Asia Gender Equality Fund 2.0

Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Climate Action

SECOND PHASE

Round Two of The Asia Gender Equality Fund

Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and women and girls bear the brunt of its impact. Existing gender inequalities are amplified, jeopardising women's livelihoods, health, and safety.

Recognising this urgency, Round Two of the Asia Gender Equality Fund is dedicated to mobilising bold and equitable investments towards gender-just climate action and interventions. These interventions will address the distinct challenges women face due to climate change and empower them to achieve economic security.

Selected Grantees

AVPN has selected three exceptional non-profit organisations as recipients of the Asia Gender Equality Fund Round 2. These organisations are working across agriculture, land use, and waste management, creating economic opportunities for women while addressing climate challenges.

By placing women at the heart of climate action, these initiatives are not just improving livelihoods but also building stronger, more resilient communities. Their work highlights the deep connection between gender equality and environmental sustainability, reinforcing the idea that when women progress, society as a whole benefi ts.

testimonials

"We're so excited to be selected for the AVPN Gender Equality Fund. With the support of this grant, we will be able to scale up our impactful Paryavaran Sakhi model and empower an additional 100 Sakhis from rural parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal to generate dignified livelihoods while at the same time addressing the extremely critical problem of waste management in this eco-sensitive region. This grant will also strengthen Waste Warriors to address the larger problem in the region by investing in our enabling functions, in our leadership capacity building, technology, and enable us to scale our partnerships with other organizations in the Indian Himalayan region."

"The unrestricted grant will enable SCF to sustain and expand its economic, decent work, and climate adaptation model over the next three years, reaching 3,500 women vulnerable to climate change and economic deprivation. This funding will allow SCF to extend its work from 1,050 women cotton workers to an additional 3,500 beneficiaries in literacy and income generation, expanding into two new climate-affected districts, Sanghar and Thatta, while continuing efforts in the existing district. Moreover, 300 women will receive seed materials to start home-based businesses, helping them combat poverty and manage off-season challenges. The grant will also facilitate the implementation of climate adaptation and resilience training, strengthening the resilience of women in coastal and flood-prone areas."

"With generous funding from AVPN, Yayasan CARE Peduli will support 10 local women’s groups in coastal communities of Likupang, North Sulawesi, and Bintan, Riau Islands, Indonesia. This initiative will help restore degraded mangrove ecosystems by planting a total of 100,000 mangroves. Our goal is to diversify women's livelihoods and strengthen marine protected area programs across both locations, covering an estimated 1.198.422,66 hectares. The participating women’s groups will be further empowered through the formation of a Women Warriors Network for landscape restoration. This effort aligns with Indonesia’s NDC targets for 2030, promotes the blue economy, advances SDG 5 on gender equality, and supports the Indonesia Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2045."

Together Strong

Collaborative Philanthropy for Lasting Change

Asia Gender Equality Pooled Fund is more than a funding initiative – it is a platform for systemic transformation. By mobilising capital, convening funders and investing in grassroots leadership, we are unlocking new pathways for gender equity and climate action.

Through strategic funding and capacity-building programmes, we are equipping organisations with the tools to scale their solutions and create lasting impact.

Learn more about the Fund and how collaborations can drive positive change. We welcome opportunities to connect you with relevant resources and expertise.

Together, we can create a future where every woman has the opportunity, resources, and agency to thrive.

About the Asia Gender Equality Fund (Round 1)

AVPN’s most ambitious initiative to date, the Asia Gender Equality Fund, aims to raise and deploy USD 25 million within the next five years to support transformative initiatives and solutions by non-profit organisations, focusing on improving economic outcomes for women and girls in Asia. Initiated in 2023, with support from Fondation CHANEL, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, KKR and members of AVPN’s Asia Gender Network, in Round One, we were able to provide flexible, multi-year funding to eight nonprofits across eight markets in Asia, working to improve economic outcomes for women and girls in the region.