Investing in equality: MDG 3 Fund

‘It’s unacceptable that people are discriminated and subordinated because of their gender.’
Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister for Development Co-operation

‘Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women’, the third Millennium Development Goal is a priority of the Dutch government. More action is needed to truly create a society where men and women are equal and enjoy the same rights and opportunities. Women struggle for equal rights, economic justice and a safe environment. Often with limited financial means but with a strong commitment and interest. For themselves, their families and their communities. Worldwide there is a fight against poverty, but special attention needs to be given to violence and discrimination against women.

Concrete action is called for to achieve equality between women and men. As a result Dutch NGO’s, companies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have decided to put their back into the fund: MDG3 Fund: Investing in Equality. Each provides a unique contribution to the realization of Millennium Development Goal 3.

Investing in Equality

The main objective of the fund is to support activities that lead to concrete results with regard to improved rights and opportunities for women. The UN has formulated seven priorities to realize MDG3.1 The fund contributes to these priorities, with emphasis on:

property and inheritance rights for women;
gender equality in employment and equal opportunities on the labour market;
participation and representation of women in national parliaments and political bodies;
combating violence against women.

Priority target groups are:

women and girls in situations of conflict;
marginalized women;
adolescents.

The total budget of the fund is € 50 million, available for multi-year proposals.

Who can apply?

There will be one call for proposals in March. Is your organisation working with (women’s) groups and do you have specific activities on equal rights, law enforcement or activities that increase gender equality and strengthen the position of women? Have a look if these conditions are applicable for your organisation:

you are a non-governmental organisation or company operating at national, regional or international level;
you can demonstrate that you have a support base in the countries where the activities are funded and implemented;
your activities will be implemented in one or more countries of the DAC list (check website);
you can submit your proposal in either Dutch or English (background information in Spanish and French will be accepted).

Who are excluded?

The signatories of the fund and UN bodies;
organisations already receiving a subsidy from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For more details on the criteria visit the website: www.MDG3.nl

The MDG3 Fund: Investing in Equality is being administered and monitored by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The application form can be sent to:

PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory N.V.
Attn. MDG3 Fund
Prinses Margrietplantsoen 46
P.O. Box 30715
2500 GS The Hague
Phone: +31 70 3426530
Fax: +31 70 3426535
E-mail: info@MDG3.nl

More information:
www.minbuza.nl/mdg3fund
www.MDG3.nl