top of page

What is FREE​ GROW

The FREE Fund invests in sustainable solutions to enhance economic resilience and empower adolescent girls, young women, and their communities. FREE is envisioned as a pooled funding mechanism designed to support the needs of adolescent girls and young women.

 

The first iteration of FREE Grow will focus specifically on women and girls in the floriculture, tea, and coffee sectors in East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania).

woman-working-nurturing.png

VISION & MISSION

FREE GROW will support proposals that advance women’s economic resilience in value chains and align with the vision and mission of the Fund. 

VISION

Through this fund, women are empowered to thrive in agricultural value chains through advancing gender equality practices and promoting economic and climate resilience. 

MISSION

FREE Grow invests in local organisations that use intersectional approaches to advance gender equality in agricultural communities connected to global value chains.

Untitled design (4).png

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

FREE is making decisions using participatory grantmaking models where an Advisory Committee comprised of five women leaders and regional panels of young women have the power over funding decisions. By creating a more equitable granting model, the Fund will be more likely to identify and choose the most effective programmes and support them in achieving maximum impact.

 

Between our Advisory Committee, who is making key decisions about eligibility criteria and grantmaking, and these regional panels, the applications will go through an anonymous screening process to ensure fairness in the selection process.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Advisory Committee is comprised of women from East Africa who are making key decisions about the FREE Fund to ensure a fair process. The Regional Peer Panellists are also women from the target countries who review and score the applications. All members of the committee and panel were selected based on their expertise in grantmaking, gender justice, feminist principles, inclusion and economic empowerment. The Advisory Committee and Regional Peer Panellists have committed to a Conflict of Interest statement that will guide their decision-making process within their FREE Fund responsibilities.

IMG_8904_edited.png
esther muhia -kenya
IMG_8878_edited.png
Hadijah Nankanja -Uganda
IMG_8863_edited_edited.png
Hibiete tesfaye - ethiopia
IMG_8882_edited.png
solange umutoni- rwanda
IMG_8875_edited.png
katusime kafanabo - tanzania

Regional Peer PanelistS

Green (1).png
image_edited.png
Green (1).png
image.png
Honorine Utamuriza -Rwanda
Fathila Nanozi -Uganda
Green (1).png
image.png
Green (1).png
image_edited.png
Cynthia Cheshari- Kenya
Samrawit Solomon -Ethiopia
Green (1).png
image.png
Elizabeth Kiende Njenga -Kenya
Green (1).png
image_edited.png
Glory Sandewa-Tanzania
Green (1).png
image.png
Mireille Kazungu -Rwanda
Green (1).png
image.png
Mastewal Habtamu -Ethiopia
Green (1).png
image_edited.png
Patricia Humura-Uganda
bottom of page