4 June 2025 — Amid growing anti-rights and anti-gender sentiment across the region, the Marang Fund is proud to announce its inaugural Call for Applications to support LGBTIQ-led organisations in Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia.
A partnership between Gender Links and The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) with the support of the European Commission, the fund offers grants of up to €50,000 over two years for bold, community-rooted work that advances legal rights, deepens psychosocial support, and builds resilient LGBTIQ movements.
“In a time when our bodies, lives and truths are under attack, resourcing African LGBTIQ movements is not only urgent—it is sacred,” says Marang Fund Programme Manager Lusanda Mamba. “ The Marang Fund was birthed by and for us, rooted in feminist principles of care, solidarity, and collective power. We are not waiting for permission to exist or to lead. We know that when African queers organise, we birth futures that are freer, more just, and deeply grounded in love.”
Applications are now open via an online portal and close on Monday, 30 June 2025 at 11:59 PM (SAST). The application process is accessible in English and French, with local support sessions scheduled between 16–20 June 2025. Virtual briefing sessions will be held:
- English: Monday 9 June 2025 – 12:00PM – 1:00PM (SAST)
Meeting URL: https://genderlinks-org-za.zoom.us/j/83126181320
Meeting ID: 831 2618 1320
Time: 12PM – 1:00PM SAST
- French: Tuesday 10 June 2025 – 1:00PM – 2:00PM (SAST)
Meeting URL: https://genderlinks-org-za.zoom.us/j/89468431152
Meeting ID: 894 6843 1152
Time: 1:00PM – 2:00PM SAST
Eligible applicants include LGBTIQ-led or LGBTIQ-mandated non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations, including those working with a registered fiscal host.
The Fund prioritises work in legal aid, psychosocial support, public education, human rights documentation, policy engagement, and movement building. Only one application per organisation will be accepted, and funding is limited to activities within the five eligible countries.
This launch comes at a critical moment. As LGBTIQ movements navigate an unstable and under-resourced funding landscape, and as many African states enact or consider regressive laws targeting sexual and gender minorities, African-led and regionally grounded responses are more critical than ever. The Marang Fund is a testament to the resilience of African queer movements and a commitment to resourcing our resistance and reimagination. It is both a lifeline and a catalyst for collective liberation.
For applications, eligibility details, and FAQs, visit:
https://genderlinksgmu.org.za/marang/
Marang Fund FAQs
The application can be accessed in English and French here:
https://diversityandinclusion-sa.awardsplatform.com
Media enquiries:
marangprogmanager@genderlinks.org.za