Fund4Participation
Removing financial barriers to meaningful participation of women and youth in international peace and security processes.
Fund4Participation is Ágora's innovative funding mechanism designed to remove the financial barriers that prevent women and youth — particularly from the Global South — from meaningfully participating in international peace and security decision-making processes.
Despite commitments to inclusive participation in peace processes, financial constraints remain one of the most significant barriers preventing civil society representatives, especially women and young people from developing countries, from attending and contributing to UN forums, treaty negotiations, and policy discussions.
The Problem
Financial Barriers
Travel costs, visa fees, accommodation, and registration expenses make international participation prohibitive for grassroots organizations and individual advocates from the Global South.
Representation Gap
Without financial support, the voices heard in international forums disproportionately represent well-funded Northern organizations, creating a democratic deficit in global governance.
Lost Expertise
Communities most affected by conflict and insecurity are often the least represented in the spaces where decisions about their futures are made.
Our Approach
- Direct Financial Support: Covering travel, accommodation, and registration costs for selected participants
- Capacity Building: Pre-event preparation sessions to maximize the impact of participation
- Mentorship: Connecting first-time participants with experienced advocates who can guide their engagement
- Follow-up Support: Post-event resources to help participants translate their experience into local advocacy
- Network Building: Creating lasting connections between funded participants for ongoing collaboration
Key Features
Intersectional Selection
Priority given to applicants facing multiple barriers — women of color, Indigenous women, LGBTQ+ advocates, disabled activists, and those from conflict-affected areas.
Flexible Funding
Recognizing that participation costs vary by context, the fund offers flexible support packages tailored to individual needs rather than one-size-fits-all grants.
Impact Tracking
Monitoring how funded participation translates into policy influence, network building, and local advocacy outcomes to demonstrate the value of inclusive participation.
Sustainability Model
Building a sustainable funding model through partnerships with governments, foundations, and international organizations committed to inclusive multilateralism.