The Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN) is dedicated to advancing early childhood development by empowering grassroots organizations, advocacy groups, and community-led networks to strengthen their advocacy efforts. This approach recognizes that sustainable change is most effective when driven by local actors who understand community needs, can mobilize support from the ground up, and hold decision-makers accountable to policies and investments that prioritize the wellbeing of young children.
As part of our commitment to strengthening advocacy for young children across Africa, we invite expressions of interest that align with the following thematic areas. Selected initiatives will contribute to evidence generation, capacity building, and policy influence in support of early childhood development (ECD):
Maternal Mental Wellbeing: The focus here is on initiatives that promote maternal mental health as a key advocacy issue—particularly during pregnancy and the early parenting period. This includes innovative models, community-driven programs, or research efforts that can inform policies, raise awareness, and mobilize support for integrating maternal wellbeing into national ECD agendas.
Scalable and Contextual Childcare Models: This area focuses on advocating for accessible, community-based childcare solutions that are adaptable to diverse African contexts. Projects should emphasize quality standards, workforce development, and demonstrate potential for influencing policy and investment in childcare systems.
Translation of Evidence into Policy Action: We seek initiatives that actively work to bridge the gap between research, programmatic learning, and policy influence in early childhood development. This includes efforts to package data and evidence into advocacy tools, develop policy briefs, organize evidence-sharing dialogues, and engage stakeholders in decision-making processes. Proposals should demonstrate how evidence is being used to influence policies, shift narratives, or inform strategic investments in ECD at local, national, or regional levels.
Strengthening Grassroots Networks for ECD Advocacy: We aim to support the growth and coordination of grassroots and community-led ECD networks that are actively engaged in advocacy. Expressions of interest should highlight efforts to build local capacity, foster collective action, and promote locally driven influence on national and regional ECD decision-making processes.
Proposal structure
The application should be a maximum of 5 pages containing the following components:
Description of the organization (Name, area of operation, contact person, type of organization and website or social media)
The definition and justification of the problem to be addressed including the community affected, the country and the geography of intended intervention.
The key objectives and expected outcomes
A detailed implementation plan including proposed activities, timelines and dissemination plans.
Organizational capacity and partnerships; briefly describe your experience in advocacy and/or ECD, and any existing partnerships relevant to the initiative.
A budget up to a maximum of USD 10,000
Eligibility criteria
These funds are intended for supporting grassroots advocacy efforts to raise awareness and looking to make a difference young child development in the Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria
Applicants must be networks or advocacy groups, grassroots organizations, professional associations, registered women’s groups, or coalitions of ECD actors with demonstrable experience in the thematic areas outlined above.
Proven working experience in community-based interventions or promotion/outreach activities and/or other relevant activities related to early childhood development.
Evidence of strong partnership with local communities, local authorities and/or government agencies in previous activities
Be registered with a clear governance structure.
Have a secretariat that runs the day-to-day affairs.
Be based in either Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria
Duration of the Award
The tenure of the seed grant will be for a duration of one year
Application Process
Send in your application with the subject line: “Advocacy Seed Grant 2025” by 1st September 2025 to the following email: seedgrants@afecn.org
You will be required to attach the following documents:
Cover letter stating how the grant aligns with your strategic plan and motivation for application.
Project proposal of not more than 5 pages including a detailed time and workplan.
Fill out and attach Appendix 1