Each regional office makes grants in fields that most effectively address problems in that region. In the West Africa office, we support efforts in four key areas:
Development Finance and Economic Security
Our work in this field supports efforts to broaden access to financial services for the poor. Priority is given to efforts that strengthen the capacities of financial institutions that provide microfinance and small business development services to this population to expand their operations, raise the quality and professionalism of their services and help them adopt best-practice guidelines.
Human Rights
Our efforts focus on social justice issues, securing the rights of the poor and ensuring that all West Africans enjoy fundamental human rights, in particular, their economic and social rights in safety and security. We also support strengthening and empowering social justice institutions so they can fulfill their mandate in a professional manner. Priority is given to projects that deepen public and policymakers’ understanding of these rights in the context of regional insecurity and poverty. We do this by helping to build the capacity of civil society and the media to advocate for transparent and accountable use of public resources and by addressing issues of impunity and corruption through judicial reforms and accessibility.
Media, Arts and Culture
We support efforts to strengthen the preservation and promotion of West Africa’s cultural heritage and improve the quality and quantity of media coverage and documentation of arts and culture activities. We also seek to improve public awareness of and support for the arts and culture sectors. Our grant making focuses on strengthening cultural institutions and providing support for artists and journalists.
Sexuality and Reproductive Health
Using a rights-based approach, we support efforts that tackle four key development issues in the subregion: unwholesome adolescent sexuality; HIV/AIDS; gender-based violence, including harmful customary practices; and alarming maternal morbidity and mortality levels. Grants support grass-roots outreach and advocacy, multidisciplinary research for public knowledge building, and training of relevant practitioners. We also support the demonstration and wider adoption of alternative or best-practice strategies and programs that link health education and economic empowerment interventions for vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth.