Innovative Peace Fund (IPF)

The first and only independent, multi-donor, global grantmaking mechanism wholly dedicated to providing financial support and technical assistance to women-led peacebuilding organizations in countries affected by violent conflict, extremism, and militarism.

Funder: International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) in partnership with the Women's Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) and key donors

Established: Co-designed and launched in 2015

Impact to Date

• Total Disbursed: $11,132,037
• Number of Grants: 235 grants
• Partner Organizations: 65 women-led peacebuilding organizations
• Geographic Reach: 26 countries

Geographic Scope

Global focus on countries affected by violent conflict, extremism, and militarism. Recent supported organizations include partners in:

• Iraq
• Syria/Turkey
• Afghanistan
• South Sudan
• Myanmar
• Colombia

Focus Areas

• Women-led peacebuilding
• Inclusive peacemaking
• Gender and extremisms
• Protection of peacebuilders
• Political participation and leadership of women
• Refugee integration and support
• Community reconciliation and reintegration
• Psychosocial support and economic empowerment

Funding Types Offered

1. Activity-Based Funding: Supports activity-based projects for existing or new projects
2. Flexible Funding: Supports institutional strengthening and sustainability with flexibility to adapt programs and build institutional capacities
3. Rapid Response Funding: Short-term funding providing immediate support for urgent needs (e.g., protection, participation, natural disasters)
4. General Funding: Temporary support to sustain organizations during times when ongoing projects or funding have been interrupted

Philosophy

• Values partners' agency and creativity in determining interventions responsive to community needs
• Frames appetite for risk as appetite for trust—trust in partners' wisdom, judgment, and their access and trust within communities
• Non-prescriptive approach; does not impose agendas on partners

Contact Information

Location: Washington D.C., USA

Additional Resources

• Operational guidance on improving grantmaking practices to women's peacebuilding organizations available
• Feminist funding advocacy and policy analysis work conducted

Application Process

Detailed step-by-step application procedures are not provided in the available website content. For application information, contact ICAN directly:

Contact: info@icanpeacework.org

Additional Information

• Prospective applicants are women-led peacebuilding organizations in countries affected by violent conflict, extremism, and militarism
• Different funding types (Activity-Based, Flexible, Rapid Response, General) may have different application requirements and timelines
• The IPF provides both financial support and technical assistance