Solutions to climate change exist on the frontlines of the battle to save our planet. Grassroots women leaders are already stepping up to the challenge. Global Greengrants stands in solidarity with these leaders and promotes their rights to, and solutions for a safe, healthy, and clean environment.
Global Greengrants supports over 300 women-led projects per year to protect the planet, making us one of the top organizations in the world supporting women’s environmental-action initiatives.
Since 2014, we have increased our support of projects that address the unequal and gendered impacts of environmental damage. More than half of our total budget now goes to these ends, and we aren’t stopping there.
Global Greengrants also actively advocates for increased funding of grassroots women’s environmental projects sharing expertise and recommendations on how funders can increase the amount of resources going to the intersection of women’s rights and the environment.
But why women? In case you need convincing, here are five reasons:
- Women play a critical role in protecting natural resources: Not only do women have long histories protecting forests, but they help defend against carbon emissions and climate change independently and in conjunction with other members of their communities.
- Women help lay the groundwork for future generations: Learn how these women in Gomba, Uganda built filters to provide their children with clean drinking water.
- Indigenous women are fighting to ensure the survival of their families and communities: In Vanuatu, women are serving their community as resource monitors, measuring the impact of climate change on their islands.
- Together, women protect not only natural resources, but each other: These women in South Sudan trained female community members to use solar cookstoves, lowering instances of violence against women and preserving local forests.
- Even under threat, they stand up for the planet: Berta Cáceres was murdered for her efforts to protect the Lenca people of Honduras from the impacts of the Agua Zarca dam. Many women just like Berta are under threat for their activism and work to stand up for their rights to land, clean water, air and soil. We continue to support them.
While it is clear that women play an important role as environmental defenders, a gap in funding exists to support women in their efforts to protect the environment. Learn more about the opportunity to create greater impact and ensure a healthy and equitable world for all.