About the opportunity
SPARK — Shifting Power through Action and Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange — is a grant program launched by the WHO/IBP Network designed to put communities at the centre of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and rights work. SPARK invests directly in youth-led, women-led, and indigenous-led community-based organizations that are reimagining how WHO guidelines and tools are disseminated, adapted, and applied in real-world settings. The program seeks to fund 5 to 10 organizations globally, aiming to reach at least one organization per WHO region, with a one-year implementation timeline per grant.
Funding and benefits
- Direct, flexible grant funding of up to USD $20,000 per grant.
- Technical support from the WHO/IBP Network and access to relevant WHO SRMNCAH guidelines and tools.
- Connection to IBP's global Communities of Practice for peer exchange and learning (including WHO Guidelines, Adolescent, Women’s Health, and Powershifting CoPs).
- Opportunities to document and showcase work to a global SRMNCAH audience.
Who can apply?
- Youth-led, women-led, or indigenous-led organizations.
- Community-based organisations working directly with the populations they serve.
- Organisations that have been operating for at least 2 years.
- Organisations with implementation experience using at least one WHO guideline, tool, or product previously.
- Priority given to organizations new to WHO/IBP Network funding mechanisms that demonstrate strong community accountability and leadership.
Required documents
- Initial concept note of no more than 500 words (including organizational overview, proposed activity, power-shifting approach, proposed budget, timeline, and documentation/learning plan).
- Financial statements (requested from shortlisted applicants).
- One letter of support (requested from shortlisted applicants).
- WHO requirements documents for working with non-state actors (requested from shortlisted applicants).
When to apply
- Applications opened on 17 September 2026.
- Application deadline is 9 October 2026.
How to apply
- Prepare an initial concept note of no more than 500 words covering organizational overview, proposed activity, power-shifting approach, budget up to $20,000, implementation timeline, and documentation and learning plan.
- Submit the concept note through the official online application link provided by the WHO/IBP Network in English, French, or Spanish.
- Await review; shortlisted applicants may be asked to submit formal proposals including financial statements, a letter of support, and compliance documents.
Additional information
- Applications may be submitted in English, French, or Spanish.
- For inquiries, applicants can contact ibpnetwork@who.int.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Grassroots and community organizations led by youth, women, or indigenous groups who actively adapt global public health tools to local settings.
- Teams seeking flexible funding paired with structured international networking and Communities of Practice access rather than restrictive sub-contracting.
- Organizations with at least two years of operational history looking to scale their community-led health integration work with global backing.
What should you think carefully about?
- The 500-word limit for concept notes requires concise, highly focused project scoping across multiple mandatory domains.
- The one-year project duration means proposed activities must be realistic, highly actionable, and capable of rapid execution.
- Competition is expected to be high given the limited number of grants available (5 to 10 worldwide).
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This opportunity is ideal for community-based organizations seeking to amplify their local sexual and reproductive health initiatives through international recognition, peer-to-peer global learning, and direct institutional backing from the WHO/IBP Network.
Our take
Youth-led, women-led, and indigenous-led community organizations with prior experience applying WHO health guidelines should strongly consider applying before the October deadline, while groups lacking established local operational history or health implementation experience may find it less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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