World Renew has been awarded The SEEP Network Innovation Fund as part of the Women Saving for Resilience program.
After receiving nearly 300 proposals for the Women’s Savings for Resilience Innovation Fund, The SEEP Network conducted an extensive review and selected five recipients: DreamStart Labs, ElleSolaire, Global Communities, World Renew, and the Zoological Society of London. Each recipient received funding in recognition of its gender-intentional COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, particularly those supporting women and savings groups.
Globally, approximately 80% of savings group members are women. Together, World Renew and the other award recipients are advancing important work related to women’s livelihoods, voice and leadership, prevention of violence against women, digital savings groups, crisis and emergency risk communication, access to finance, and clean energy.
Strengthening Women’s Savings Groups in Uganda
World Renew is using support from The SEEP Network to build and strengthen 13 Cluster Level Associations (CLAs) in Uganda. The initiative aims to enhance the capacity of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to respond to the gendered impacts of COVID-19 and strengthen community resilience.
These CLAs advocate for the prevention of gender-based violence through the Stepping Stones methodology, improve women’s access to and control over resources, and expand members’ access to public and private service providers in the region. Lessons learned through the project are being consolidated into a practical, gender-intentional facilitation toolkit for CLAs.
“We’re thrilled with the news of this award,” says World Renew U.S. Director Carol Bremer-Bennett. “World Renew’s programming in Uganda is well established and has a strong track record of equipping women with the tools they need to change the story of poverty for themselves and their families.”
“To have that work recognized and bolstered through the generous support of The SEEP Network and, specifically, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is not only a wonderful honour, but also a pivotal step in transforming the economic trajectory for the next generation of women in these communities and building resilience for savings groups and their members during times of crisis.”
Advancing Women’s Economic Opportunity Around the World
Women’s savings groups play a vital role in helping families increase income, manage risk, and build resilience in times of crisis. Through support from The SEEP Network Innovation Fund, World Renew is strengthening women-led savings groups in Uganda and helping local leaders expand access to financial resources, services, and opportunities for lasting change.
This initiative is part of World Renew’s broader work to create economic opportunity and strengthen livelihoods in communities around the world. Discover more about our Economic Opportunity programs, or learn how Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) empower people to save, invest in their futures, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
