Deadline:23RD September 2026
In support of this effort, the Embassy of France is launching the 6th edition of its “Dwabo” small grants programme, with a focus on the economic inclusion and employability of persons with disabilities.
The French government is committed to eliminating barriers that hinder the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities and is deeply concerned with the strengthening of inclusive and uplifting societies. These actions contribute to broader objectives under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goals 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
This call seeks to support innovative, locally grounded projects that promote the meaningful participation and economic integration of persons with disabilities. It will prioritise initiatives that develop market-relevant skills, strengthen pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods, address barriers to labour market participation, and foster collaboration among Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society, public institutions, employers, skills development institutions and the private sector.
Priority topics include:
- Reducing barriers to the economic empowerment and employability of persons with disabilities;
- Promoting access to inclusive educational, vocational and other training environments from secondary education onward;
- Adapting educational and work environments to meet the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities (accessibility, reasonable accommodation, leveraging the use of assistive technology, etc.);
- Strengthening community awareness and capacity to identify and address barriers to the inclusion and economic participation of persons with disabilities;
- Reducing stigma, stereotypes and misconceptions about the capabilities of persons with disabilities, particularly in education, skills development, employment and entrepreneurship;
- Strengthening legal, policy and institutional frameworks that promote disability-inclusive education, skills development, employment and economic participation;
- Fostering partnerships among OPDs, CSOs, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to create sustainable pathways to employment and economic integration of persons with disabilities.
In this light, the French Embassy in Ghana is seeking high-quality project proposals that translates rights into tangible economic inclusion and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in Ghanaian society.
The following types of actions are ineligible:
- Actions concerned only or mainly with individual sponsorships for participation in workshops, seminars, conferences and congresses;
- Actions concerned only with organisation of workshops, seminars, conferences and congresses;
- Actions concerned only or mainly with individual scholarships for studies or training courses;
- Actions in the formal education sector, except in special circumstances;
- Equipment costs beyond 7% of the total budget;
- Actions supporting political parties;
- Actions which include religious proselytism;
- Actions which discriminate against individuals or groups of people on grounds of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or lack of them, or their ethnic origin;
- Actions which are in conflict with constitutional provisions.
Grant amount and duration:
Each successful project will be supported with a grant ranging from 8,000€ to 10,000€ for a duration of 12 months for project implementation.
Eligibility criteria:
Any legally registered CSO operating in Ghana may apply. Eligible organizations include:
- Legally registered and recognized CSOs in Ghana
- CSOs affiliated with established networks or coalitions
- CSOs with regional/district-level presence in Ghana or collaborating with local partners.
- CSOs with demonstrated track record in disability inclusion, economic empowerment, employability, skills development, livelihoods, entrepreneurship, education, human rights or other closely related areas.
- CSOs with demonstrated adequate organizational, technical and financial capacity to manage and account for the proposed grant, including appropriate governance and financial management and control arrangements.
Project Requirements:
Proposals should:
- Clearly define the context, objectives, beneficiaries, and measurable indicators
- Present practical and innovative solutions that are locally implementable
- Include co-financing of at least 10%
- Limit administrative/operational costs to 8% of the global budget
- Not include sitting allowances or honoraria
Preference will be given to projects implemented in disadvantaged regions, especially in Northern Ghana.
Coalition of different CSOs is welcomed but only one NGO among the coalition will receive the grant.
Projects benefiting from co-financing with other partners (NGOs, private sector, local authorities, other donors, etc.) will be favoured.
Submission guidelines:
- Required documents
- Completed Dwabo Grant Application Form
- Completed Provisional Budget form (signed, stamped, in Excel format)
- Annexes:
- Official bank letter confirming a Ghana Cedis account
- Valid certificate of Recognition (Department of Social Welfare)
- Certificate to Commence Business
- Certificate of Incorporation
- CVs of key project team members (max. 3 pages)
- Letter of support or relevant documents (max. 3 pages)
NB: All documents should be valid for 2026
Applications must not exceed 8 pages (excluding annexes). Use Calibri font, size 11.
- Submission procedure (both Hardcopy and Softcopy)
Hardcopy: Submit at the Embassy’s security point in a sealed envelope addressed to:
Alberta AMEZIAH
Project Officer – Dwabo
Embassy of France
Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra
Softcopy: All the documents must be sent through France Transfert before 23 September 2026 – 23h59.
(https://francetransfert.numerique.gouv.fr/upload). File should be named after the organization + DWABO 2026. The transfer package should be addressed to [email protected]
Both hard and soft copies must be submitted within the deadline, failure to do so will result in the application being rejected.
For more information and application.