Small Grants, Big Change: Meet the New Grant Winners Shaping Our Future

Tadala Makuluni, drone pilot from Malawi

We asked for game-changing ideas, and wow—did the world deliver! Our latest micro-grant call had applications flying in from over 70 countries, packed with bold, brainy, and brilliant ideas.

This year’s grantees are absolute powerhouses. They’re using cutting-edge tech to take on climate change, crashing through glass ceilings in fields where women definitely need more representation, and creating life-changing opportunities for marginalized communities. And the best part? Many of them found us through social media and translation tools—proof that when you combine a great idea with the right support, the possibilities are endless.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY GRANT

Laura Quiñonez, a single mother and entrepreneur from Ecuador, supports her family through agriculture and volunteers to uplift vulnerable communities. As a volunteer with the Fundación de Desarrollo Integral y Amparo Social Caluma , Laura is committed to helping vulnerable groups in her community.

With our Giving Joy grant, Laura and eight other volunteer women will transform plant waste—such as cocoa shells, bijao leaves, and banana leaves—into organic packaging for local food products like sweets, chocolates, chicken tongas, and fish buns.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS GRANT

Afshan Mehmood, a Pakistani electrical engineer and climate activist, founded The Rising World, to promote sustainability and community development. She has led climate campaigns and developed energy solutions locally and internationally.

With our Giving Joy grant, Afshan will support 120 girls in Pakistan in solar energy basics, panel installation, and DIY solar projects. This initiative bridges the gender gap in STEM, empowering girls to lead in renewable energy. Each participant will share her skills, potentially impacting over 480 people in one year, advancing clean energy and climate action.

SOCIAL EQUALITY GRANT

Emmanuella Akinola, a social entrepreneur and Disability Inclusion Professional, co-founded Accesstech Innovation and Research Centre to bridge the digital divide for people with disabilities in Nigeria. Inspired by her visually impaired husband, she is dedicated to empowering blind individuals through technology.

With the Giving Joy grant, Emmanuella will build the capacity of 20 blind and visually impaired young women in digital literacy, equipping them with essential skills in screen-reading software and Microsoft tools to access education, secure jobs, and build businesses.

INNOVATION GRANT

Tadala Makuluni, an environmentalist and drone pilot from Malawi, is transforming technology into a tool for sustainability. As the founder of Nyasa Aerial Data Solutions, she leverages drones for forest restoration, disaster response, and environmental monitoring.

With our Giving Joy grant, Tadala will launch a training program to equip 20 young women in Malawi with hands-on drone piloting and GIS skills. This initiative will provide technical training, mentorship, and career connections—empowering women as leaders in climate resilience and environmental innovation.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT

The Kharkiv NGO Association of Community Initiatives Support “ASSA” supports women, children, and youth through education and community-building. Amid the war in Ukraine, it has adapted to aid internally displaced persons (IDPs) with psychological support and social integration.

With our Giving Joy grant, ASSA will train war-affected women in Kharkiv, with job-ready skills in fields like IT, auto mechanics, and financial literacy. The program will connect women with employment opportunities, boosting economic security and social cohesion.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS GRANT

Yankho Mkwapatira is a sex worker and founder of Liwonde Female Sex Workers Alliance (LIFESA) - a platform fighting rights of female sex workers community groups in Machinga, Malawi.

With our Giving Joy grant, LIFESA will organize a solidarity parade to demand an end to unlawful arrests under the unconstitutional "Rogue and Vagabonding" law. The initiative includes rights training, violation documentation, and a monitoring committee to prevent abuse by law enforcement.

Learn more about all our new winners HERE.