TRANSFORM
What is TRANSFORM
TRANSFORM is ActionAid’s new fund for movements and collectives led by and for women. It provides flexible and long-term grants, shifting power into the hands of historically marginalised women who are often closest to some of the most pressing challenges of our times. Partners who receive a grant can use it as needed – whether to hire new staff, construct a new building, pay for rent, launch a campaign or anything else that helps them reach their goals. The money can be used for one, some or all of these things – it’s up to them to decide.
Why have we created TRANSFORM?
Across the world, women – especially those pushed to the fringes – are at the forefront of movements for change. From demanding action on the climate crisis to winning back traditional lands, from ending child marriage to building sustainable peace – women are pioneering progress while resisting coordinated campaigns to intimidate, attack and silence them. And they do this with little to no resources.
We spoke to over 300 women’s rights organisations across 65 countries, almost all of whom said that chronic underfunding was the biggest barrier they faced to carrying out their vital work. For instance, only 0.1% of global funding goes to black-led women’s, girls’ and trans people’s groups (Black Feminist Fund). The truth is, the current aid infrastructure is dying. A new way of resourcing these movements is needed, one that is flexible and agile enough to spur true resistance and revolution. With TRANSFORM we join a community of grant-makers committed to filling this huge financial void and supporting the most disenfranchised women to create radical change for good.
We need to not only change funding practices, but also revolutionise the underlying narratives that justify them, while paying increasing attention to the redistribution of power in decision making.
– ActionAid UK TRANSFORM strategy
Why us?
At ActionAid, our global presence has enabled us to build relationships with women’s rights organisations and feminist movements across the world. Our knowledge of countries, context and people gives us the confidence to absorb risk on both sides – whether among partners in country or UK donors. In short, we take the risk so you don’t have to.
Explore TRANSFORM's work
[Intro: overview of pilot countries.]
Haiti
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Colombia
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Indonesia
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Nigeria
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India
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Key facts
As authoritarianism has risen, governments have rolled back rights and slashed aid budgets. Today, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population lives under closed or repressive regimes, where civil society freedoms are under sustained attack (CIVICUS). Women, especially those from historically oppressed groups, are the hardest hit.
Only 0.1% of global funding goes to black-led women’s, girls’ and trans people’s groups (Black Feminist Fund).
99% of gender-related international aid fails to reach women’s rights and feminist organisations directly (AWID).
Just 1% of gender-focused aid reaches Southern-led feminist groups (AWID).
No data exists re: how much funding goes directly to groups led by and for minoritised women.
At ActionAid UK, we need a more accurate picture of how much of our funding goes to women’s rights organisations and feminist movements – an oversight we want to rectify with TRANSFORM.
Page updated 6 July 2026