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WEE-DiFine Announces its Third Request For Proposals

Following two successful requests for proposals (RFPs), BIGD’s Women’s Economic Empowerment and Digital Finance (WEE-DiFine) Initiative has launched its third RFP in tandem with important updates. 

WEE-DiFine’s third RFP will accept proposals for all grant categories: large grants are available for greenfield evaluations and extensions to existing studies, and small grants for measurement studies, qualitative studies, and pilot studies. Teams may also apply for a large grant in conjunction with a qualitative or measurement study grant, or for more than one funding category within the small grants categories. 

Updates to WEE-DiFine’s scope, processes, and offerings  

For the first time, WEE-DiFine will accept proposals for studies in Southeast Asia in addition to proposals concentrated in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This expansion is motivated by the region’s pronounced gender gap in financial inclusion. Specifically, 12% (117 million) of the 1.2 billion women globally who do not use a bank account reside in four countries in Southeast Asia – Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Studies in Southeast Asia can further expand evidence on the interplay between digital financial services and women’s economic empowerment.

In addition to expanding our regions of focus, the Initiative has taken several steps to listen, learn, and iterate. In September 2021, we surveyed teams that submitted to one of our first two RFPs or who started but ultimately did not submit a proposal. We learned that while the majority of applicants found the proposal cover letter,  two-page CV, and letter of support easy to prepare, 32% of applicants reported that the technical proposal and budget were either very difficult or difficult to complete. Participants also requested more feedback and support in the proposal development process. 

Based on this feedback, WEE-DiFine has updated certain submissions criteria to be more applicant-friendly. Additionally, we will offer coaching calls by appointment and drop-in office hours to support applicants.

For office hours, please see the schedule above and join the Zoom link on the appropriate date/time. Teams interested in technical or budget coaching calls can sign up using these links. WEE-DiFine also plans to offer opportunities for feedback to all unsuccessful proposals. 

Applicants are encouraged to consult the full RFP package, including the white paper and budgetary guidelines. Applications for RFP 3 are accepted until March 3, 2022.


Sata Diakite is a Research, Innovation, & Learning Intern at BRAC USA.

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