The British Council has awarded 31 Gender Equality Partnerships Grants to the 2025 cohort across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa. These grants aim to drive collaborative projects between UK Universities and Sub-Saharan African (SSA) higher education systems by addressing gender disparities and strengthening institutional responses.
Delivering collaborative grants between UK Universities and Institutions in the four SSA countries of up to £25,000 per selected project, is one of the most effective ways to support gender mainstreaming and transformation efforts on the continent.
'I am proud of our Gender Equality Partnerships Grants scheme that is enabling meaningful collaborations between universities in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. The projects are addressing gender inequalities in higher education, helping to tackle pressing issues such as gender-based violence, slow policy implementation, and limited employability support for female students. We hope to achieve real impact in fostering more inclusive Higher Education institutions and systems across SSA' – Meekness Lunga-Ayidu, Regional Director, Higher Education, SSA.
The grants empower institutions in both the UK and targeted countries to address pressing gender equality challenges through collaborative research initiatives. By providing funding directly to winning beneficiaries ensures the projects are driven by the needs and priorities of diverse communities, leading to more contextually relevant and impactful outcomes.
Secondly, the grants help to support research and action projects focused on key themes, such as violence prevention, leadership representation, career pathways and STEM education.
Lastly, the grants serve as catalysts for transformation, by fostering innovative approaches to addressing gender inequality. Encouraging interdisciplinary and intersectional research collaborations stimulates new ideas and methodologies that challenge existing norms and promote more inclusive and equitable practices.
These grants stand out from other awards due to a recognition of the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives into research. The collaborative nature of these grants encourages a holistic approach that blends lived experiences with empirical evidence to unearth deeper truths and foster more inclusive and impactful outcomes.
“Gender Equality Partnerships is an important intervention, as it provides opportunities for higher education institutions to undertake projects that focus on gender equality and enables collaborations that explore the commonality, as well as the diversity, of issues globally, all while drawing on learning, good practice and experience of the UK and the targeted countries.” Gill Cowell, Head Gender Equality, British Council.
The Gender Equality Partnerships Grants have become a key catalyst for building inclusive, sustainable higher education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has grown from just five partnerships between the UK and three other countries, to a thriving global network of 70 collaborative projects, spanning 120 institutions and 12 countries.
"Three years on from the launch…we have already instigated significant change, demonstrated by the sheer range of impact across the world – from tackling sexual and gender-based violence on university campuses…through new national training materials, to providing safe spaces for female leaders…to explore their personal experiences, leading to new leadership networks”. Maddalaine Ansell, Director Education, British Council.
Now in its third year, the 2025 grant’s focus is aimed at transforming African Higher Education across four strategic themes:
- Violence prevention and creation of safe spaces
- Women in leadership
- Access and desegregation of STEM subjects
- Pathways to employment
Through the selected joint research projects, Gender Equality Partnerships aims to achieve a range of strategic outcomes in 2025, including empowering women in political, social and economic spheres, improving employability outcomes, and increasing women’s participation in leadership positions and STEM fields.
Outcomes already emerging from previous rounds of grants include revised institutional gender policies, new mentorship structures, and enhanced support services for students and staff.
“One thing that the capacity building has helped me with is never to hide my voice at the slightest hint of sexual harassment. Also, talking to the opposite sex about some signs of harassment that they may not think is a big deal.” Professor Ayo Ayodele, Lagos State University.
What makes the programme special is how it brings people and institutions together, strengthens their bonds, as well as supports them along the way. This means that the research and actions they take truly represent the rich diversity of perspectives involved.
The impact and potential impact is not just at an individual level, but at the institutional level. Because of the work, commitment, enthusiasm as well as resilience of the individuals involved in these projects, polices are being written and implemented, learning materials are being formulated, access is being opened, while safe, inviting and empowering spaces are being created. Brenda Giles, Programme Director Going Global Partnerships, British Council.