The L’Oréal Fund for Women has opened applications for its 2026 funding cycle, which supports organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls globally.
Established in 2020 , the Fund has backed more than 530 grassroots and international organizations, reaching over 4.8 million women and girls globally. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to meeting urgent humanitarian needs while tackling the structural barriers that limit women’s rights and opportunities.
Following its initial phase (2020–2023), the Fund was renewed for an additional three years, running from 2023 to 2026, with a dedicated budget of €30 million, reinforcing L’Oréal’s long-term commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and social justice.
Why Investing in Women Matters
Despite progress in global development, women remain disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and economic insecurity.
In 2024, an estimated 24.3 million more women than men are expected to live in extreme poverty. At current rates, ending extreme poverty among women could take 137 years.
Nearly one in three women worldwide, about 736 million , has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once.
Only 4 percent of bilateral international aid is primarily dedicated to programmes supporting women, despite their heightened vulnerability during crises.
These realities underscore the urgent need for targeted funding that places women and girls at the centre of humanitarian and development responses.
Priority Areas of Support
The L’Oréal Fund for Women focuses on organizations delivering direct and measurable impact for women and girls affected by:
Extreme poverty and economic exclusion
Sexual and gender-based violence
Armed conflict and forced displacement
Limited access to education, healthcare, and decent work
By supporting both local grassroots groups and international NGOs, the Fund ensures that interventions are context-specific, inclusive, and sustainable.
Women in Conflict and Crisis Settings
Armed conflict dramatically increases risks for women and girls, including displacement, exploitation, and violence. Over the past three years, more than 6.1 million people have fled Ukraine, making it the largest displacement crisis since World War II.
63 percent of displaced people from Ukraine are women and children.
257 million women live in countries where armed conflict heightens the risk of sexual violence.
In such contexts, women often face sexual abuse, trafficking, psychological trauma, and severe barriers to education, healthcare, and livelihoods.
Partnerships Driving Impact
The Fund collaborates with trusted partners including humanitarian agencies, civil society organizations, and UN bodies such as UNHCR and UNICEF. Together, they provide:
Emergency shelter and medical care
Psychological and legal support
Assistance for survivors of sexual violence
Anti-trafficking services
Access to education, vocational training, and employment opportunities
Key Benefits to Africa
The L’Oréal Fund for Women has delivered tangible impact across Africa by financing grassroots organisations that uplift vulnerable women, particularly survivors of violence and those living in poverty, through programmes focused on education, social inclusion, and entrepreneurship.
Complementing this effort, the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme has supported more than 240 young female researchers across 34 African countries since its launch, strengthening the continent’s scientific ecosystem and advancing gender equity in research.The L’Oréal–UNESCO Young Talent Awards empower African women in STEM by recognising PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers whose work addresses pressing continental challenges, from healthcare and climate change to agriculture and technology.
Economic Empowerment:
Through its Solidary Sourcing programme, L’Oréal has backed initiatives that empower women within shea and argan value chains, while also providing vocational training in beauty professions,opening pathways to sustainable employment and entrepreneurship.
Education for Girls:
The Fund has supported educational access for thousands of vulnerable girls, including in Senegal, by covering school fees, supplying learning materials, and improving menstrual health management,ensuring girls remain in school and thrive.
These initiatives span a wide geographic footprint, benefiting communities in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond—underscoring L’Oréal’s long-term commitment to African women’s empowerment.
A Global Commitment to Gender Equality
Through sustained financing, strategic partnerships, and a focus on frontline solutions, the L’Oréal Fund for Women continues to strengthen women’s resilience, dignity, and agency worldwide.
By responding to immediate crises while addressing long-term inequalities, the Fund is helping to build a more equitable and inclusive future for women and girls.
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