SPARK grant program

he SPARK (Shifting Power through Action and Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange) program, initiated by the WHO/IBP Network at the World Health Organization, is a conceptually new platform designed to change traditional international approaches to medicine. Its main philosophy is to decentralize influence and make local communities, not large institutions, the main drivers of change in sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.

This initiative fundamentally differs from classic donor programs because it does not require participants to implement someone else's top-down agenda. Instead, it is an invitation to lead. The project seeks to explore how international evidence-based WHO standards and tools can be reimagined, adapted, and integrated into real-world settings at the local level by the people themselves.

The global goal of SPARK is to create an ecosystem where the community's voice is decisive in designing and evaluating medical or social initiatives. In addition to direct financial support for local leaders, the project builds a bridge between local innovators and global experts, facilitating knowledge exchange and identifying gaps in the use of international medical guidelines in real-world environments.

The program is designed exclusively for local community-based organizations. There are clear requirements for participation:

• Leadership: The organization must be youth-led, women-led, or indigenous-led.
• Community connection: The organization must work directly with the populations it serves (community-based).
• Operational experience: The organization must have been operating for at least 2 years.
• Relevant experience: The organization must have prior implementation experience using at least one WHO guideline, tool, or product.
• Geographic quota: The program aims to fund at least one organization from each WHO region (African Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, European Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, Western Pacific Region).

• Size and type: The program provides direct, flexible grant funding of up to 20,000 USD per project/organization.
• Targeted purpose: Funds are allocated directly to implement the proposed activities described in the concept note.
• Non-financial benefits: In addition to funding, grantees will receive technical support from the WHO/IBP Network, access to relevant WHO guidelines and tools, and the opportunity to join global Communities of Practice for peer exchange and to showcase their work globally.

• Reimagining how WHO guidelines and tools are disseminated, adapted, and applied in real-world settings.
• Integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights initiatives (including maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health) into poverty reduction programs, climate protection, educational, and faith-based initiatives.
• Conducting activities that shift health decision-making power from institutions directly to communities.
• Documenting local innovations to improve global WHO standards.

1. Application submission: Acceptance of the initial concept notes lasts until October 9, 2026.
2. Evaluation and shortlist: After reviewing the initial applications, organizers form a list of finalists. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to submit a more formal, comprehensive proposal with additional documents.
3. Project implementation: The planned duration of the grant implementation is one year (12 months). Applicants must independently propose an implementation timeline and specify key milestones in their concept note.

• Preparation: Draft an initial concept note of no more than 500 words. The document can be prepared in English, French, or Spanish.
• Content of the note: The text must include:
  • Organizational overview (who you are, duration of operation, community base, leadership structure, and prior experience with WHO tools).
  • Proposed activity (which WHO guidelines you will adapt and which sectors you are integrating with).
  • Power-shifting approach (how your work centers community voice).
  • Budget (up to 20,000 USD).
  • Timeline (implementation timeline and key milestones).
  • Documentation and learning plan.
• Submission: The application is submitted online via a specific link on the organizer's website by October 9, 2026.
• Second stage (upon request): If you are shortlisted, the organizers will contact you and request a more formal proposal.

Organizers (WHO/IBP) are looking for projects that meet the following criteria:

• Innovativeness: Evaluated on the ability to apply WHO tools and guidelines in innovative, locally grounded ways.
• Integration into other sectors: Organizers pay special attention to initiatives that integrate sexual, reproductive, and maternal health issues with non-traditional areas: climate, workforce/livelihoods, education, or faith-based initiatives.
• Power-shifting: It is critically important that the community is not just a "consumer" of services. The project must meaningfully involve community members in design, decision-making, and evaluation.
• New participants: Priority will be given to organizations that are new to WHO/IBP Network funding mechanisms and can demonstrate strong leadership and accountability to their community.

• At the application stage (by October 9, 2026):
  • Only the Concept Note (no more than 500 words), containing information about the project, organization, budget, and timeline.
• At the finalist selection stage (if the organization is shortlisted, additional documents may be requested):
• • An official, more formal project proposal.
  • Financial statements of the organization.
  • One letter of support.
  • Documentation to confirm compliance with WHO requirements for non-state actors.

• Knowledge exchange plan: At the application stage, participants must develop a "documentation and learning plan." It should clearly describe how the organization will capture its results and innovative approaches to share them with its community and the global IBP network.
• WHO requirements: Candidates who make it to the second stage (shortlist) must confirm their financial transparency (provide financial statements) and undergo a compliance procedure to meet strict WHO requirements for working with non-state actors.

• Organizational and legal status: Only officially registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs/CSOs) that have been operating for at least 2 years are eligible to participate.
• WHO Compliance: Candidate organizations must meet the strict international criteria of the World Health Organization regarding cooperation with non-state actors.
• Financial transparency and accountability: If successful in the first stage and shortlisted, the applicant is legally responsible for providing official financial statements of their organization, confirming their capacity to operate with grant funds.
• Documentary proof of reputation: In addition to financial documents, selected organizations are required to provide at least one official letter of support, confirming their significance and the trust of the local community or partners.