SPARK Grant Program for Community-Led Health Initiatives

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the IBP (WHO/IBP Network) invite proposals for SPARK — Shifting Power through Action and Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange, a grant program supporting community-led work in sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and rights (SRMNCAH). SPARK is designed to strengthen how communities use and adapt evidence-based WHO guidelines and tools in real-world settings. The call for proposals is dated 17 September 2026; a specific submission deadline is October 09, 2026. SPARK is a WHO/IBP Network grant program focused on placing communities at the center of SRMNCAH and rights work. It supports organizations that are reimagining how WHO guidelines and tools are disseminated, adapted, and applied in practical settings. The call emphasizes leadership from applicant organizations rather than implementation of someone else’s agenda. It specifically asks applicants to describe how they use evidence-based guidance, innovate in their contexts, and shift power so communities—not institutions—drive the SRMNCAH agenda locally. Based on the call page, SPARK provides: The call encourages proposals from youth-led, women-led, or indigenous-led community-based organizations that meet the following criteria: Eligible geographic coverage: The program aims to fund at least one organization per WHO region (African Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, European Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, Western Pacific Region). SPARK seeks proposals where applicants are applying WHO guidance in innovative ways and integrating SRMNCAH beyond traditional health programming. The call highlights particular interests in integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights with the following areas: In addition, proposals should include a power-shifting approach, meaning the work meaningfully involves community members in: Applicants are also expected to document and share innovative approaches so lessons can strengthen the broader IBP Network and inform how WHO guidance is used at the community level, including gaps that remain. This grant is relevant for community-based organizations seeking to move from guidance dissemination to community-led adaptation and application of WHO SRMNCAH tools. It supports cross-sector integration—such as education, climate, livelihoods, and faith-based initiatives—while explicitly requiring applicants to show how community members influence not just implementation, but decision-making and evaluation. It also provides structured opportunities for learning through Communities of Practice and for sharing lessons with a global SRMNCAH audience.

Official source (call page): Call for IBP network SPARK grant proposals — WHO

1) What is the SPARK grant program?

SPARK (Shifting Power through Action and Reciprocal Knowledge Exchange) is a WHO/IBP Network grant program supporting community-led, youth-led, women-led, and indigenous-led organizations to adapt and apply WHO SRMNCAH guidelines and tools in real-world settings.

2) How much funding is available?

The call states up to USD $20,000 per grant, and expects concept notes to include a budget of up to $20,000.

3) How many grants will be awarded?

The call indicates 5–10 grants.

4) What is the project duration?

The timeline is one year.

5) Which organizations can apply?

Eligibility is directed to youth-led, women-led, or indigenous-led community-based organizations that have operated for at least 2 years and have implementation experience using at least one WHO guideline, tool, or product.

6) Which regions can receive funding?

The program aims to fund at least one organization per WHO region: African Region; Americas; South-East Asia; Europe; Eastern Mediterranean; Western Pacific.

7) What is the application deadline?

A specific deadline is October 09, 2026 provided. Applicants should check the official call page for the submission date and any deadline time zone details. If your organization is youth-led, women-led, or indigenous-led and already working at community level with experience using WHO SRMNCAH guidance, review the full official SPARK call text and any attached application instructions on the WHO page before drafting your concept note. Ensure your concept note stays within 500 words and includes each required section (organizational overview, proposed activity, power-shifting approach, budget up to $20,000, timeline, and documentation/learning plan).