Actions, not words: meaningful allyship through flexible funding
By Womankind Worldwide
For many years, Womankind has partnered with Mitini Nepal (MN) – a cornerstone of the LGBTQI+ community in Nepal. Since 2002, MN has been on a mission to support Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LBTQI+) people to access equal rights and live free from violence, persecution, discrimination and stigma.
For the past year, MN has been part of Womankind’s Strategic Partner Support Grants pilot project. Through this, Womankind have funded 24 partners, with a focus on historically excluded and marginalised groups. These grants enable partners to work flexibly and strategically according to the needs of their local context and the individuals and communities they serve. Without project-based restrictions or the burden of onerous application or reporting requirements grantees can focus on their work.
This Pride Month, we are celebrating Mitini Nepal and shining a light on their powerful work for the rights, freedom and joy of the LBTQI+ community in Nepal.
Funding space for strategy, connection and clarity
Globally, the backlash against both women’s and LBTQI+ rights has been growing. Anti-gender and anti-rights rhetoric and policies have real and damaging impact on how feminist and LBTQI+ organisations operate. But, with flexible and unrestricted funding, organisations like Mitini sustain and expand their work.
“The Strategic Partner Support Grant from Womankind Worldwide has significantly strengthened Mitini Nepal’s institutional capacity, advocacy efforts, and direct community impact over the past 12 months. With this support, we were able to deepen our commitment to the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of sexual and gender minority communities in Nepal.” – Mitini Nepal
MN took a multifaceted approach that blended strategic capacity-building, direct humanitarian and community support. They organised their annual Board and Staff Retreat together with training on self-care and wellbeing in Pokhara. This three-day event created space for critical reflection on institutional direction, the challenges and opportunities of advocacy in a rapidly changing political and social environment, and how to adapt their strategy. The retreat “not only provided intellectual and emotional nourishment but also contributed to strategic clarity, team solidarity, and a renewed commitment to long-term impact.”
This type of deep, organisational work is something that many funds and funders do not support. But, this work is crucial for the sustainability and thriving of feminist organisations.
Emergency support for the community
Mitini Nepal’s holistic support of the LBTQI+ community includes responding to emergency support needs. MN found that their Strategic Grant “has been vital in addressing urgent needs within the gender and sexual minority community.”
With the strategic grant, Mitini were able to provide financial assistance to
- an elder in the LBGTQI+ community ensuring uninterrupted cancer treatment
- an elder in the community with medical support for pneumonia, saving her life as an elder without family support;
- wheelchair support to a trans activist and GBV survivor, after a police assault;
- livelihood support to an elder in the community with agricultural tools and seeds for kitchen gardening, enhancing their ability to generate sustainable income.
These interventions highlight MN’s role as a critical first responder, meeting the pressing needs of LBTQI+ individuals during times of crisis. This type of immediate response is often hindered by rigid funding structures. With the flexibility of the strategic grant, Mitini were able to respond to these urgent challenges for members of their community.
“By providing financial assistance for urgent medical treatments and advocating for the rights of these individuals, we have directly addressed pressing human rights issues within the gender and sexual minority community. This financial and moral support helps mitigate some of the discrimination and marginalization our community members face, reinforcing our commitment to the protection of their rights.” – Mitini Nepal
Pride and Partnership
Mitini’s role and impact in the lives of LBTQI+ people in Nepal is undeniable. As we celebrate Mitini Nepal and and our partnership with them, we also reflect on meaningful solidarity and allyship. We believe that flexible, sustainable and unrestricted funding is a key way that funders can be true allies to LBTQI+ organisations and movements. The value that this type of funding brings to supporting rights and freedom is clear. Mitini shared, “the Strategic Partner Support Grant from Womankind Worldwide has had a profound impact on Mitini Nepal’s ability to execute our strategy, directly supporting our three key pillars: ensuring human rights, fostering social mobilisation and creating economic opportunities. It has also significantly bolstered our core programs including advocacy, social awareness, skill and capacity building training and research and publications.”
“To the LGBTQI+ community in Nepal: You are seen, you are valued, and you are not alone. In the face of social stigma, discrimination, and institutional barriers, your resilience continues to be a powerful force for change. At Mitini Nepal, we believe that living your truth is an act of courage, and every step you take—no matter how small—is part of a collective journey toward dignity, equality, and justice. Keep speaking, keep showing up, and keep shining. Change is not only possible—it’s already happening, because of you.” – Mitini Nepal
