Stronger Together.
Sustainable Forever.
The AWiM Sustainability Coalition unites seven vetted organisations that serve women in African media under one transparent, donor-friendly platform. We believe that no single organisation can solve the challenges facing women journalists alone. By pooling resources, visibility, and trust, the coalition makes it simple for anyone to support the infrastructure that keeps women in media safe, trained, connected, and leading.
Clarity Before Commitment
Before you give, it helps to know exactly what you're supporting. Here's what the coalition does, and just as importantly, what it doesn't.
What This Coalition Is
The AWiM Sustainability Coalitions is a fundraising and visibility platform that brings together organisations serving women in African media. Each member organisation retains its independence, brand, and programmes. What the coalition provides is a shared infrastructure for fundraising, donor trust, and collective impact tracking.
For donors, the coalition solves a real problem: how do you find organisations doing credible, effective work for women in media across Africa, and how do you give with confidence? Every member has passed a rigorous vetting process. Every donation is tracked transparently. Every result is reported publicly.
For coalition members, the platform provides access to a wider donor base, reduced administrative burden, and the credibility that comes from being part of a vetted collective. Members also benefit from shared learning, collaborative grant applications, and a unified voice in advocacy spaces.
What This Coalition Is Not
The coalition is not a merger. Member organisations do not give up their identity, governance, or programme autonomy. They are not subsidiaries of AWiM or of the coalition. Each organisation continues to operate independently, make its own strategic decisions, and report to its own board.
The coalition is not a grantmaker. We do not collect funds and redistribute them through our own programme decisions. Every donation designated to a specific organisation goes directly to that organisation. The solidarity fund is split equally among all members, with zero discretion from coalition administrators.
The coalition is not exclusive or permanent. Members can leave at any time. New members can apply and be admitted through the vetting process. The coalition exists to serve its members and the women they support, not the other way around.
How We Vet Coalition Members
Every organisation admitted to the coalition must satisfy four criteria. The vetting process is led by AWiM with input from an independent advisory panel of media development experts.
Proven Track Record
Every organisation must demonstrate at least three years of active programming with measurable outcomes. We review annual reports, programme evaluations, and independently verified impact data to confirm that their work has genuinely advanced women in media.
Financial Governance
Transparent, audited financial statements are non-negotiable. Each member organisation must show clean audits, clear budgeting practices, and a governance structure that ensures funds are used responsibly and for the purposes donors intend.
Mission Alignment
The coalition exists to protect and strengthen the infrastructure supporting women in African media. Every member must share this commitment, demonstrated through their strategic plan, programme portfolio, and the composition of their leadership and board.
Regional Representation
We prioritise geographic diversity across East, West, Central, and Southern Africa, ensuring the coalition reflects the full breadth of the continent and that funding reaches organisations working in under-resourced regions.
Apply to Join as a Coalition Member
We welcome applications from organisations serving women in African media.
The vetting process typically takes four to six weeks from submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
CGEMSA unites seven vetted organisations that serve women in African media under one transparent, donor-friendly platform. We believe that no single organisation can solve the challenges facing women journalists alone.
The Coalition was formed to address shared challenges affecting gender equality and media sustainability, including fragmented efforts, limited resources, and the need for stronger collective advocacy. It provides a platform for organisations to collaborate, amplify impact, strengthen sustainability, and drive meaningful change across Africa’s media landscape.
African Women in Media (AWiM) is the founding anchor member of the coalition. AWiM conceived the coalition, built the platform, leads the vetting process for new members, and coordinates coalition-wide reporting and communications. AWiM also advances the Kigali Declaration, a landmark commitment to gender equality in and through the media, which serves as a guiding framework for the coalition's work.
