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Governance and Decision-Making

ACTIF is guided by feminist and participatory approaches that shift the power of decision making to LGBTQ2I communities.

Equitas has lead responsibility for managing ACTIF and is accountable to Global Affairs Canada for the achievement of the project’s results and for the effective administration and financial management of the funds provided. Dignity Network Canada is the implementing partner and leads activities related to community outreach, engagement and consultation, convening stakeholders and knowledge-sharing activities. Dignity Network Canada receives funding through ACTIF for its expenses related to delivering these activities.

Equitas and DNC recognize how power and privilege are inherent to global grantmaking and the importance of destabilizing colonial funding dynamics. This is why we are strong proponents of feminist and participatory approaches that shift the power of decision making to communities themselves. In line with the principles of “nothing about us without us” and “the process is as important as a result”, ACTIF believes that local LGBTQ2I human right defenders and organizations are experts of their own realities and should be at the heart of decision making.  

Engaging a diversity of Southern LGBTQ2I communities in funding decisions is critical to more robust LGBTQ2I networks, trust, and solidarity — the building blocks for powerful collective action and vibrant movements. The leadership of LGBTQ2I activists and grantmakers in the Fund’s governance also allows for more informed, equitable, and effective investments and outcomes. With this in mind, Equitas and DNC established an ACTIF Advisory Committee and ACTIF Project Selection Committee.

ACTIF Advisory Committee

The ACTIF Advisory Committee is at the heart of the Fund’s governance structure.  It advises on and validates the strategic direction of the Fund as well as any changes in response to new developments, and monitors its implementation to ensure the needs of local communities are addressed.  The Advisory Committee is responsible for nominating members to the Project Selection Committee, who are tasked with reviewing proposals and selecting projects supported by ACTIF.

The ACTIF Advisory Committee aims to reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics, as well as geographic representation.  This also includes individuals with a diversity of experiences, such as human rights defenders and activists, as well as representatives from regional organizations, networks and funders with expertise in similar funding mechanisms.

Read the Advisory Committee’s Terms of Reference

Committee Members

AndrewBaker

Andrew Baker

Coordinator, Donor
Relations, ILGA World

Switzerland

Broden Headshot

Broden Giambrone

Director, International Trans Fund

Canada

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Caroline Kouassiaman

Executive Director, Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest

Ghana

Chantelle de Nobrega1

Chantelle de Nobrega

Program Officer, Mama Cash

South Africa

Neish McLean

Neish Nicholas McLean

Activist, Consultant and Co-Founder, TransWave

Jamaica

Njeri_kuva

Njeri Gateru

Executive DirectorNational Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

Kenya

Subha Wijesiriwarden

Subha Wijesiriwardena

Manager, Programs and Innovation, CREA

Sri Lanka

Zhan Chiam

Zhan Chiam

Human Rights Consultant

Vietnam

ElsaSaad- ACTIF

Elsa Saade

Program Officer Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights

USA

Dan-ACTIF

Dan Christian Ghattas

Executive Director of Organisation Intersex International Europe

Europe

Project Selection Committee

The Project Selection Committee is comprised of 5 members who serve for a two-year term aligned with the call for proposals cycle. The Fund Director and the Executive Director of DNC will sit on the Project Selection Committee ex-officio, without a vote.

A Project Selection Committee has now been formed. In building this committee, the ACTIF Advisory Committee ensured that different regions of the world as well as a diversity of identities within the LGBTQ2I community were represented.   No person can sit on both the Advisory Committee and Selection Committee. Project Selection Committee members, and their affiliated organizations, cannot apply for funding during their term. 

The nomination of members considered diversity of identities and experiences, including human rights defenders and people with expertise in similar funding mechanisms. The members for the Project Selection Committee have the following list of collective competencies/experience:

  • Engagement in LGBTQ2I activism and knowledge of the realities at the local, regional and/or international level;
  • Experience in Indigenous-led, trans-led, intersex-led and/or LBQ women-led organizing;
  • Experience in managing similar grant-making initiatives;
  • Knowledge of Canadian LGBTQ2I sector;
  • Ability and willingness to work in a diverse group that includes activists and donors;
  • Ability to communicate in at least one of the Fund’s working languages (English or French).

Read the Project Selection Committee’s Terms of Reference

Committee Members

AlejandraSardra

Alejandra Sardá-Chandiramani

Sexual Rights Activist, previous Director AWID Forum and Co-creating Feminist Realities

Argentina/ Uruguay

GenwaGenweten

Genwa Genweten

LGBT MENA Officer, Hivos

Lebanon

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Afsaneh Rigot

MENA Senior Program Officer, ARTICLE 19

Middle East

Solange (003)

Solange Musanganya 

Co-coordinator, Queer African Youth Network (QAYN)

Rwanda/Canada

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Naϊké Ledan

Director of International Policy and Advocacy, Health GAP

USA