Voice is an initiative of and financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands as part of their overall policy framework ‘Dialogue and Dissent’ (future Power of Voices) and is executed by a consortium between Oxfam Novib and Hivos. Hivos is the coordinated body in four countries: Indonesia, Philippines, Kenya and Tanzania , while Oxfam coordinates Voice in six: Laos, Cambodia, Uganda, Niger, Mali and Nigeria.

Voice is an innovative grant facility to support rightsholders and groups facing marginalisation or discrimination in their efforts to exert influence in accessing productive social services and political participation. Voice operates in a context where civic space and power is shifting at a fast pace, and often closing rather than opening. Where the narrative is negative and underlining marginalisation and vulnerability, rather than the dreams and successful steps made towards a better, more inclusive world. Voice is implemented in ten countries in Africa and Asia.

Voice supports 4 grant types namely:

• Empowerment grant
• Influencing grant
• Innovate and Learn grant
• Sudden Opportunity grant

Voice has 5 categories of rightsholders:

• Indigenous groups and ethnic minorities
• Age discriminated vulnerable groups
• Target Group One
• People living with disabilities
• Women facing exploitation and abuse and or violence (WEAV)