Recognizing the lack of funding for LGBTQI groups in West Africa, particularly in Francophone countries and those led by queer women and trans* activists, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice established a partnership with QAYN in late 2015 to provide seed grants to three emerging groups led by queer women and / or trans * activists in Francophone countries. Astraea works closely with QAYN to identify three LBT groups to receive small grants, while also supporting QAYN to provide leadership development and capacity building to the cohort of groups. This will entail bringing the groups together for joint training and skills-building, as well as providing tailored mentorship and coaching to each group throughout the project.

The three partners in the cohort are:

Cameroon: The gender department at Humanity First Cameroun
Côte d’Ivoire: QET Inclusion
Senegal: Sourire de femme