Call for Proposals: Strengthening Civil Society and Local Governance in Zimbabwe

Deadline: 21-Jul-2026

The European Commission is inviting proposals from eligible non-profit organizations to strengthen civil society participation in governance, accountability, justice, and sustainable local economic development in Zimbabwe. With a total budget of €6 million, the program supports citizen engagement, legal aid services, transparent governance, and inclusive economic opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

What is the European Commission Governance and Local Economic Development Call?

The European Commission has launched a funding opportunity designed to strengthen civil society engagement in governance and sustainable local economic development across Zimbabwe.

The initiative supports projects that improve citizen participation, transparency, accountability, access to justice, and inclusive economic growth. It aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy, the EU Multi-Annual Indicative Programme, and the Global Gateway Strategy.

The program aims to empower civil society organizations (CSOs) to work alongside local authorities, national institutions, and communities to create more inclusive and responsive governance systems.

Funding Overview

Total Program Budget

• Total funding available: €6,000,000

Grant Size

• Minimum grant: €1,000,000
• Maximum grant: €3,000,000

Funding Structure

• Funding is distributed across two geographic lots covering different development corridors in Zimbabwe.
• The European Commission may award partial or full allocations based on proposal quality and available resources.

Program Objectives

The initiative seeks to:

• Strengthen citizen participation in local governance.
• Improve transparency and accountability in public decision-making.
• Enhance local service delivery.
• Promote inclusive local economic development.
• Increase access to justice for marginalized populations.
• Support legal aid services.
• Strengthen collaboration between civil society and public institutions.
• Empower women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
• Improve governance systems that contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Key Focus Areas

1. Citizen Participation and Local Governance

Projects should support:

• Community participation in planning and budgeting processes.
• Citizen-led monitoring and oversight initiatives.
• Public accountability mechanisms.
• Civic engagement and advocacy activities.
• Inclusive decision-making processes.

2. Good Governance and Accountability

Priority activities include:

• Strengthening transparency in local governance.
• Promoting responsible public administration.
• Supporting anti-corruption and accountability initiatives.
• Improving government responsiveness to citizen needs.

3. Access to Justice

Projects may focus on:

• Legal aid services.
• Community legal awareness programs.
• Justice-related support mechanisms.
• Strengthening access to legal services at the local level.

Special attention is encouraged for:

• Women
• Youth
• Persons with disabilities
• Vulnerable and marginalized groups

4. Sustainable Local Economic Development

Activities may include:

• Community-based economic development initiatives.
• Support for local entrepreneurship.
• Strengthening local value chains.
• Economic inclusion strategies.
• Improving access to economic opportunities.

5. Women and Youth Empowerment

The program promotes:

• Youth-led development initiatives.
• Women’s economic empowerment.
• Leadership development.
• Participation in governance processes.
• Access to productive resources and opportunities.

Alignment with National and International Strategies

Zimbabwe National Development Strategy

The call contributes to Zimbabwe’s development priorities through:

• Improved governance.
• Citizen participation.
• Economic growth.
• Social inclusion.

EU Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP)

The initiative supports three key pillars:

1. Good governance and citizens’ rights.
2. Social recovery and human development.
3. Green and sustainable economic growth.

Global Gateway Strategy

The program contributes to:

• Climate-smart agriculture.
• Sustainable value chain development.
• Women’s economic participation.
• Youth entrepreneurship.
• Inclusive investment and growth.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Lead Applicants

Applicants must be:

• Non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Legally established in:
  • Zimbabwe,
  • European Union Member States, or
  • Other countries eligible under NDICI-GE regulations.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Lead applicants must:

• Be directly responsible for project preparation and implementation.
• Not act as intermediaries.
• Demonstrate operational and financial capacity.
• Comply with European Commission grant requirements.

Who Will Benefit?

The program is expected to benefit:

• Local communities.
• Civil society organizations.
• Women and girls.
• Youth groups.
• Persons with disabilities.
• Community-based organizations.
• Local authorities.
• National governance institutions.
• Small-scale entrepreneurs and local economic actors.

Why This Funding Matters

Strong civil society organizations play a critical role in improving governance and creating inclusive economic opportunities.

This funding helps:

• Increase citizen voice in public decision-making.
• Improve accountability and transparency.
• Expand access to justice.
• Strengthen democratic participation.
• Promote sustainable economic development.
• Support vulnerable and underrepresented populations.

Ultimately, the program seeks to create stronger connections between citizens, communities, civil society organizations, and government institutions.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review the Official Guidelines

Carefully examine:

• Eligibility requirements.
• Geographic lot requirements.
• Funding conditions.
• Evaluation criteria.

Step 2: Conduct Stakeholder Consultations

Engage:

• Community members.
• Youth organizations.
• Women’s groups.
• Local authorities.
• Community-based organizations.
• Governance and economic development stakeholders.

Step 3: Develop a Project Proposal

Clearly explain:

• The problem being addressed.
• Project objectives.
• Planned activities.
• Expected outcomes.
• Sustainability measures.
• Monitoring and evaluation approach.

Step 4: Build Partnerships

Where appropriate, establish collaborations with:

• Local NGOs.
• Community-based organizations.
• Youth-led organizations.
• Agricultural and economic development actors.
• Governance-focused institutions.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Ensure all required documents and supporting materials are completed and submitted according to the call instructions.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to demonstrate community involvement.
• Weak links between activities and expected outcomes.
• Insufficient evidence of organizational capacity.
• Limited sustainability planning.
• Lack of collaboration with local stakeholders.
• Incomplete documentation.
• Poorly defined monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Ignoring inclusion requirements for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the total budget available under this call?

The European Commission has allocated €6 million for this funding opportunity.

2. How much funding can organizations request?

Applicants can request between €1 million and €3 million per project.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are non-profit NGOs legally established in Zimbabwe, EU Member States, or other eligible countries under NDICI-GE regulations.

4. What sectors does the program support?

The program supports governance, citizen participation, accountability, access to justice, legal aid, local economic development, youth empowerment, and women’s inclusion.

5. Are partnerships encouraged?

Yes. The European Commission encourages collaboration with community-based organizations, youth-led groups, governance actors, and economic development stakeholders.

6. Does the program prioritize vulnerable groups?

Yes. Special emphasis is placed on women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

7. How does this program contribute to economic development?

The initiative supports local economic growth through inclusive participation, improved governance systems, legal empowerment, entrepreneurship support, and sustainable development approaches.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s Governance and Local Economic Development Call in Zimbabwe provides a significant opportunity for civil society organizations to strengthen democratic participation, improve accountability, expand access to justice, and promote inclusive economic growth. Through strategic partnerships and community-led approaches, funded projects can help build stronger institutions, empower marginalized groups, and contribute to long-term sustainable development across Zimbabwe.

For more information, visit European Commission.