Deadline: 27-Jan-2026
ActionAid Zambia invites community-based organisations (CBOs) and social movements to apply for funding aimed at strengthening communities, promoting civic participation, and advancing sexual and reproductive health rights. Grants range from K100,000 to K700,000, supporting locally driven initiatives in selected Zambian provinces. These programs encourage rights-based development, inclusive democracy, and innovative community interventions.
Program Overview
ActionAid Zambia has launched a funding opportunity to support locally driven actions that transform communities and promote rights-based development. The program targets community-based organisations (CBOs) and social movements, providing financial assistance to initiatives that enhance civic participation, accountability, inclusive democracy, and sexual and reproductive health rights for adolescents, women, and marginalized populations. The grants aim to empower communities to implement meaningful interventions with measurable social impact while fostering grassroots leadership and human rights-based approaches.
Focus Areas and Objectives
The funding program supports projects in the following areas:
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Civic Participation: Strengthening community engagement in governance and decision-making.
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Accountability: Promoting transparency and citizen oversight in local and provincial governance.
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Inclusive Democracy: Encouraging participation of youth, women, and marginalized groups.
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Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR): Advocacy and education for adolescents, women, and vulnerable populations.
Program Objectives:
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Facilitate locally led interventions that improve community governance and participation.
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Promote rights-based, inclusive approaches to development.
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Support innovative and sustainable community actions with tangible outcomes.
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Strengthen social movements and networks for civic engagement and advocacy.
Grant Windows and Funding Details
1. Community Action Grant
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Eligible Applicants: Community-Based Organisations with minimum 20 members, including youth and women.
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Project Duration: 6 months to 1 year.
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Funding Amount: K150,000 – K700,000.
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Geographic Focus: Eastern (Chipata), Southern (Choma), North-Western (Solwezi), Muchinga, and Western Provinces.
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Key Requirements: Operational office in the project area, capacity to work with people living with disabilities, leadership structures inclusive of youth and women, creative human rights-based project design, non-political orientation, traceable physical address, and bank account.
2. Social Movement Grant
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Eligible Applicants: Social movements with strong grassroots support, shared vision, and organizational structure, even if not legally registered.
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Project Duration: 3 to 6 months.
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Funding Amount: K100,000 – K300,000.
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Geographic Focus: Same as Community Action Grant.
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Key Requirements: Non-violent and peaceful approach, inclusive leadership, history of activism, measurable impact, public engagement, and commitment to transparency.
Who is Eligible?
Community-Based Organisations:
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Minimum 20 members, including youth and women.
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Active and engaged in the community with proven track record.
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Must be non-political, community-driven, with physical office and bank account.
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Supported by a recommendation from a reputable NGO, traditional leader, or Ministry of Community Development.
Social Movements:
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Strong grassroots support with shared vision.
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Leadership reflects affected communities.
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History of activism, measurable impact, and transparent operations.
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Non-violent, inclusive, and diverse in approach.
How to Apply / How It Works
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Prepare Concept Note or Proposal: Outline project objectives, target population, methodology, expected outcomes, and alignment with focus areas.
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Verify Eligibility: Confirm CBO or social movement criteria, geographic location, and leadership structure.
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Submit Application: Include recommendation letters or references as required.
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Grant Review: Applications are assessed on relevance, innovation, feasibility, impact, and inclusivity.
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Approval and Funding: Successful applicants receive funds for implementation over the specified project duration.
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Monitoring and Reporting: Grantees are expected to report on progress, outcomes, and financial accountability.
Common Mistakes / Tips
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Submitting applications without proper recommendation letters.
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Proposing projects outside the eligible provinces.
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Overlooking youth and women inclusion in leadership structures.
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Failing to demonstrate community engagement or prior impact.
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Submitting applications from political or profit-driven organizations.
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Lack of clarity in objectives, methodology, or expected outcomes.
FAQ
1. Who can apply for the Community Action Grant? Registered community-based organisations with at least 20 members, active in the eligible provinces.
2. What is the funding range for CBOs and social movements? K150,000 – K700,000 for CBOs; K100,000 – K300,000 for social movements.
3. Can unregistered social movements apply? Yes, provided they demonstrate grassroots support and organizational capacity.
4. What project durations are eligible? 6–12 months for CBOs; 3–6 months for social movements.
5. Are all provinces in Zambia eligible? No, only Eastern, Southern, North-Western, Muchinga, and Western Provinces.
6. Are recommendation letters required? Yes, from a reputable NGO, traditional leader, or Ministry of Community Development.
7. Can political organizations apply? No, only non-political, community-driven organisations are eligible.
Conclusion
The ActionAid Zambia Community Action and Social Movement Grants provide critical funding to empower local communities, strengthen civic engagement, and advance rights-based development. By supporting innovative, inclusive, and sustainable interventions, these grants enable communities and grassroots movements to create lasting social impact while promoting democracy, accountability, and human rights.
For more information, visit ActionAid Zambia.