Deadline: 16-Jun-25
The Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is pleased to launch a call for proposals under its flagship governance programme “Strengthening Local Governance and Civic Space in Uzbekistan.”
This initiative supports local civil society organizations, youth-led groups, and grassroots movements to develop innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions that strengthen civic engagement and cooperation in the regions.
This programme is a multi-year initiative that aims to advance good governance by promoting decentralization, public participation, engagement and strengthening of civil society and inclusive decision-making at the local level:
- Through its first pillar, the programme enhances the institutional and financial capacities of local authorities to manage resources effectively, implement participatory planning, and deliver public services that reflect the needs of citizens, especially the youth.
- The second pillar addresses gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV). It strengthens local and national civil society actors to prevent and respond to GBV through advocacy, awareness building of local authorities, capacity building to service providers and community-based interventions.
- The third pillar works to safeguard and strengthen the civil society by supporting national policy advocacy platforms and grassroots initiatives in the regions.
Objectives
- This call for proposals is designed to nurture fresh ideas, inclusive solutions, and sustainable partnerships that can energize civic life and strengthen collaboration across all levels of society.
- The call specifically aims to:
- Open new avenues for dialogue and collaboration between communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and public institutions at both local and national levels, grounded in mutual understanding and trust;
- Enable CSOs to actively and confidently represent the needs and voices of their communities;
- Equip young leaders and local organizations with the skills and tools to advocate for improved public services and accountability;
- Promote the formation and growth of local partnerships and dynamic networks of CSOs to amplify impact and foster collective action.
Thematic Areas
- This call for proposals aims to build capacity and foster active and meaningful engagement of civil society in the following thematic areas:
- Environment, water and climate resilience in community level developments;
- Sustainable economic and skills development;
- Youth engagement and leadership development.
- At least one of following guiding principles and transversal themes should be considered for the selected thematic focus:
- Community level public oversight and community-public dialogue;
- Inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized populations;
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Funding Information
- Maximum budget per proposal: up to the equivalent of USD150,000 in UZS
- The duration of project implementation: Between 2-3 years.
Geographical Focus
- This call for proposals is open to local NGOs and civil society groups operating in the following regions:
- Kashkadarya
- Surkhandarya
- Khorezm
- Tashkent regions
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications may be submitted by an alliance or consortium consisting of at least three local NGOs and civil society groups collaborating on a chosen thematic area within the eligible regions. The consortium should comprise a diverse group of local NGO’s and civil society groups.
- The lead applicant must be a locally registered, non-profit NGO that has been operating successfully for at least the past three years and has the capacity for financial and programmatic management, ability to contribute to the consortium and capacity to sub-contract;
- At least one co-applicant must have a proven track record of implementing community-based initiatives in the target region;
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear governance structure with defined roles and responsibilities among partners;
- Applications from underrepresented or newly emerging civil society groups from a remote district in partnership with more established organizations are encouraged.
Ineligibility Criteria
- The following are not eligible for funding:
- Applications submitted by a lead applicant who is an unregistered civil society initiative;
- Applications submitted by current grantees and subgrantees of other SDC programs in Uzbekistan;
- Purely academic research or individual scholarships;
- Activities outside the focus regions or thematic areas;
- Hardware procurement or construction works.
Selection Criteria
- Experience: Demonstrated experience working with local authorities and a clear commitment to collaborate with public institutions.
- Approach and innovation: A strong and coherent explanation by the consortium of how the proposed initiative will strengthen civil society and enhance citizen engagement in local governance.
- Capacity building and partnership: Inclusion of capacity-building activities for smaller or less experienced consortium members will be considered an advantage.
For more information, visit Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.