CFPs: Strengthening the Civil Society Organisations in Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe

Deadline: 20-May-25

The European Commission (EC) is seeking proposals to strengthen the Civil Society Organisations in Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe.

Objectives

• The global objective of this call for proposals is: To contribute to the development of an inclusive, participatory, empowered, and independent civil society and democratic space in Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe, and an inclusive and open dialogue with and between civil society organisations.
• The specific objective of this call for proposals is: To strengthen local civil society organisations’ (CSOs) engagement as actors of good governance and development at country level.

Program Priority Issues

• The priorities of this call for proposals are:
  • Strengthening the capacity of local CSOs to engage and participate in political dialogue and advocacy at national level, as well as in dialogue, implementation and monitoring of the development plans and programmes of Gabon/Sao Tome and Principe, the EU and its Member States.
  • Strengthening the capacity of local CSOs to defend and promote an enabling environment for the socioeconomic development of Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.
  • Capacity building of local CSOs to engage in gender equality and youth inclusion, as well as capacity building for women and youth led local CSOs.
  • Increasing access to digital tools for the benefit of local CSOs.
• The Action is part of the Civil Society Organisations Support Programme. By working towards achieving its general and specific objectives, the proposed action should strengthen the capacity (technical, organisational, financial, advocacy, sectoral dialogue, etc.) of local CSOs active in various key sectors. These key sectors include namely:
  • In Gabon:
    • Social protection and support to minorities’ groups
    • Protection and sustainable use of the environment
  • In São Tomé and Príncipe: 
    • Support to youth (including civic education)
    • Protection and sustainable use of the environment
• The sustainability of the action must be ensured, through ownership of the project and active engagement of final beneficiaries and public authorities (at national and decentralised level) throughout implementation. Proposals must therefore indicate the sustainability arrangements chosen from the implementation period of the activities.
• Gender equality (men-women) must be ensured throughout the Action (from design to implementation). The participation of women’s and youth’s CSOs must be promoted and supported as a priority. Project promoters will have to propose a resolutely participatory approach, creating the best conditions for the real participation of women and youth in the interventions implemented and ensuring their at least equal participation in any structure put in place.
• The Rights Based Approach (RBA), encompassing all human rights, will be used throughout the implementation of the Action, in particular on an analysis of the capacity gaps of rights holders to assert their rights and debtors of obligations to fulfil their obligations.
• Community participation in the local good governance allows populations to participate in decision-making processes. The commitment of the entire population (women, men, youth, vulnerable people, minorities, etc.) must therefore be at the heart of the implementing approach of the Action.
• This call for proposals has 2 distinct geographical lots: Lot 1 – Gabon and Lot 2 – São Tomé and Príncipe.

Funding Information

• The total indicative amount available under this call for proposals is EUR 2,842,000. The indicative amounts per lot are as follows:
  • Lot 1 – Gabon: EUR 1,500,000,
  • Lot 2 – Sao Tome and Principe: EUR 1,342,000.
• Size of grants
  • Lot 1 – Gabon Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
    • minimum amount: EUR 1,450,000
    • maximum amount: EUR 1,500,000
  • Lot 2 – Sao Tome and Principe
    • Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
      • minimum amount: EUR 1,300,000
      • maximum amount: EUR 1,342,000

Duration

• The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than 24 months nor exceed 48 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
  • be a legal person and
  • be non-profit-making and
  • belong to one of the following categories of organizations: CSOs and/or associations of CSOs, and
  • be effectively established
    • For Lot 1: in Gabon or in a Member State of the European Union
    • For Lot 2: in São Tomé and Príncipe or in a Member State of the European Union; and
  • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary, and

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