Deadline: 19-Aug-2024
The Women Community Activism grants 2nd cohort is now open. CBO’s operating in Mash East, West, Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands and Mat North apply for the grants.
The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) is a network of women’s rights champions and organizations in Zimbabwe, with national structures established in 1999. WCoZ brings together women from diverse backgrounds to advocate for the attainment and enjoyment of their socio- economic and political rights, ensuring that the empowerment of women and girls remains central to the national agenda. WCoZ is a key implementing partner in Citizen Engagement for Accountability Activity (CEAA), a five-year activity implemented by a collective of Zimbabwean CSOs. The activity engages and supports efforts that strengthen the culture of civic engagement in Zimbabwe. The Activity works with and through local organizations’ initiatives and seeks unique methods, innovative pathways, and partnerships to achieve this purpose. CEAA’s objectives are to: (1) Activate citizen agency for accountability, (2) Strengthen women’s leadership and inclusion; (3) Increase youth empowerment and positive engagement. WCoZ is currently implementing the Women in Leadership project (WiLP) aimed at strengthening women’s representation, participation, and inclusion in decision-making processes at local and national levels in Zimbabwe. In line with the project’s objectives, WCoZ is inviting applications for Women Community Activism Grants (WCAGs) as outlined in this call for applications.
Funding Priorities
- The grant initiative is based on promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion with the funding priorities aligned to the overall CEAA objective. The WCAGs programme is designed to support Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) operating in the following provinces: Masvingo, Midlands, Manicaland, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland East. WCoZ encourages concrete applications that focus on:
- Women’s leadership: Promoting a conducive environment for the participation of women and girls in public life, including the recognition of women leaders’ contributions.
- Women’s economic empowerment: Establishing community livelihoods, poverty eradication initiatives, enhancing financial literacy and access to financial resources.
- Male engagement: Involving men and boys in supporting gender equality interventions within the community.
- Community advocacy: Engaging women and men in advocacy initiatives leveraging on existing community engagement platforms, collaborating with duty bearers inclusive of local councillors and Members of Parliament on community priority issues.
Funding Information
- Under this call for applications, WCoZ intends to award up to seven (7) grants of USD 10,000 each for a duration of twelve (12) months.
Eligibility Criteria
- WCoZ will give priority to applications from:
- Community-Based Organizations that are women-led and actively operating in Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, Masvingo, and Midlands.
- Legally registered CBOs working with women, young people, and other marginalized groups in rural areas of the mentioned provinces.
- Applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Be a legally registered Zimbabwean CBO with female leadership, comprising a majority (at least 51%) of female board members and an executive director. Please submit proof in support of having majority female board members.
- Have a presence and work with communities in the mentioned provinces, focusing on the funding priorities stated above.
- Have a functional governance structure that includes a Board/Coordinating Committee, a Chairperson, and a Director.
- Demonstrate a track record in implementing women’s empowerment initiatives, including economic strengthening, women’s participation, male engagement, and women’s rights advocacy programs at the grassroots level.
- Possess skilled and experienced human resources to effectively implement the proposed project.
- Not be partisan or led by a civil servant/political leader.
- Have a demonstrated track record of financial accountability and transparency through having sound financial control systems in place.
- Pre-qualification assessment form: Applicants are requested to complete the provided form and return it as part of their submission. Applicants will receive a pass/fail rating on the mandatory requirements/pre-qualification criteria. WCoZ reserves the right to verify any information contained in the pre-qualification form. Incomplete or inadequate responses, lack of response, or misrepresentation in responding to any questions will result in disqualification.
For more information, visit WCoZ.