Strengthening the role of women’s rights organisations in the implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe
Donor: European Commission (EC)
Location: Zimbabwe
Beneficiaries: Organisations
Project focus areas: Gender equality and women’s empowerment
Funding amount: EUR 400,000 to EUR 500,000 per project
Project duration: 24-36 months
Deadline: 15 September 2026
The European Commission has launched a call for proposals to strengthen the role of women’s rights organisations in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe by reinforcing the capacity of civil society organisations working to promote the rights of women and girls.
The programme aims to strengthen civil society’s role in monitoring and improving accountability for national, regional and international commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and gender-based violence. It supports practical solutions that increase women’s and girls’ participation in local economic development, strengthen accountability and dialogue, and promote gender-transformative, feminist, inclusive and participatory approaches. Actions should contribute to good governance, social recovery and human development, and green economic growth, and be implemented in Zimbabwe, including selected agribusiness corridors.
The call has an indicative budget of EUR 1,000,000, with grants ranging from EUR 400,000 to EUR 500,000. EU funding may cover 50% to 90% of eligible project costs, or up to 95% where all partners are local organisations. Eligible projects may receive full financing if properly justified. Applicants must also provide financial support to third parties, primarily women’s and girls’ rights organisations, with funding generally capped at EUR 60,000 per recipient.
Eligible applicants must be legal, non-profit, non-governmental organisations established in Zimbabwe, an EU Member State or another eligible NDICI-GE country, while eligible international organisations may also apply. Applications may be submitted individually or with eligible co-applicants and affiliated entities. Proposed actions must last between 24 and 36 months and follow gender-transformative and rights-based approaches. This is a restricted call requiring a concept note in the first stage, followed by a full application for shortlisted applicants. Applications must be submitted in English through PROSPECT after registration in PADOR and the European Commission Participant Register.
The following are examples of activities eligible under this call for proposals. Proposals are encouraged to innovate and adapt to their own unique methodologies and understanding of the context.
Activities contributing to Priority 1 – Delivering practical solutions for women's and girls' participation in local economic development
Examples of eligible activities may include:
- conducting participatory assessments to identify practical barriers limiting women's and girls' participation, leadership and influence in local economic development and community life;
- facilitating community dialogue and engagement involving women, men, boys, traditional and religious leaders, persons with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders to promote positive social norms and address discriminatory practices affecting women and girls;
- establishing leadership development, mentoring, coaching and peer-learning programmes for young women and emerging leaders, including within women's rights organisations, to foster intergenerational leadership, innovation and the emergence of new voices;
- supporting women and girls to engage in local planning, community structures and decision-making processes related to local economic development;
- designing, piloting and evaluating innovative community-led solutions that strengthen women's agency, participation, leadership, access to information and protection;
- developing communication, storytelling and creative engagement initiatives—including community dialogue, theatre, visual arts, poetry, photography, digital media and other culturally appropriate approaches—to amplify women's voices, promote positive social norms and foster inclusive public dialogue;
- undertaking participatory research, community consultations and evidence generation to inform practical, locally led solutions and improve implementation.
Activities contributing to Priority 2 – Strengthening local accountability, dialogue and uptake
Examples of eligible activities may include:
- facilitating structured dialogue between civil society organisations, local authorities, public institutions, communities and other relevant stakeholders based on evidence generated through project implementation;
- establishing participatory community feedback, citizen engagement and social accountability mechanisms, including community scorecards, participatory monitoring and community review processes;
- preparing policy briefs, implementation reviews, position papers, practical recommendations and other evidence products that contribute to improving policies, institutional practices and local responses;
- monitoring and promoting accountability for the implementation of national, regional and international commitments related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls;
- documenting, disseminating and promoting the uptake, adaptation and replication of innovative approaches, good practices and lessons learned emerging from implementation;
- organising learning exchanges, peer-learning events and knowledge-sharing initiatives among women's rights organisations, community-based organisations, local authorities, academia, media and other relevant stakeholders;
- providing legal empowerment initiatives and, where appropriate, strategic public interest litigation to address discriminatory laws, policies and practices affecting women and girls.
Learn more here