Strengthening the role of women’s rights organisations in the implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe

Grant to strengthen the role of women’s rights organisations in implementing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe, reference EuropeAid, total indicative budget €1,000,000 with per-project grants of €400,000 to €500,000. Two-stage restricted call with a concept note deadline of 15 September 2026 and invited full applications, with mandatory online submission via PROSPECT and PADOR/PIC registration required. Actions must be implemented in Zimbabwe (national level and specified agribusiness corridors), be gender-transformative and may include pilots, capacity development, accountability work and financial support to third parties within the call rules. EU co-financing ranges from 50% to 90% (up to 95% for fully local partnerships), action duration is 24 to 36 months, and standard EU grant rules, reporting, safeguarding and evaluation requirements apply.

What it funds

Scope and priorities

Grants to civil society actions that strengthen women’s rights organisations to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe. Priority activities include: practical local solutions to increase women’s participation in economic life (agribusiness corridors), strengthening local accountability and uptake, capacity development, evidence generation and pilot approaches to address gender-based violence and exclusion.

Who can apply:Non-profit legal entities (women’s rights organisations, NGOs and comparable civil society organisations). Lead applicants and any co-applicants/affiliated entities must be effectively established in Zimbabwe, an EU Member State or other eligible countries as defined in the call. Actions must be implemented at national level and/or in the specified agribusiness corridors.

1. 1Total indicative EU budget: €1,000,000
2. 2Individual grant size: minimum €400,000; maximum €500,000 (50%–90% EU co-financing; up to 95% if all partners are local organisations)
3. 3Action duration: 24 to 36 months
4. 4Two-stage submission: concept note (pre-selection) then invited full application
5. 5Financial support to third parties allowed (max €60,000 per third party unless justified; FSTP capped at ~20% of direct eligible costs)

Eligible actions must apply a gender-transformative, feminist, inclusive and participatory approach, integrate Safeguarding/PSEAH and Do No Harm, and include monitoring and learning. Actions should show local ownership and complementarity with existing EU initiatives.

How to apply:Online submission is mandatory via PROSPECT; applicants and partners must register in PADOR and include required annexes (budget, logframe, declarations). Submit a concept note first; only pre-selected applicants are invited to submit a full application Call Details & Documents. See Guidelines for application requirements and templates Guidelines for grant applicants ¹.

1. 1Register organisation in PADOR and obtain EuropeAid ID / PIC
2. 2Prepare and submit concept note in PROSPECT by deadline
3. 3If pre-selected, prepare full application (Annex A.2, budget, logframe, supporting docs)
4. 4If awarded, contract will follow standard grant contract terms (Annex G) including reporting and, where applicable, third party assessment for FNLC

Applications and published call documents (guidelines, templates, annexes) are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the PROSPECT page for this call. For technical issues with PROSPECT/PADOR use the IT support contact in the portal.

Footnotes

1. 1See the Guidelines for grant applicants for full eligibility, detailed priorities, budget rules, the two-stage submission process and required annexes: Guidelines for grant applicants (EuropeAid/186052) Guidelines for grant applicants.

Strengthening the role of women’s rights organisations in the implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe

Call identifier:EuropeAid (186052). Contracting authority: European Commission — Delegation to Zimbabwe. Title: Strengthening the role of women’s rights organisations in the implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe. Total indicative budget published for the call: €1,000,000. Minimum grant award: €400,000. Maximum grant award: €500,000. The call timeframe indicated in the published documents: start publication 28 July 2026; deadline for concept notes: 15 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time; the call follows a restricted, two-stage process (concept note then invited full application). Online submission platform: PROSPECT; applicant registration in PADOR is mandatory. Documents published with the call include Guidelines for grant applicants, Annex A.1 (Concept note), Annex A.2 (Full application), Annex B (Budget template), Annex C (Logical framework), Annex F (PADOR offline form), Annex G standard grant contract annexes, Annex H Declaration on honour, Annex K clarifications on financing not linked to costs, Annex L self-evaluation questionnaire on SEA-H, and others.

Call purpose:Global objective: Enhance civil society's role in monitoring and strengthening accountability for implementation of national, regional and international commitments on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) and gender-based violence. Specific objective: Strengthen feminist-oriented women’s and girls’ rights organisations to design and implement actions addressing concrete barriers to women’s economic participation, enhance accountability for GEWE commitments, and test practical solutions in targeted agribusiness corridors.

Key administrative facts

1. 1Call reference: EuropeAid 186052PROSPECTSEN.
2. 2Budget made available by the contracting authority: €1,000,000.
3. 3Grant amounts available per project: minimum €400,000; maximum €500,000.
4. 4EU co-financing rate: minimum 50% and maximum 90% of total eligible costs. If all partnership members are local organisations, maximum up to 95%.
5. 5Call procedure: restricted two-stage call. Submit a concept note by deadline; shortlisted applicants invited to submit full application.
6. 6Submission: Online via PROSPECT mandatory. Registrations required in PADOR and Participant Register (PIC) as instructed in guidance documents.
7. 7Deadline (concept note): 15 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.
8. 8Indicative action duration: between 24 and 36 months (guidance sets minimum 24 months and maximum 36 months).
9. 9Programme and budget lines: NDICI-AFRICA, budget line E.14020122.
10. 10Geographical focus: Zimbabwe national level and one or more specified agribusiness corridors (Masvingo/Mwenezi/Chiredzi/Beitbridge; Mbire/Hurungwe/Nyaminyami/Binga; Murehwa/Mutoko/Mudzi; Mutare/Mutasa/Makoni/Chipinge; Harare/Norton/Zvimba/Goromonzi/Marondera/Mazowe/Chegutu/Gweru/Vungu/Shurugwi).

Eligibility

Eligible lead applicants:legal persons that are non-profit making non-governmental organisations effectively established in Zimbabwe, an EU Member State, or other eligible countries under the NDICI/GE legal basis. Lead applicants may act individually or with co-applicants. Co-applicants and affiliated entities must meet the same eligibility criteria. Natural persons are not eligible as lead applicants for this call. Applicants must not be in any exclusion situation listed in the Declaration on Honour and must satisfy the contractual and administrative checks that are performed after provisional selection.

Eligible applicant types:Eligible applicant types for this call include: nonprofit organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, women’s rights organisations, youth-led organisations, faith-based organisations, local public bodies where permitted, international organisations (subject to specific provisions), and affiliated entities of eligible applicants. Private for-profit entities are not envisaged as eligible lead applicants under standard rules unless specifically allowed by the call, which in this case emphasises women’s rights NGOs and civil society organisations.

Funding modality and financial rules

Primary funding type:grant in the form of reimbursement of eligible costs and may include financing not linked to costs where specifically foreseen. For this call the standard model is reimbursement of eligible costs; the call documentation explains financing not linked to costs (FNLC) rules and templates (Annex K). Maximum indirect costs rate allowed: flat rate up to 7% of eligible direct costs (excluding project office costs and volunteers). Contingency reserve may be included up to 5% of direct eligible costs and requires prior written authorisation to use. Volunteers’ work may be declared following commission unit-cost decision and may be included as co-financing up to 50% of total financing sources but not financed by the EU contribution. Financial reporting, contractual expenditure verification thresholds, and third party assessment rules follow Annex II and Annex VII of the standard grant contract.

Funding type:Grant (action grant). The call supports reimbursement of eligible costs; FNLC is explained and allowed only if indicated in the call and properly integrated in logframe and budget ¹.

Consortium and partnership rules

Consortium:the call permits multi-beneficiary proposals (lead applicant plus co-applicant(s)) and affiliated entities. The lead applicant acts as coordinator and is the single interlocutor of the contracting authority, bears full financial responsibility, and must provide consolidated reports. Co-applicants must sign a mandate form included in the full application. Affiliated entities are allowed only where a structural link exists (control or membership) and must sign an affiliated entity statement. Associates, contractors and recipients of financial support have distinct roles and should not play multiple roles to avoid conflicts of interest.

Consortium requirement:The call allows either single applicants or multi-entity consortia. The lead applicant may apply individually or with co-applicants; affiliated entities are permitted under specified conditions. The contract will be signed with the coordinator; partners become co-beneficiaries if identified as co-applicants in the full application.

Geographic and sectoral scope

Beneficiaries and activities must be implemented in Zimbabwe and in the agribusiness corridors specified in the Guidelines. Thematic sectors targeted: gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, GBV prevention and response, good governance, social recovery and human development, green economic growth and community-level economic participation. Activities must be gender-transformative, feminist, inclusive and participatory.

Beneficiary scope (Geographic eligibility):Zimbabwe (national level plus specified agribusiness corridors). Lead applicants may be established in Zimbabwe, EU Member States or other eligible countries per NDICI rules; international organisations may be eligible under specific conditions.

Target sector:Gender equality and women’s empowerment; social and economic inclusion; community economic development in agribusiness corridors; GBV prevention and response; governance and accountability; inclusive green economic growth.

Project and activity requirements

Action design must be gender-transformative and rights-based, grounded in local realities and prioritise the agency, leadership and inclusion of women and girls, including marginalized groups (women with disabilities, elderly women, minority groups, youth). The action should deliver practical local solutions for women’s participation in economic life and strengthen accountability and uptake by public institutions. Activities may include participatory assessments, community dialogues, mentoring and leadership, pilots for economic inclusion and clean cooking, monitoring of government commitments, legal empowerment, advocacy based on evidence from implementation, learning exchanges, and financial support to third parties (FSTP) following strict rules.

Project stage:Implementation and demonstration/validation of locally led pilot solutions with learning and scaling potential. Actions should include monitoring, evidence generation and uptake pathways to inform local institutions and national policy implementation.

Financial and grant management specifics

Size of grants:€400,000 to €500,000. EU contribution rate: 50% to 90% of total eligible costs (95% maximum if all partners are local organisations). Budget templates and detailed budget justification are required in the full application. Eligible cost categories follow Annex II General Conditions: staff costs, travel, equipment, supplies, subcontracting, other services, audit and contractual expenditure verification, visibility and communication (minimal). Indirect costs may be claimed at a flat rate up to 7% of eligible direct costs excluding project office costs. Contingency reserve max 5% of direct eligible costs and requires prior authorisation. Volunteers’ work may be included as co-financing and up to 50% of total financing sources but not eligible as EU-paid costs. VAT and taxes eligibility depends on national rules and must be justified; Annex J guidance applies. Financial guarantees and pre-financing conditions may apply according to Annex VIII.

Funding amount:Call-level budget: €1,000,000. Per-project grant range: €400,000 to €500,000. EU co-financing percentage 50%–90% (up to 95% for fully local partnerships).

Application process

This is a two-stage restricted call:stage 1 concept notes, stage 2 invited full applications. Online submission via PROSPECT is mandatory. PADOR and the Participant Register registration are mandatory prior to the submission of applications. A concept note template (Annex A.1) and full application form (Annex A.2) are provided. Concept note evaluation is scored; only proposals scoring above threshold and ranked within the budget envelope will be invited to submit a full application. The full application is then evaluated against selection, operational and award criteria. Eligibility checks and verification of supporting documents are performed before the contracting phase.

Application type:Restricted two-stage open call for proposals with mandatory online submission (concept note then invited full application).

Application stages:Two stages: (1) Concept note submission and evaluation; (2) Invited full application submission, evaluation, eligibility checks and award decision. After award, contractual negotiation and signature follow. Reporting and verification phases during implementation include interim and final narrative and financial reports, contractual expenditure verification where applicable, and possibly third party assessments if FNLC is used.

Evaluation and selection

Step 1:administrative checks and concept note evaluation using weighted relevance and design criteria. Minimum concept note pass score is 34/45 (concept note scoring rubric). Step 2: evaluation of full application using selection criteria (financial and operational capacity) and award criteria (relevance, design, implementation, sustainability, budget and cost-effectiveness). Thresholds apply: if Section 1 financial/operational capacity score < 12 or any subsection = 1, application is rejected. Provisional selection produces a ranked list and reserve list. Step 3: verification of eligibility and submission of supporting documents prior to contract award. The contracting authority communicates decisions via PROSPECT.

Success rates:Success rates are not published for this specific call. Shortlisting for full application will be limited to the number of concept notes required to reach at least 200% of the available budget, then final selection from full applications within available budget. Historically for similar calls, success rates depend on competition intensity and available budget; applicants should expect multiple rounds of reduction and rigorous technical and eligibility checks.

Co-funding and financial support to third parties (FSTP)

Co-funding requirement:the EU grant must be matched with applicants’ own or other sources; the minimum EU contribution is 50% of total eligible costs except where full financing is justified and accepted. The application must indicate other sources and justify any request for 100% financing. Financial support to third parties (sub-grants) is allowed. Maximum amount per third party is €60,000 unless exceeding that threshold is justified because otherwise objectives could not be achieved. Total FSTP amount should not exceed 20% of total direct eligible costs unless otherwise justified. Recipients of FSTP must be legal, non-profit entities effectively established in Zimbabwe and meet specific eligibility criteria. Selection of FSTP recipients must be competitive, transparent and proportional.

Co-funding requirement:Yes. Minimum beneficiary co-financing is normally 10% to reach the 50% EU minimum overall threshold; exact share to be provided in the full application. Where full financing is requested, the applicant must justify why full EU financing is essential and provide evidence; contracting authority will verify justification.

Reporting, auditing and controls

Reporting obligations follow Annex II General Conditions and Annex VI reporting templates. Interim and final narrative and financial reports are required. Contractual expenditure verification is required for grants above thresholds (e.g. > €100,000 final report and > €5,000,000 interim reports). For FNLC components, a third party assessment validating achievement of results is required where thresholds apply and FNLC is used; Annex VII-B contains Terms of Reference for third party assessment. The contracting authority, European Commission services, OLAF, EPPO, and the European Court of Auditors may perform checks, audits and on-the-spot controls. Beneficiaries must keep records for at least five years after payment of the balance (three years for grants <= €60,000) and provide documentation on request.

Audit and verification:Contractual expenditure verification and third party assessments (for FNLC) are required per thresholds. Audit rights apply to the Commission, OLAF, EPPO, European Court of Auditors and authorised representatives.

Application templates and structure

Mandatory templates published with the call must be used. Key mandatory templates:Annex A.1 Concept note form; Annex A.2 Full application form; Annex B Budget worksheet (cost-based and FNLC tabs); Annex C Logical Framework (logframe); Annex F PADOR offline registration form (if applicant cannot register online); Annex H Declaration on honour; Annex L SEA-H self-evaluation. Applicants must complete concept notes strictly following instructions; invited full applications must follow the full application checklist and include supporting documents (statutes, latest accounts, audit report where applicable, signed mandates and affiliated entity statements).

Templates and how the application forms look:Concept note: Annex A.1 short structured form with summary table, 2-page description and 3-page relevance section. Full application: Annex A.2 includes detailed narrative sections (description, methodology, action plan, sustainability), Annex B budget worksheets, Annex C logframe (results/indicators/baselines/targets/sources/assumptions), Annex F PADOR form if needed, Annex H Declaration on Honour. Budget must include justification in worksheet 2 and expected sources of funding in worksheet 3. For FNLC proposals, the logframe indicators intended for FNLC must be flagged and the FNLC amounts transposed into Annex B tab 1c.

Selection and award criteria (summary)

Concept note evaluation criteria:relevance (20 points) and design (25 points) totalling 45 points with pass threshold 34; concept notes scoring above threshold and ranking within the budget envelope will be shortlisted for full application. Full application evaluation includes selection criteria (financial and operational capacity) and award criteria (relevance, design, implementation approach, sustainability, budget and cost-effectiveness). Scoring scales 1–5 per sub-criterion; overall score weighting gives emphasis to budget/cost-effectiveness. Applications failing minimum thresholds for financial/operational capacity or specific subsections will be rejected.

1. 1Concept note pass threshold: minimum score 34 out of 45.
2. 2Full application: Sections scored include financial and operational capacity (threshold 12 of 20), relevance (20), design (15), implementation approach (15), sustainability (15) and budget/cost-effectiveness (15).
3. 3Applications are ranked; highest scoring shortlisted within the available budget receive provisional selection and eligibility checks.

Risks, safeguards and cross-cutting requirements

All actions must incorporate safeguarding and do-no-harm principles, measures against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEA-H), child protection and GBV risk mitigation. Successful applicants (except certain categories) must complete the SEA-H self-evaluation (Annex L) and implement improvement measures as required. Environmental integration and core labour standards must be respected. Visibility of EU funding is mandatory except in exceptional security-sensitive derogation cases agreed with the contracting authority. Anti-fraud, anti-corruption, conflict of interest and unusual commercial expenses rules apply strictly and non-compliance can lead to contract termination and penalties.

Ethics and safeguarding requirements:Applicants must implement gender-transformative approaches, ensure PSEAH safeguards, complete Annex L SEA-H self-evaluation when successful, and adopt survivor-centred approaches. The action must comply with EU values and core labour standards.

Practical guidance and next steps for applicants

1) Register early in PADOR and Participant Register (PIC) and ensure all legal and financial documents are available and up to date. 2) Submit the concept note by the stated PROSPECT deadline. 3) If shortlisted, prepare the full application using Annex A.2, Annex B budget templates, Annex C logframe and supporting documents listed in Section 2.2.5 of the Guidelines. 4) Budget carefully: include clear justification and breakdown; follow rules for indirect costs, contingency and volunteers. 5) For proposals including FNLC, flag FNLC indicators in the logframe and transpose them faithfully into Annex B tab 1c; include technical specifications and data sources to enable third party assessments. 6) If proposing Financial Support to Third Parties, define rules, eligibility, selection procedures, and budget the FSTP under Heading 6.7 Other in Annex B and ensure total FSTP does not exceed the call limit and per-subgrant thresholds unless justified.

Application support and documents:All call documentation and templates are published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal PROSPECT page for call 186052 and on the European Commission Delegation to Zimbabwe web pages. Mandatory downloadable documents include Guidelines for applicants, Annex A.1 concept note, Annex A.2 full application, Annex B budget, Annex C logical framework, Annex G grant contract standard annexes, Annex H Declaration on Honour, Annex K FNLC guidance, Annex L SEA-H self-evaluation, and Annex F PADOR offline registration form. IT help for PROSPECT and PADOR is available through the helpdesk addresses published in the guidelines.

References:Strengthening the role of women’s rights organisations in the implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe. Guidelines for grant applicants and annexes published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for call 186052 and the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe pages. Application process, templates and programme rules are those described in the Guidelines and Annexes accompanying the call documents ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1See the call Guidelines for grant applicants and all annexes published with call reference EuropeAid on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and the European Commission Delegation to Zimbabwe web pages for full templates, technical annexes, budget forms, logical framework and mandatory documents. The guidelines include detailed instructions on PADOR registration, PROSPECT submission, budgeting (Annex B), logframe (Annex C), contractual conditions (Annex G) and FNLC implementation (Annex K).

This grant topic appears to target the role of women’s rights organisations in implementing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe. The deadline provided in the opportunity metadata is 15 September 2026 at 15:00:57 UTC, while the supplied search results do not expose the full call fiche, budget, or grant parameters.

What the opportunity is about

The title indicates an implementation-focused civil society grant, with women’s rights organisations expected to help turn gender equality commitments into practical results in Zimbabwe. This fits the broader EU and partner programming in Zimbabwe, which emphasizes gender-responsive governance, women’s rights, GBV prevention and response, and women’s economic empowerment [2][12][26].

Likely applicant profile

The call title suggests that women’s rights organisations are the primary target group, and the most plausible applicants are local CSOs, NGOs, and possibly consortia that can demonstrate direct experience in gender equality, women’s rights, or related advocacy and service delivery. This is an inference from the title and the wider EU and partner programming in Zimbabwe, not a confirmed statement from the call fiche [2][12][26].

• Zimbabwe-based women’s rights organisations with implementation capacity [2][12][26].
• Civil society organisations working on gender equality, GBV, legal empowerment, advocacy, or women’s leadership [2][6][23][26].
• Consortia or partnerships, if the call allows them, to combine advocacy, research, coordination, and grassroots reach [2][12][23].

What funding conditions are currently known

Policy and programme context

Zimbabwe already has a formal gender and GBV policy framework, including the Zimbabwe National Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence 2023 to 2030, which stresses stronger institutional capacity, data systems, coordination, and resource mobilisation [1][26]. The EU and Team Europe are also already investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe, including support for civil society capacity and survivor-centred responses [2][4][12].

What applicants will likely need to prove

1. 1Direct relevance to women’s rights or gender equality implementation in Zimbabwe [2][12][26].
2. 2Ability to deliver measurable outputs such as advocacy, capacity building, coordination, or service strengthening [1][23][26].
3. 3Operational and financial management capacity for EU-funded action grants, if the call follows standard Funding & Tenders procedures [27].
4. 4Partnerships or local reach that can translate policy commitments into local-level impact [2][6][12].

Gaps that remain in the available evidence

The supplied search results do not disclose the total budget, minimum or maximum grant size, co-financing rate, project duration, consortium rules, award criteria, or whether the topic is single-beneficiary or multi-beneficiary. Those details should be checked on the official call page and full call documents in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal [27].

Overall assessment

This looks like a strategically important Zimbabwe-focused gender equality grant designed to strengthen the implementation role of women’s rights organisations rather than to fund stand-alone research. Its policy relevance is high because it sits within a broader EU-supported ecosystem that links women’s rights, GBV response, institutional accountability, and economic empowerment [2][12][26].