Transformative Capacity Development Program

Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) on Transformative Capacity Development Program focusing
on Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and CSO Coalitions in Zimbabwe
Initial publication: 30 July 2025
Corrigendum: 1 September, 2025

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1. Introduction:
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and COSPE, with funding from the European Union, are pleased to announce a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from eligible Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and CSO Coalitions operating in Zimbabwe to participate in a Transformative Capacity Development Program under the CS4Zim: Civil Society actors as drivers of transformative change in Zimbabwe program. The targeted CBOs, CSOs and Coalitions will include those working with marginalized groups such as women, youth, children, People with Disabilities (PwDs) and other vulnerable communities. This transformative capacity development program aims to strengthen the functions and structures relating to organisational governance, management and leadership of local organizations, enabling them to more effectively address critical developmental and human rights challenges in different communities. This EOI is a preliminary step in a two-stage process. The CSOs, CBOs and CSO Coalitions selected into the Transformative Capacity Development program will be given an opportunity in due time to apply for Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP). Such a separate competitive Call for FSTP will be launched among the Coalitions, CSOs and CBOs previously selected for the Transformative Capacity Building Programme to support the
operationalisation of the acquired skills and competences as well as to implement their proposed initiatives. The detailed objectives, results, eligible actions, duration and amounts for each Lot will be communicated and described in due time but the range of FSTP that can be awarded will vary by lots between approximately EUR 10,000 and 60,000.

2. Background and Program Overview:

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and COSPE, with co-funding from the European Union, are implementing a program titled CS4ZIM: Civil society actors as drivers of transformative change in Zimbabwe. As part of this program, the Forum and COSPE intends to select a total of approximately 70 organisations, comprising an estimated proportion of CBOs (60%), CSOs (35%) and Coalitions (5%) drawn across all the 10 provinces in Zimbabwe, who will take part in the transformative capacity development program. Applications from organizations led by women, youth and marginalised and/or
those serving vulnerable communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Specifically, the transformative capacity development program will target entry level, mid-career level, senior management and board representatives from these organizations through offering tailor made capacity development opportunities based on their competencies, capabilities and needs.

 This strategy has been offered to help address specific needs and skills gap at each level, creating a platform for continuous learning, mentorship and knowledge sharing in a manner that is different to the traditional one size fits all approach. It will also serve the purpose of motivating staff at different
levels with networking opportunities, and succession planning within the civil society. Those CSOs, CBOs and CSO Coalitions selected successfully into the Transformative Capacity Development program will be given an opportunity to apply for sub-grants that can support the operationalisation of the
acquired skills and competences to address their priority needs over the project duration. The Transformative Capacity Development Program will offer a wide suite of interventions tailored to the identified needs and priorities of participating organizations on a case-by-case basis.

 These may include, but are not limited to:
• Organizational Development: Strengthening internal governance, compliance to regulations such as PVO, strategic planning, financial management, human resource management, and operational efficiency.

• Programmatic Enhancement: Improving project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for greater impact.

• Advocacy and Communication: Building skills in effective advocacy, public engagement, media relations, and strategic communication to influence policy and public opinion.

• Resource Mobilization: Enhancing capabilities in fundraising, proposal writing, and diversifying funding streams.

• Networking and Collaboration: Facilitating partnerships, coalition building, and knowledge sharing among organizations.

• Specialized Thematic Training: Depending on the needs of selected organizations, these may include digital transformation, documentation, Gender Equality, Disability, Youth and Social Inclusion.

The program will utilize blended delivery and learning approaches, combining workshops, coaching, mentorship, peer-to-peer learning, and use of online resources. Program success will require genuine learning commitment by participating organizations.

3. Eligibility Criteria:
To be considered for this transformative capacity development program, interested CBOs, CSOs and Coalitions must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Legal Status: Must be a legally registered Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) in Zimbabwe, OR provide evidence of progress towards registration as a PVO.

• Operational Track Record: The organisation should be in good standing in the communities in which they serve and those with advanced readiness to implement community interventions will be given preference.

• No Conflicts of Interest: Must not have any conflicts of interest that would prevent fair and transparent participation.

4. Selection Criteria:
Selection will be done by an independent panel of local and regional development experts. The reviews will be a closed process and not open to the public.
The Technical scores will be awarded as follows: Criteria Maximum score

1.  Alignment/ Justification: Clear articulation of how the program will contribute to organization’s goals and impact; alignment with principles of human rights, community development, good governance, and social justice. 20%

2 Capacity Assessment: Clarity in identification of critical capacity gaps and how capacity strengthening can mitigate the weaknesses. 20%

3 Team Commitment: Demonstrate a strong commitment from leadership and staff to be available and actively participate in all program activities and to apply learned skills to improve practice. 15%

4 Past Performance: Quality and relevance of previous work conducted by the Organization. Must have a record of operational presence and demonstrated work within a specified area e.g., at national, provincial, district or community level in Zimbabwe. 15%

5 Community Impact: The extent of community positive change and evidence of how organization has led or participated in collective action interventions
for the benefit of the community. 15%

6 Programme Priorities, Gender Equality and Social & Geographic Inclusion:
-Demonstrated evidence of commitment to gender equality, good governance, and social inclusion with documented practices: Gender balance and inclusion reflected in team composition and in prior projects.

-Target populations and representation of undeserved demographics: [Priority will be given to establishing a geographical balance of ‘’grassroots’’ organizations, CBOs/CSOs/Coalition led by1 women, youth (18-35 years), and PLWDs and/or those serving marginalized / vulnerable communities.] 15%

Total 100%

5. Benefits of Participation:
In the year 2026, a Call for Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) will be designed and launched to include the Coalitions, CSOs, and CBOs, that have been selected and participated in the Transformative Capacity Building Programme to operationalise the acquired knowledge and skills. Selection in the
Transformative Capacity Building Programme does not guarantee success in the FSTP call, which will be competitive.In addition (irrespective of) to the possibility to be awarded FSTP, the selected organizations may benefit from:

• Tailored capacity-building interventions designed to meet specific organizational needs.

• Access to expert trainers, mentors, and facilitators.

• Enhanced organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Improved programmatic impact and quality.

• Increased opportunities for networking, collaboration, and peer learning. ‘led-by...’ should be understood in a broad sense to mean that the organisation must have a majority or significant number of members of the Management Team AND the Board/ Executive Committee (or any organisation’s decision-making structure) fall within specified groups of interest.

• Strengthened advocacy and resource mobilization capabilities.

• Potential for future partnership and funding opportunities

6. Application Process Interested CBOs, CSOs, and Coalitions are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by 1 October, 2025
The EOI should be concise, not exceeding [maximum, 8 pages], and must include the following:

1. Organizational Profile:
▪ Full legal name of the organization/coalition.

▪ Year of establishment and registration status (attach copy of registration certificate if available).

▪ Contact person (Name, Title, Email, Phone Number).

▪ Brief overview of your organization's profile, mission, vision, and main areas of work.

▪ Geographic areas of operation and main target groups.

▪ Past performance- provide examples of the work you have designed and implemented in the last 3 years

2. Rationale for Interest:
▪ Why are you interested in participating in this capacity development program?

▪ What specific capacity gaps or challenges do you wish to address through this program?

▪ How do you envision this program contributing to your organization's goals and impact?

3. Current Capacity Assessment (Brief):
▪ Briefly describe your organization's current strengths and areas for improvement across key functional areas (e.g., internal governance, financial management, program management, advocacy).

4. Team Commitment:
▪ Briefly describe the commitment of your leadership including the Board/ Executive Committee and key staff to participate in the program.

5. Community Action:
▪ Provide evidence on how your organization has led or participated in collective action interventions for the benefit of the community. What have been the impacts of such actions?

Submission Instructions:
• All applicants must submit an online ‘Intention to submit’ by the 23rd of September, 2025. Form is accessible on link:https://forms.gle/p4Dw7C8PDfn4n8ub7 (those who have done so already do not need to resubmit)

• All EOIs must be submitted electronically to: consortiumrecruit@gmail.com

• The subject line of the email should be: "EOI – Transformative Capacity Development Program - [Your Organization's Name]"

• Please combine all documents into a single PDF file.

• Due date for submission of the EOI is 1 October 2025

Fair treatment: to ensure fair treatment, those organizations that had submitted their EOI using an earlier deadline are able to re-submit a revised application in line with the corrigendum in this call. In the subject line of the email should be: "EOI – Transformative Capacity Development Program - [Your
Organization's Name]- Resubmission"

Physical Address: Those organisations wishing to submit physical copies can ensure the posted or physical delivery is received by 1 October 2025 at :
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum 18 Wanganui Road, Meyrick Park, Harare

NB. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, COSPE and the European Union, partners involved in the CS4Zim: Civil Society actors as drivers of transformative change in Zimbabwe program will maintain data provided in this EOI as part of its records for five years for the purposes of evaluation
and record keeping. Data will be maintained secured both electronically and in hard copy and only used for the CS4Zim programming purposes. Data will not be shared outside of this programme.

7. Selection Timeline:
An independent selection committee will review all submitted EOIs based on the eligibility criteria and the clarity of expressed needs. Shortlisted organizations may be invited for an interview or further assessment. The final selection will aim to ensure a diverse representation of organizations in terms
of thematic focus, geographic location, and organizational maturity:
Activity Timeframe/ date
Call of Expression of Interest published
Corrigendum 31 July 2025
01 September, 2025

Submission of questions by CSOs 12 September, 2025
Online Question and Answer Session 16 September, 2025
Deadline for Intention to submit online form 23 September, 2025
Deadline for Submission of EOI 1 October, 2025
Applications Review by selection committee 2 – 24 October, 2025
Notification of shortlisted organizations 4 November, 2025
Written feedback to All applicants 7 November, 2025
Appeals process close 21 November, 2025
Notification of Final selection 1 December, 2025
Transformative capacity development program December 2025- to December 2026

8. Contact Information:
Should you have any inquiries regarding this Call for Expressions of Interest, please submit them to
consortiumrecruit@gmail.com no later than 12 September 2025. An ONLINE information responding
to applicants questions will be conducted on 16 September 2025 via google meet or any other
appropriate online platform (link to be shared with applicants). Those wishing to attend the session
must register their interest on: consortiumrecruit@gmail.com