Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Local and Grassroot CSOs – Round Two

The Civil Society Fund Plus (CSF Plus) Programme is financed by the European Union (EU) and is designed to promote a vibrant, inclusive, and independent civil society, fostering participatory governance, democratic engagement, and open dialogue between civil society actors and policymakers.

Christian Aid has been awarded a contract to implement the programme along with three national CSOs as co-beneficiaries: Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Forum (ECSF), Civil Society Resource Center (CSRC) and Chura Abugida Artistic Association (CAAA).

The program has commenced in Addis Ababa City Administration, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia and Tigray Regional states and will be implemented for a period of four years (01 February 2025 – 31 January 2029).

Christian Aid, in partnership with the co-beneficiaries, is pleased to announce an open call for Expression of Interest (EOI), focusing on smaller and emerging local and grassroot CSOs, operating at local level and working for the economic and social benefit of marginalized communities, and/or engaging in governance, democracy, peacebuilding, human rights issues at regional, zonal, and Woreda levels.

You are cordially invited to apply for this initiative, which aims to strengthen the capacity of local and grassroots CSOs and expand the space for effective engagement as credible actors in good governance and development.

What We Provide:

• Financial Support to Subgrantees: this will focus on providing grants to support community-driven projects that align with the call’s thematic areas, as set out in the EoI Guideline (Annex III).
• Tailored Capacity Strengthening: provision of targeted training, workshops, and resources aimed at strengthening organizational capacity and enhancing impact.
• Networking Opportunities: Facilitation of exchanges and connections among CSOs to promote the sharing of best practices and foster strategic collaborations.

We particularly welcome applications from organizations led by women, youth and organizations of persons with disabilities.

Project Areas: We are particularly interested in supporting projects that contribute to creating an enabling environment conducive to CSOs development and the protection of civic space; promote governance and social inclusion; empower youth voice and agency; support conflict resolution and peacebuilding; foster social cohesion; help prevent illegal migration, advance women’s rights and leadership; and strengthen social accountability in the delivery of basic services. These thematic areas are accompanied by a non-exhaustive menu of possible activities, outlined for reference in the EOI guideline (Annex III).

We welcome applications from:

• Local and grassroot CSOs demonstrating operational experience in, and/or a physical presence (e.g. an office) within the target region where they are applying for.
• Networks and Associations operating in the target regions and representing multiple CSOs with shared interest.
• CSO networks promoting collaboration, knowledge-sharing and advocacy for a CSO enabling environment, operating both in the project target regions and in Addis Ababa City Administration.