Call for Proposals: Implementing the Sustainable Action Fund in Malawi

Hivos

Call for Proposals: Implementing the Sustainable Action Fund in Malawi

Hivos’ Connect, Defend, Act! team in Malawi is looking for partners to implement the Sustainable Action Fund. The Fund is established to provide targeted financial and technical support for community-driven and civil society-led initiatives that protect, expand and promote inclusive civic space and human rights. Find the details of our work in Malawi and the criteria for this call for proposals below.

Context and background

All around the world, those in power, not only in autocratic governments but in established democracies as well, are increasingly imposing restrictions on civil society to freely express themselves, to protest systemic injustices and to organize themselves to defend fundamental human rights. Digital tools and platforms carry the potential to create safe and brave spaces for trust-based collaboration and increased access to information, but they remain shaped by unequal access, as well as undermined by increasingly sophisticated digital surveillance and attacks by state and non-state actors.

With support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), Hivos is implementing the Connect, Defend, Act! project. The project will respond to the issue of shrinking civic space and amplify civil society-led action in Malawi by supporting civil society actors in their efforts to defend and expand civic space. Civil society actors and rightsholders who are taking action to defend and expand civic space are confronted with an array of political, institutional, legal, and societal forces actively working against their goals. Civil society actors have needs such as safe and trustworthy spaces for evidence-based learning and strategizing, strengthened capacity to respond to mounting digital attacks, and access to funding to increase organizational flexibility and resilience. The project has the following goals and three strategic objectives:

Project goal

Civil society actors in Malawi can positively influence the openness of and respond to changes in the civic space.

Project objectives

  1. By promoting coalition building among diverse civil society actors, including human rights defenders, rights holder-led civil society organizations, and independent media actors, grounded in civil society-led evidence gathering and knowledge production, and facilitated by context-specific communities of action.
  2. By contributing to safe and inclusive digital civic spaces for sustained collaboration and action among civil society actors through localized holistic digital security capacity strengthening, knowledge production, and active referral to digital protection providers.
  3. By increasing civil society actors’ flexibility to rapidly respond to changes in civic space through organizational capacity strengthening and the provision of strategic funding for sustainable action.

The project aims to strategically support relevant actors within civil society whose work actively contributes to civic space from the perspective of different sectors and interests, particularly including groups who are marginalized within civil society, such as women, youth, marginalized persons, indigenous people, and others. Across all activities and outcomes, the project will promote local ownership and leadership, with Hivos taking a facilitating and supporting role that emphasizes civil society actors’ agency and existing knowledge.

Executive Summary- Connect, Defend, Act! Baseline Study

The baseline study assessed the state of civic space in Malawi, focusing on civil society coalitions, barriers faced by actors, and organizational capacity gaps. The study revealed varying perceptions of the environment among civil society organizations (CSOs), facing challenges in participating in civic activities. Key challenges include resource shortages, legal barriers, threats, intimidation, and institutional constraints. Media actors also highlighted the importance of independent media in promoting civic space, but some felt media independence was compromised by government influence. Threats to civic space were also found, with media actors experiencing physical threats, digital attacks, and legal actions.

Read the baseline study here  https://hivos.org/connect-defend-act-baseline-studies-2024

The study also found out that CSOs in Malawi face various digital threats, including phishing, hacking, and online harassment. Despite having a somewhat safe physical environment, half of CSOs reported a mixed public perception of their work. Digital security knowledge among CSOs varied, with 16.7% rated as “Excellent,” 50% as “Fair,” and 33.3% as “Poor.” To combat these threats, CSOs have implemented measures like antivirus software, firewalls, strong password protocols, and regular training. CSOs indicated that they provide digital security training to their staff. However, there are gaps in organizational capacity for CSOs and media actors in Malawi, with only 83% having access to sustainable funding. Structural barriers, such as limited donor interest, competition, geographic isolation, and bureaucratic processes, hinder access to funds.

The study also found out that half of Central Social Initiatives (CSOs) in Malawi lack contingency plans for emergencies, indicating vulnerabilities in adapting to rapidly changing environments. CSOs felt somewhat prepared, and there were discrepancies in strategy updates, possibly due to resource constraints or inadequate capacity. CSOs’ approaches to addressing capacity gaps varied, with some focusing on internal capacity building and others on external partnerships and funding. Coalitions focused on human rights and gender equality faced challenges, including lack of trust, inadequate funding, poor coordination, and political pressure. Strengthening leadership, securing stable funding, and fostering better coordination are crucial for improving coalition effectiveness in Malawi.

Seeking a Partner

One of the main challenges Civil Society Actors (CSAs) face when responding to emerging threats or sudden opportunities is the limited availability of sustainable, flexible funding beyond narrow project deliverables. Many CSAs operate within a context of financial scarcity and limited organizational sustainability. To address this, the project will provide flexible resources alongside organizational strengthening and external networking support, enhancing CSAs’ strategic capacity to act swiftly – either to capitalize on opportunities or to mobilize broad-based support in response to attacks on civic space.

The CDA! project supports initiatives that protect, expand, and promote open and inclusive civic space and human rights. In line with this mission, the Sustainable Action Fund (SAF) is established to provide targeted financial and technical support for community-driven and civil society-led initiatives that demonstrate sustainability, innovation, and impact in defending.

Purpose of the Sustainable Action Fund

The SAF aims to:

  • Support initiatives that enhance civic space and resilience.
  • Promote sustainable practices that reinforce democratic governance and human rights
  • Provide flexible funding for time-sensitive or emerging civic issues.
  • Strengthen the organizational capacity of local civil society organizations (CSOs).

Scope of the fund

The SAF will support projects in the following thematic areas:

  • Civic engagement and public participation
  • Human rights and freedom of expression
  • Digital rights and online civic space protection
  • Gender equality and inclusion within civic spaces

Hivos will assess partners based on their experience and expertise in producing outputs relevant to civic space issues, their thematic focus and competencies, and their networks and collaborations with other CSAs. Diversity and inclusion will be central to this selection process, ensuring equitable access to funding and support for women, youth, and marginalized groups.

Partnership selection will favor those aligning with this CDA Theory of Change: IF Human Rights Defenders, CSOs and Media actors are supported to form and sustain coalitions which allow for exchange of experience and learning and make use of safe and inclusive digital civic spaces AND IF these Civil Society Coalitions are empowered to rapidly respond to changes in civic space thanks to increased resources, knowledge, infrastructure and capacity for action, THEN Civil Society Actors will be able to exert influence on the openness of civic space more safely and effectively LEADING TO a more resilient and inclusive civic space which is a crucial condition for thriving, inclusive societies.

Who is encouraged and eligible to apply?

We encourage applications from national, regional, or local civil society actors including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), grassroots organizations, action-based/movement groups, etc. It is essential that the organizations have balanced composition of youth, women, local/traditional/indigenous, diverse groups and (if any) person with disabilities.

Organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

  • Registered and based in Malawi, working either at the local, regional, or national level
  • Proven track record in playing roles as facilitator/convener for civil society actors linking and learning
  • Proven track record in defending human rights and civic space, particularly the rights of marginalized rights holders
  • Adequate operational and financial management experience
  • Clean human rights record, with no involvement in sexual violence
  • Strong commitment to intersectionality, demonstrated through their work and principles
  • Led by, or closely collaborating with, youth, women, local/traditional/indigenous, diverse groups, and (if applicable) persons with disabilities
  • Willing to challenge the status quo of Malawi’s civic space and collaborate with other stakeholders to connect, defend, and act to protect and expand civic space

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed using a weighted scoring approach, as specified below:

Quality of the proposal: Demonstrating a strong understanding of the analytical /contextual /logistical issues relevant for a study of this type and the objectives of the baseline study 40%
Quality of the team: Relevant expertise, experience, understanding of the issues, and ability to collaborate productively in an international setting 25%
Quality of the partner’s best work performed 10%
Budget, compliance, and references: Cost and value for money 25%

Specifically, we are looking for:

  • Clear aim and objectives: A well-defined purpose and set of objectives.
  • Context analysis: A thorough examination of the What, When, Who, Where, Why, and How (5W1H), demonstrating a deep understanding of the context in which the organization operates.
  • Holistic approach: A comprehensive perspective on the interconnectedness of civic spaces (digital and non-digital), recognizing not only vibrant civic activities but also strong anti-military/militarization attitudes; not only the presence of dissent but the absence of fear in expressing it; not only the freedom to make decisions but the capacity to make informed decisions; not only confidence in expressing one’s own voice but solidarity in amplifying the voices of others; and not only openness in physical and digital spaces but also their interconnections, where resistance in one space supports resistance in the other.
  • Rightsholder representation: Demonstrated commitment to involving, representing, and amplifying the voices of vulnerable and marginalized groups (e.g., youth, women, local/traditional/indigenous communities, diverse groups, persons with disabilities).
  • Utilization of CDA! baseline study: Integrate the plan of how these resources, including civic space monitoring reports produced by other CDA partners, will be used as knowledge products, learning materials, and tools for collaboration, advocacy, and campaigns.
  • Innovation: The degree to which the proposal proposes innovative, accessible, relevant, and user-friendly activities and outputs.
  • Intersectional approach: A clear integration of intersectional (examining the different levels of powers and vulnerabilities) considerations throughout the proposed activities and outputs.

Grant value

The total amount of the Sustainable Action Grant is EUR 80,000 for one partner annually. Applications should be within this range.

Application deadline

Submissions must be received at by 3rd July 2025, 16:00 hrs

How to apply

Applicants who meet the requirements should submit a package of the following documentation:

  • A proposal as per the attached template
  • Updated organization’s profile and organogram
  • Cover letter.
  • NGORA certificate
  • Letter of support from government authorities
  • Consolidated Annual Audit Reports for the past 3 years (2022, 2023 and 2024)
  • At least three donor references (submitted directly to Hivos)
  • Names and CVs of personnel who hold key positions in the organization
  • Detailed proposed activities related to the efforts strengthening cooperation, stimulate exchange, linking, learning, and building joint actions to address the challenges of shrinking civic spacetime. Including outputs, and work plan with a timeline
  • A budget proposal aligned with the proposed activities and outputs covering the period of 12 months
  • At least 2 copies of sample reports of your best previous work

The submission should be sent to proposals.hubsaf@hivos.org with the subject “CDA Sustainable Action Funds” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please click the link below to access the following documents.

https://hivos.org/assets/2025/05/CDA-Sustainable-Action-Fund.zip

  • Annex A
  • Budget Template
  • Narrative Proposal Template
  • Tenderer’s Declaration
  • Baseline survey

Complete and submit them as part of the package

Further information

For further information, questions or clarifications regarding this Call for proposal, please send an email to proposals.hubsaf@hivos.org with the subject “Queries – Sustainable Action Fund.” Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted