LRF: Call for Proposals for Community based Organizations: Community Rights Action Grants

Legal Resource Foundation (LRF) Community Rights Action Grants

The Community Rights (CommRights) project aims to improve the capacity of communitybased organizations (CBOs) to continue with citizen engagement work beyond the lifespan of the project. To this end, the LRF Community Rights program will award three Community Rights Action Grants per year to three community-based organizations (CBOs) that work in LRF ComRights program geographical areas1. The maximum value of the grant shall be USD12000.00 for a duration of 9 months. CBOs proposals shall focus on activities aimed at identification of issues that are of interest to citizens as well as community development interventions. CBO’s shall also work closely with local LRF’s Community Rights Resources Persons (CRRPs)2 who will work collaboratively with different stakeholders in exploring solutions to the identified issues. During this period, the LRF will support the identified
CBOs through various approaches such as mentorship, peer learning, networking and other techniques agreed upon with the CBO.

Selection Criteria for Community Based Organisations
• Be truly local to the specific area, CBOs based in the urban capitals (focusing on nonurban issues) and programming in multiple provinces do not qualify for this grant
• Have a strong community grassroots presence and backing from the community as reliable and capable of delivering community development
• Have a trackable history of passion for their areas of interest

• The work by CBOs should be centred on working with citizens and solution holders in ways that are sensitive to Gender, Disability and Social inclusion
• Official registration of the CBO though important, is not a prerequisite
• Ability and commitment to learning and adapting to new ideas
• Demonstrable capacity to implement projects
• Willingness to work with like minded organizations and individuals in collective action and collaboration LRF will support initiatives that aim to:
• Support citizens’ initiatives at a community level to demand service delivery, transparency, accountability and varied issues of concern to citizens.

Build capacity of citizens to design and implement citizen’s advocacy strategies around citizens’ concerns.
• Promote activities that will engage women, persons with disabilities and youth groups to actively participate in key democracy and governance decision making processes.
• Take into consideration gender specific needs as part of the consultation and planning process, and where relevant, design dedicated activities.
• Observance and/or protection of local community rights as provided for in the constitution of Zimbabwe.

Process Monitoring and Desired Change
The selected organisations will be required to submit periodic progress reports including their use of funds or resources availed to them. They will write how they are working and the key results they are producing (results monitoring) from their activities. They will have a process of documenting results, challenges/ issues and mitigation measures and lessons learnt. They will be willing to get additional help from LRF in such ways as program monitoring, financial spot checks, and joint action.

Community Rights Action Grant Mechanism
• Selected CBOs may or may not receive direct funds from LRF depending on the nature of regularization. It will be possible to receive goods and specific services.
• In kind grants will be provided to qualifying CBOs that may not have adequate formal requirements such as bank accounts and registration status.
• CBOs can receive direct cash transfers but only on a monthly basis depending on their progress in implementation and financial reports.
Publication of Call – 24 August 2022
Interested CBOs should request for concept note template and submit a completed version by 1700hrs on 31st August 2022 to po@lrf.co.zw copying lpd@lrf.co.zw. The subject line should have the acronym CRAG and the name of applying organization i.e ‘CRAG – XSVT’.
The time when the email is received will be considered the time of submission. Any technical issues relating to electronic submission are at the risk of the applicant. Proposals sent after the cut-off time will not be assessed.
Shortlisted applicants based on the proposals will be informed by 9 September 2022. The final selection will be made on the basis of a comparison of the proposals and organizational profile by the internal and external evaluators. The signing of grants will be done on September 23rd, 2022

Contact details
Legal Resources Foundation – 16 Oxford Road, Avondale, Harare.

Email: po@lrf.co.zw copying lpd@lrf.co.zw
Telephone: +263242333707