Request for Best Practices and Innovations from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
RFA # CEAA-BPIA-02
Issued on September 12, 2024
1. Overview
The East West Management Institute, Inc. (EWMI), in collaboration with local Zimbabwean Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), is spearheading the Citizen Engagement for Accountability Activity (CEAA), a five-year initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). CEAA aims to foster a culture of political and civic engagement in Zimbabwe by enhancing citizen participation in governance processes, with a focus on citizen-driven development. The initiative collaborates with local organizations and seeks innovative methods, unique approaches, and partnerships to achieve its goals. CEAA’s objectives are to: (1) Activate citizen agency for accountability; (2) Strengthen women’s leadership and inclusion, and (3) Increase youth empowerment and positive engagement.
In alignment with CEAA’s flagship Social Labs Approach, which encourages experimentation with innovative solutions to local challenges, EWMI is introducing the Best Practice and Innovation Awards (BPIA). This initiative allows Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and local, national, and locally registered international organizations to showcase their innovations, collaborate, and learn from each other. The BPIA will be presented during the NANGO 14th NGO Directors Summer Retreat at Troutbeck Hotel in Nyanga from October 23 to 25, 2024.
2. Best Practice and Innovation Awards
The BPIA will be awarded through a two-step process:
Step 1: Applicants must submit their Best Practices and Innovative Approaches/Activities addressing significant development challenges. Submissions should follow the format outlined in Section 6 and will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section 5. Only practices and innovations developed within the past three years are eligible.
Step 2: Shortlisted applicants will present their Best Practices and Innovative Approaches/Activities at the NANGO 14th NGO Directors Summer Retreat, scheduled for October 23-25, 2024. Awards will be based on these presentations.
Up to two (2) awards will be given, with each Best Practice and Innovation receiving a cash prize of up to USD 1,000.
3. Award Priorities
Priority will be given to CSOs and CBOs that:
- Demonstrate best practices or innovative approaches to addressing pressing development challenges at local or national levels.
- Collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders and actors.
- Provide a reference or letter of commendation from their constituencies or key stakeholders involved in the solution.
4. Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include CSOs and CBOs that are either legally registered or not formally registered in Zimbabwe. Interested organizations must:
- Operate as locally embedded Civil Society Organizations working at the district or national levels.
- Be available to attend the NANGO 14th NGO Directors Summer Retreat in October 2024.
- Be prepared to deliver an oral presentation of their best practice and innovative approach at the retreat.
- Function as independent, non-politically affiliated organizations.
- Not be debarred, suspended, excluded, or otherwise ineligible to receive U.S. Government funding.
5. Evaluation Process and Criteria
An independent Review Committee (RC) established by EWMI/CEAA will oversee the selection process. Shortlisted applicants may be required to provide additional information. The evaluation criteria include:
- Innovativeness: How novel is the solution in addressing local developmental challenges?
- Desirability: Is there a demand for this solution among groups or organizations?
- Feasibility: How viable is the idea for scaling up? Are key stakeholders involved collaboratively? How does this solution compare to existing ones?
- Viability: How sustainable is the solution over time? Is it contextually appropriate? How does it overcome implementation constraints?
- Urgency: How pressing is the need for this solution?
6. Application Submission Procedures
- Submissions can include written documents, presentations, video snippets, pictures, and audio recordings of CSOs’ best practices and innovations.
- Submissions should be in English, although interventions may be in local languages.
- Applicants are encouraged to present their ideas in the format that best showcases innovation and best practices.
Submission Guidelines
- Written submissions must not exceed seven (7) pages, single-spaced, using 12-point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins on 8.5 x 11-inch paper, left justified, with page numbers in the footer.
- Videos and audio recordings should not exceed 20 minutes.
- Picture submissions should include no more than 20 different pieces.
- A combination of media formats is acceptable.
Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will be disqualified. All submissions must be the original work of the applicant organization. Misrepresentation will lead to disqualification.
EWMI/CEAA will retain all submitted materials and use them solely for the purposes outlined in this solicitation and engagement with internal stakeholders. CEAA will not reimburse applicants for costs related to the submission preparation.
7. Timeline
- Invitation to apply: September 12, 2024
- Deadline for clarification requests: September 16, 2024
- Clarifications issued: September 18, 2024
- Submission deadline: October 1, 2024
- Evaluation of submissions: October 4, 2024
- Notification of shortlisted applicants: October 8, 2024
- Presentations at NANGO Annual Directors Retreat: October 23-25, 2024
- Award Presentation: October 25, 2024
8. Clarifications
Submit clarification requests by the deadline via email to grants_ceaa@ewmi-zw.org. Best Practice and Innovation Award submissions should be sent to the same email address by 17:00 on October 1, 2024, with “RFA # CEAA-BPIA-02: Best Practice and Innovation Award” in the subject line.