ActionAid Zambia (AAZ) is part of the ActionAid Global (AAG) Federation, sharing common values and aims to drive social change towards a just, equitable, and sustainable world. ActionAid Zambia works with poor and excluded women and young people, their organisations and movements, to address the structural causes of social injustice, gender inequality and poverty. This fight is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have identified the importance of addressing poverty alongside inequality. 

Our Vision

A just, equitable, and sustainable Zambia in which every person enjoys freedom from poverty and oppression for the enjoyment of their right to a life of dignity.

Our Mission

To promote Social Justice, Gender Equality & Poverty Eradication for the people living in Poverty, Exclusion and Marginalised in Society by working with the people living in poverty, their communities, Zambia organisations, Activists & Social Movements for a Just sustainable. 

Our Approach and Ways of Working Using the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA)

AAZ supports, builds knowledge and skills of collective agencies of people that spearhead evidence-based lobbying and advocacy to shift power in people’s favour. Believing in local initiatives and capabilities to ensure sustainability, AAZ is committed to strengthening its work through partnerships and being less of an implementer but more of a visible capacity builder and facilitator of change. AAZ ensures inter‐linkages across priorities, programmes, and projects. We ensure that initiatives are consistent from local to the national level and adequately feed into federation and global initiatives. Recognising the developmental challenges posed by patriarchy, AAZ applies a feminist lens and puts women and young people at the centre of driving transformative change. With support from the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), ActionAid Zambia has been implementing the “Strengthening Civil Society Effectiveness in Promoting Good Governance and Increasing Citizens’ Awareness and Demand for Human Rights in Zambia” Project for over seven (7) years now. Now in its second phase, the overall goal of the project is to increase citizens' awareness and demand for human rights in Zambia. Under this phase, the project’s implementation period is from 2024 to June 2028. We are pleased to announce this Call for Proposals, inviting Social Movements in Zambia to submit project ideas that aim to address the following objectives and Result areas: 

Objectives

1. To enhance Civic Participation, Accountability, and Inclusive Democracy by the year 2028 

Key Result Area

• Citizens, particularly youth and women, actively participate in oversight of public resources, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), contributing to improved transparency and accountability in governance processes.
• Communities are empowered to critically engage with and influence legislative processes, to protect civil liberties and democratic space.
• Enhanced legal and institutional frameworks safeguard the right to protest, organise, and express dissent, reducing risks for human rights defenders and activists.

2. To advocate for Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for adolescents, women, and marginalised people 

Key Result Area

• Access to better health is promoted through strengthened capacity of CSOs and citizens to demand for accountability in the provision of quality health care.

1. Community Action Grant

ActionAid Zambia is therefore requesting for proposals / Concept Notes from interested Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) willing to be involved and take action to change their own societies and communities. This call is under the Community Action Grant and provides funding to support community interventions focusing on any of the following programme thematic areas within a limited time frame of up to a minimum of six (6) months and a maximum of one (1) year. 

Grant Amount: K150,000.00 Minimum and K700,000.00 Maximum Duration: Minimum six (6) months and Maximum One (1) Year six months Geographical Scope: The project should be implemented in any of the following provinces: Eastern (Chipata), Southern (Choma), North-Western (Solwezi), Muchinga and Western Provinces. Participating organisations must have operational offices in the respective project locations. 

Eligibility Criteria

1. Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) with membership of not less than 20 people, inclusive of youth and women, with a proven record of community engagement. Women’s Rights Organisations are encouraged to apply 2. Demonstrate capacity to work with people living with disabilities. 3. CBOs should demonstrate a leadership structure with youth and women involvement in leadership structures. 4. Creative initiatives / innovations to address any of the following objectives: 

• To enhance Civic Participation, Accountability, and Inclusive Democracy by the year 2028.

• To advocate for Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for adolescents, women, and marginalised people by the year 2028. 

5.Proposed action must be in line with the Human Rights Based Approach 6.Must be willing to work with ActionAid Zambia Hub offices on activity basis 7.Must have a traceable physical address and bank account.

8.Must be non-political organisation and a purely community-driven organisation.

9.One grant per application.

Applicants must be able to supply a recommendation and/or reference letter from any of the following: Reputable NGO operating with the Community Based Organisation (CB0) or Traditional Leader or Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare 

Application Process

The following documents must be filled in according to the given instructions in /within the documents.

1. Community Action grant application form

2. Community Action grant concept note

3. Budget 

Note: To apply, kindly download the Community Action grant application form and Community Grant concept note. The budget for the Community Action Grant is on the application form. Use the link below to download the forms

Community Action Grant Forms Downloads

Filled in applications should be emailed to the appropriate email address: Community.Zambia@actionaid.org 

2. Social Movement

Grant ActionAid Zambia is requesting for proposals / Concept Notes from interested and eligible Movements. This call under the Social Movement Grant provides funding to Movements that aim to undertake interventions relating to any of the two objectives and will respond to emerging issues in Zambia:

• To enhance Civic Participation, Accountability, and Inclusive Democracy by the year 2027. 

• To advocate for Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for adolescents, women, and marginalised people by the year 2027. 

Grant Amount: K100,000.00 minimum and K300,000 Maximum.

Duration: Minimum three (3) months and Maximum six (6) Months

Geographical Scope: The project should be implemented in any of the following provinces: Eastern, Southern, North-Western, Muchinga, and Western Provinces. Participating organisations must have physical presence in the respective project locations. 

Eligibility Criteria

The Social Movements that meet the criteria below are eligible to apply for this grant.

• Shared Vision and Purpose: The Movement should have a clearly defined vision, mission, and purpose that resonate with its members and address a specific social issue or challenge aligned to the Project Goal.

• Grassroots Support: The Movement should have a broad base of support from individuals and communities directly affected by the social issue. It should demonstrate the ability to mobilise and engage a significant number of people who are passionate about the cause.

• Organisational Structure: Although not legally registered, the movement should have group representation that enables effective coordination, communication, and decision making among its members. 

• Non-violent and Peaceful Approach: The Movement should adhere to non-violent and peaceful methods of advocacy and protest, promoting dialogue, cooperation, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

• Inclusivity and Diversity: The Movement should strive to be inclusive, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds, including different genders, ages, ethnicities, religions, and socio-economic groups. It should ensure the participation of marginalised and vulnerable populations. 

• Grassroots Leadership: The Movement should be driven by grassroots leadership, giving voice and decision-making power to the affected communities. Leaders should emerge from within the movement, reflecting the diversity of its members.

• Public Awareness and Engagement: The Movement should demonstrate a commitment to raising public awareness about the particular social issue, effectively communicating its goals and messages to a wider audience. It should actively engage with the public, media, and other stakeholders to create dialogue and generate support.

• Sustained Activism: The Movement should have a track record of sustained activism, demonstrating long-term commitment to the cause. This can be evidenced through a history of campaigns, protests, advocacy efforts, and grassroots initiatives aimed at addressing the social issue.

• Impact and Achievements: The Movement should be able to demonstrate tangible impact and achievements in advancing its goals and objectives. This can include policy changes, social transformations, increased public awareness, or improvements in the lives of affected individuals or communities.

• Transparency and Accountability: The Movement should exhibit transparency in its operations and decision-making processes, ensuring accountability to its members and the public.

Application Process

The following documents must be filled in according to the given instructions in /within the documents.

1. Social Movement Action grant application form.

2. Social Movement grant concept note   

Note: To apply, kindly download the Social Movement grant application form and Social Movement Grant concept note. The budget for the social movement is on the application form. Use the link below to download the forms:

Social Movement Grant Forms Downloads

Filled in applications should be emailed to the appropriate email address: Social.Zambia@actionaid.org

Physical Application forms can be collected and delivered at the following addresses:

1. North Western Province

ActionAid Zambia Hub Office

Catholic Diocese of Solwezi

P.O Box 110033 Kyankwankwa Drive

Solwezi

2. Southern Province

ActionAid Zambia Hub Office

Plot 1199/25 Mwanachingwala Street

Town Center

Choma 

3. Western Province

ActionAid Zambia Hub Office

Sesheke Constituency Office

National Assembly

Sesheke

4. Eastern Province

ActionAid Zambia Hub Office

1 st Floor, Room No. 101

NAPSA Building

Umodzi Highway

Chipata

Application Support

Access to Application support through Virtual Information Session or email support is provided solely for clarification purposes and does not confer any advantage in the proposal assessment or selection process. 

• Virtual information sessions will be held on the 22nd of January 2026 at 14:00 using this meeting link.

• info.zambia@actionaid.org will be open for clarifications until 23rd January 2026 at 13:00 CAT.

• Clarifications may also be made via telephone on +260966453677 until the 23rd of January 2026 at 13:00 CAT. 

Deadline for Submission

All applications must be submitted by Tuesday 27th January 2026, 17:00 (CAT).

Late submissions will not be considered.