Guideline For Strategic Grant Call For Concept Note 15719

Call for Concept Note:
Strategic Grant Application

Guideline
Civil Society Support Programme Phase 2
(CSSP2)
July 2019
Addis Ababa
Welcome to CSSP2
Thank you for your interest in the Civil Society Support Programme Phase 2 (CSSP2)
Strategic Grants. This guideline will help you to decide whether you need to apply, and
explains about CSSP2 strategic themes and sub themes, and requirements etc. The
guideline is intended as the primary guidance document for the preparation of applications.
In order to apply for this grant, you have to:
1) read through this document carefully

2) check that you meet the mandatory eligibility requirements
3) complete the attached concept note application form
4) complete the declaration form (The lead CSO and each co-applicant should
complete)
5) complete and sign the MoU of teaming agreement
6) attach your supporting documents
The Civil Society Support Programme Phase Two (CSSP2) is funded by the people of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden and Norway. The
Programme is managed by the British Council, in consortium with PACT UK and Social Development Direct
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Contents
1. Background information ...................................................................................... 1
2. Theory of change .................................................................................................. 1
3. Strategic themes ................................................................................................... 2
4 Indicative grant size .......................................................................................... 12
5 Project duration .................................................................................................. 13
6. Orientation session ............................................................................................ 13
7. Geographic coverage ......................................................................................... 13
8. Eligibility criteria ................................................................................................. 14
9. Rules of the call .................................................................................................. 14
10. Allowable and unallowable costs ................................................................. 16
11. Application procedure .................................................................................... 17
12. Application deadline ....................................................................................... 18
13. Assessment of applications .......................................................................... 18
14. Selection process ........................................................................................... 20
15. Full grant application ...................................................................................... 20
16. Grant approval ................................................................................................. 20
17. Appeal mechanism ......................................................................................... 20
18. Annexes ............................................................................................................ 20
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1. Background information
Civil Society Support Programme Phase 2 (CSSP2) in Ethiopia is a three year programme
(August 2018 to August 2021) intended to operate in all regions of Ethiopia within the legal
framework of the country. CSSP2 is funded by the peoples of the United Kingdom, Ireland,
Sweden, and Norway; and the programme is managed by the British Council, in consortium
with Pact UK and Social Development Direct.
CSSP2 aims to support Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to help them to
contribute to the country’s national development, poverty reduction and advancement of
good governance in line with the government’s policies and strategies. CSSP2 therefore
works to build effective relationships that foster collaboration between civil society actors,
citizen and the government in order to support CSOs to work on the rights and needs of
women, men, youth, boys and girls, including those hard to reach groups.
Since CSSP2 is adopting an adaptive programming approach, the programme is suited to

respond to the changing context and varied issues flexibly and strategically through its three
grant windows (strategic, flexible, and local action grants).
Informed by the strategic review and analysis, CSSP2 has recently identified three strategic
themes/issues (each with three sub-themes) on which strategic grants to respond to. CSSP2
aims to support CSOs through strategic grants to adopt human rights based approach in
their interventions; and work in coalition with others to engage with the government to
influence policy and programming.
This guideline is a primary source document in the management of strategic grant

applications: It helps to give guidance and direction to interested and eligible CSOs in the
preparation and submission of applications on strategic themes and sub themes-under
strategic grant window.
CSSP2 invites applicants from across all regions of Ethiopia, but it encourages applicants
who will implement projects in the emerging regions such as Afar, Somali, Gambella and
Benshangul Gumz.
2. Theory of change
In order to achieve CSSP2’s programme purpose, CSSP2 has developed the following
theory of change which should guide potential applicants; and to which grantees should
contribute to.
If CSSP2:
 Supports selected civil society organisations (CSOs) to become more professional,
accountable and active organisations, better able to identify and respond to and
represent the needs of women, men, youth, boys and girls, including those hard to
reach groups;
 Supports the Agency for Civil Society Organisations (ACSO) and other key sector
offices to implement the new CSO legislation through open, transparent and practical
engagement with Ethiopian civil society and its representative organisations;
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 Navigates a potentially dynamic context skilfully, tailoring its approaches and
relationships in near-real time based on relevant political economy analysis,
appropriate research and targeted learning, including beneficiary feedback.
Then:
 These CSOs will be able to develop more and better collaborative relations (with
their communities; with each other; and with government) in support of the people
and communities with which they work; and
 Government will increasingly value the benefits of an enhanced culture of dialogue
and constructive policy advocacy which will help to improve policy-making and
service delivery through increased evidence-based decision making.
And then:
 Government, CSO and public trust and confidence in each other will grow helping to
create an enabling environment in which there is an increasing space for constructive
dialogue ‘and requisite action’ between citizens and government on issues of
common concern;
Contributing towards:
 Responsive and accountable governance for better equitable and inclusive access to
services; and an improving environment for the promotion and protection of the
human rights of all Ethiopians.
3. Strategic themes
CSSP2 identified three strategic themes (each with three sub-themes) on which applicants
should prepare and submit their strategic grant applications. The themes are young people,
gender transformation, and citizen-state engagement.
The purpose of strategic grants is to support CSOs to implement projects in pre-identified

strategic themes/issues that are relevant to the changing socio-economic and political
contexts, where there is an opportunity for having a multiplier effect in various development
outcomes, while at the same time maintaining a focus on hard to reach communities and
issues where they overlap.
The three strategic themes (each with three sub-themes) are presented diagrammatically
and described below.
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Diagram1:CSSP2 strategic themes and sub-themes
CSSP2 Strategic Themes
Gender Young Citizen-state

Transformation people Engagement
Gender based Substance Social

violence abuse minorities
inclusion
Land rights Decent work Stronger,

better CSOs
Political
participation Youth voice Trust and
confidence
3.1 Gender transformation
The purpose of this strategic theme is to support CSOs, especially women’s rights
organisations (WROs), to implement projects designed to address the systemic underlying
causes of gender inequality in Ethiopia, including through work with both formal and/or
informal institutions. The premise of the theme is that transformational change will happen
when CSOs/WROs have sufficient institutional capacity; work together with other WROs to
build a movement; and have the resources they need to engage with government and other
powerful actors to challenge formal and informal power structures, institutions and norms.
The proposed grant applications are expected to employ at least two of the following
strategies:
 Institutional capacity building of WROs

 Policy engagement and advocacy, research & social and behavioral change
communication in areas that address the systemic gaps in gender equality.
 Movement building, coalition building & networking of WROs/CSOs within the
country
Under this strategic theme, there are three sub themes that CSSP2 has prioritised to work
on:
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3.1.1 Reducing gender based violence (GBV)
GBV is a manifestation of deep rooted gender inequality, as well as a major risk factor in
women’s empowerment and well-being. Different forms of gender based violence are
widespread in Ethiopia. Social norms that perpetuate gender based violence are deeply
entrenched. The tendency to report cases of violence and seek assistance by survivors is
very low, due to lack of legal awareness, stigma or lack of trust in the justice system.
Absence of a comprehensive law and other legal challenges also affect survivors’ access to
justice. The attitude of law enforcement personnel towards gender based violence is a
reflection of the patriarchal social norms and they tend to be lenient. The weak accountability
system coupled with harmful social norms limit the effective implementation of existing laws.
CSSP2 will support a holistic approach to address GBV with interventions that assist
prevention, mitigation and response to GBV, including improving systems of support and
rehabilitation to survivors of violence. The projects supported need to tackle systemic
causes of GBV related to social norms in the informal sphere and the functioning of the
justice sector in the formal sphere.
Projects supported under this sub-theme are expected to contribute to at least three of the
following four main result areas.
 Empowering women and girls and their organisations (WROs): building the
capacity of women’s rights organisations to organise and jointly advocate for
revision and implementation of laws on gender based violence
 Shifting social norms: adopting different community mobilisation and behavioural
change tools to shift social norms at local level by engaging various community
groups; building the capacity of media organisations to improve responsible
reporting on GBV and public education
 Improving response to mitigate GBV: building the capacity of law enforcement
personnel to implement existing laws and engaging in national level advocacy for
revision of laws on GBV
 Improving services for survivors of violence: providing legal aid, legal
representation and self-representation skills to women survivors; improving referral
systems for medical, legal and psychological support to survivors. (Note that
provision of improved services for survivors will only be supported as part of a wider
programme on GBV that addresses systems, such as norms and legal frameworks
and institutional practices.)
Projects supported are encouraged to work in at least one of the emerging regions
(Gambela, Benishangul, Somali and Afar). Projects are also encouraged to work in
partnership with organisations representing people with disability working on gender based
violence.
3.1.2 Women’s land rights
Access and control of land is a strategic pathway to women’s economic empowerment in

Ethiopia, where 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with livelihoods depending on
agriculture. Access and control over land contributes to increasing women’s economic
security, reducing their reliance on male partners and relatives and increasing their
bargaining power in the household. It also contributes to improved household food security
and poverty reduction.
Ethiopia’s 1995 constitution, the federal revised family code of 2000 and the Federal Land
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Administration and Use Proclamation of 2005 provide some of the basic legal frameworks
that ensure women’s equal access to land in Ethiopia. However there are a lot of challenges
to the enforcement and protection of existing legal rights. While, in recent years, there is
progress in women having documented land rights through land certification process in
regions, such as Tigray, Amhara, SNNPR and Oromia, women face a lot of challenges in the
registration process. Even when they have certification, women can lose their land rights
due to violence or lack of a supportive system when land disputes arise. Court decisions
made in favour of women on land cases sometimes face enforcement problems. During
divorce women are often disadvantaged during share of land and traditional mediation
systems are biased against them. In some communities, cultural and religious practices lead
to dispossession of women’s right to land. Women’s representation in land governance
structures, such as kebele land administration committees is very low, which contributes to
decisions being passed that are biased against women. Women, especially in male headed
households, have limited ability to assert control over the land they use. They also have
limited access to support and information, labour and non-labour inputs and extension
support, which they need to make effective use of land.
CSSP2 aims to support projects on women’s land rights that will work in a complimentary
way with existing initiatives, such as other donor supported land programmes, and harness
existing opportunities, such as, an ongoing effort to revise the federal rural land
administration and use proclamation. CSSP2 aims to support projects that facilitate learning
across various initiatives and work with others to jointly push for policy actions.
Projects supported under this focus theme are expected to contribute to at least three of the
following result areas:
• Improved legal frameworks on women’s land rights and protection and

enforcement of existing legal rights: advocacy for endorsement of the revised draft
federal land administration and use proclamation at the national level and its subsequent
adoption by regional governments; research on rural land administration and use
proclamations and their application in emerging regions, such as, Gambela and
Benishangul to generate evidence for advocacy to improve women’s land rights in
emerging regions; advocacy for improved representation of women in land governance
structures, including kebele land administration committees
• Improved capacity of local government structures to enforce and protect women’s
land rights: building capacity of woreda level government offices responsible for
protecting and enforcing women’s land rights, including, land administration and use
office, courts, women’s affairs offices and woreda administration offices; supporting
linkage between relevant local government organisations and universities to provide
legal assistance to women and vulnerable groups on land disputes; supporting
coordination platforms among woreda offices responsible for enforcing and protecting
women land rights
• Improved capacity of women rights organisations and women’s associations to
promote women’s land rights: legal education on women’s land rights targeting
women rights associations; support to women rights organisations to provide legal
assistance and legal representation to women by linking with organisations that can
provide legal aid; supporting dialogue between women’s rights organisations and local
government offices on status and challenges around women’s land rights
• Changing social norms on women land rights: engaging elders, kebele land
administration committees and other influential members of the community on dialogue
around women land rights; public education on women land rights and improved decision
making power
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• Improved capacity of women and other community organisations to advocate for
rights of local communities in the context of large scale land based investments:
research on legal frameworks and their application for land expropriation (related to large
scale land based investments) in emerging regions, such as, Gambela and Benishangul
and its impact on women’s land rights to generate evidence for advocacy; building
capacity of organisations of indigenous/ local communities to raise community
consciousness on land rights, organise and represent concerns of their constituency in
dialogue with local government; building capacity of local government organs, including
working with the justice system, to improve implementation of responsible agricultural
investment guidelines; facilitating dialogue between organisations representing
indigenous/local communities, local government and investors on large scale land based
investments
Projects supported under this sub theme will be encouraged to focus especially on emerging
regions (Gambela, Benishaingul, Afar and Somali regions) where women’s land rights are
poorly protected and enforced.
Coalitions between CSOs and research institutions1 to support the research components of
the project are also encouraged.
3.1.3 Women’s political participation
Improved women’s political participation is an outcome that can have a multiplier effect in
various areas of women’s rights, including development of gender sensitive and responsive
public services, women’s economic empowerment, and peace and security outcomes.
Although, recently in Ethiopia more women have assumed political leadership positions,
studies on participation of women in leadership positions in Ethiopia show there is a high
rate of drop out of women from leadership positions for various reasons. Prioritisation of
gender issues in democratic governance related institutions (such as the Ethiopian Human
Rights Commission, Ethiopian Institute of Ombudsman, National Electoral Board, Federal
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission & Ministry of Peace) is low. Social norms are not
favourable for women to assume leadership positions and women elected to political office
encounter various challenges. For example, meetings are set after working hours and on
weekends, which creates challenges with the burden of unpaid care work responsibilities
that most women shoulder. People in general, and male colleagues in particular, prefer male
leadership due to prevailing norms and challenge their authority and influence. Limited
exposure and networking opportunities are further challenges for women in leadership
positions.
CSSP2 aims to support projects to improve women’s political participation that work in
complimentary way with other ongoing initiatives. CSSP2 aims to support projects that work
with women rights organisations supporting women’s political participation from bottom up.
Projects supported by CSSP2 are expected to contribute to at least three of the following
result areas:
 Improved capacity of women rights organisations to advocate for women rights in

the upcoming national election: support to umbrella WROs to mobilise their members
and identify through a consultative process priorities on women’s rights issues to
1
A research institution can apply if it meets eligibility criteria of the call. Please refer to the eligibility
criteria indicated in this guideline.
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advocate for in the forthcoming election; support to WROs to hold public dialogues and
debates with political parties on identified women’s rights priorities; organise public
sensitisation events and rallies on identified women’s rights priority areas
 Improved capacity of women leaders to advocate on women’s rights issues at
regional, zonal and woreda levels: organising capacity building trainings and
opportunities for women in regional councils (including women and children standing
committees; women’s caucus) on women’s rights, transformative leadership and other
identified capacity needs; organising capacity building trainings and opportunities for
women in executive organs at sub-national levels, on women’s rights, transformative
leadership and other identified capacity building needs; organising regular networking
platforms between women rights organisations and women leaders
 Improved capacity of women on leadership skills in women rights organisations
and grassroots associations: capacity building trainings on transformative leadership,
policy engagement, communication skills and other identified needs
 Social behavioural change communication to change social norms and
stereotypes related to women’s participation in political leadership: innovative
education programmes to address social norms; introducing/profiling women leaders as
role models; holding public dialogues and debates on women’s role in leadership.
3.2 Young people

Young people are among the largest demographic group in Ethiopia. They are currently
disenfranchised and affected by joblessness. They are also a strong force in the ongoing
social and political change process; and are involved in most of the ongoing internal
conflicts. CSSP2 aims to support projects that enable young people to constructively engage
them in the ongoing democratisation process; contribute to conflict prevention and peace
building; and address some of the major economic and social challenges facing young
people in the country.
Among other approaches the grant applicants are expected to employ the below:
 Creating innovative and contextually relevant platforms or avenues for young people
and their organisations to effectively engage with government, communities as well
as within themselves (i.e. within young people).
 Research and evidence for policy improvement/development, support decisions and
policy implementation.
 Innovative pilot projects with high potential to scale.
on:
3.2.1 Substance abuse
In Ethiopia, substance abuse has a highly detrimental effect on the productive labour force;
and on future generations. Particularly, youth who lack job opportunities are particularly
vulnerable to substance abuse, leading to negative influences in their community, juvenile
mental health problem and increased GBV. Young children are also increasingly engaging in
Khat value chain at the cost of their education and future lives. Through various actors and
actions including CSSP1, government has realised the need for and has started to draft
legislation on khat along with tobacco and alcohol. However, whilst the tobacco and alcohol
proclamations were approved by Parliament very recently, the draft proclamation on khat
control ('የጫት ቁጥጥር ረቂቅ አዋጅ') has not been approved because of various reasons.
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Now, CSSP aims to support actions that combine:
 Raising critical awareness and reflective understanding on substance abuse (khat,
shisha, heroin, cocaine) among decision makers and the wider public.
 Advocacy for services for addicts to aid recovery.
 The finalisation of the draft law on khat and approval including support to the
engagement of regions in the process of approval and adoption of the
proclamation.
 Pilot/support innovative business start-ups for job creation with a potential to scale.
Broad areas of change to which your intervention is expected to contribute to:

 Increased government and community engagement to respond to issues of
substance abuse among the youth and society.
 Introduction of regulatory mechanisms to reduce the adverse impacts of substance
abuse on children, youth and the society at large.
 Improved availability of services and support to citizens suffering from or
recovering from chat addition.
 Identified and supported promising start-ups businesses with high potential for jobs
creation and poverty impact.
3.2.2 Decent work
The emerging industries in Ethiopia are generating a new dynamism in development through
attracting foreign direct investment and creating jobs. If well governed, the industry will pave
the way for the country’s industrialisation and contribute to achieving pro-poor development
goals.
However, the industry faces challenges related to industrial relations, working conditions and
productivity that require action to improve governance and develop effective frameworks and
practice in accordance international labour standards and national labour proclamation.
Decent work2 has become a universal objective and has been included in major human
rights declarations including in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Although Ethiopia has labor proclamation (2003) and policies to ensure decent work,
enforcement remains a challenge and ensuring decent work among workers is at stake.
Since most of the workers in industrial parks and in private sectors are young people,
promotion of decent work has paramount importance for their career development, work
place safety and for improved productivity. Most workers do not get fair income to survive,
and often operate in unsafe and insecure workplaces and conditions. This is worse for
women as compared to men. They do not have social protection scheme (particularly in the
private and informal sector) and there is limited enabling environment to organise
themselves, dialogue with responsible institutions and voice for their rights.
In the face of promoting broad-based industrialisation in the country, the issue of decent
work is becoming a growing concern in Ethiopia.
Thus, CSSP aims to support actions that facilitate evidence-based discussion and dialogue
among key stakeholders for enforcement of labor laws and conventions that will contribute to
2
According to ILO, decent work involves employment creation that delivers a fair income, ensures rights at work (safety and security in
work place), social protection and social dialogue that provide freedom for people to express their concerns, organise and participate in the
decisions that affect their lives.
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the attainment of the four pillars of decent work, both for men and women, particularly in
industrial parks and private sector.
 Improved labour market governance (labour law, wage policy, labour inspection,
social dialogue, collective bargaining, dispute settlement) for better wages and
working conditions, and respect of workers’ rights in various industries including
floriculture.
 Improve industrial relations, working conditions and productivity.
 Increased stakeholders’ engagement for positive and sustainable change.
3.3.3 Youth voice
This sub-theme aims to support constructive youth engagement in the current transition; and
in reform process including building peace; promoting social cohesion; and youth
participation in the decisions that affect their lives, both boys and girls. Under this sub-
theme, CSSP will support actions that combine the following issues in a coherent and
mutually reinforcing manner.
a) Create spaces for youth (both boys and girls) to express their opinions− and listen
to those of others. Innovative ways to transform the way in which youth engage
with each other and with the government and their community including in
universities. For instance;
 structured dialogue that will give young people the opportunity to interact and
debate with key decision-makers on the issues that affect them most and to
influence policy including youth development strategies;
 systematically structured youth voices, opinions and questions to decision
makers and response mechanisms, physically or virtually, by use of
technologies;
b) Use of arts and a combination of indigenous and innovative approaches that will
bring together youth and decision makers, different social groups with divergent
views, and youth and older people for discussion and dialogue to build social
cohesion, prevent conflict, increase civic engagement and prevent violence in
Ethiopia.
c) Build the social resilience of youth and their communities currently faced with
conflict, poverty and limited employment opportunities. For instance:
 actions that build hope and aspirations among the youth by helping them to
understand the opening opportunities, challenges and lived realities;
 build gendered youth leadership to voice issues of concern;
 guide youth on constructive courses of actions in their engagement with
government and communities so as to realize their own and societal
aspirations and objectives.
 Constructive youth engagement in the current reform process, decisions

affecting their lives, peace building and conflict prevention
 Youth voices heard, recognised, and youth considered as positive agents of
change by their community and government
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 Increased engagement among youth (and youth organisations) government
and community at large.
3.3 Citizen-state engagement

CSSP2’s over-arching purpose is to promote engagement within and between civil
society/CSOs, government and communities. Effective and constructive engagement by
all parties involves preconditions such as good relationships, trust, collaboration,
transparency and the capacity to deliver.
As the result of a prolonged absence of trust, and weak relationships between CSOs,
government, and citizens, there is a need to raise awareness about the legitimate roles
of each organisation/group; and the importance of engaging with each other, to build
capacity and trust, and to establish and strengthen vital relationships. The socio-political
and legal change in the country in the past few years requires more collaboration, trust,
and capacity if this window of opportunity is to be used to the benefit of poor people in
an effective and sustainable manner. The legal change happening around previously
restrictive laws, specifically concerning the change of CSOs regulations, opens new
opportunities to work in a more strategic manner to enable duty bearers to discharge
their mandated responsibilities and for rights holders to assert their rights and contribute
to their enjoyment of them.
The purpose of CSSP2’s citizen-state engagement theme is to provide support to CSOs

and government in order to build their capacities better to engage with each other and with
the communities they serve. The support will also enable CSOs to play their role as a voice
for the voiceless; and to create networks and forums which a have stronger voice, better
able to advocate for the concerns and issues that matter to poor people. This theme will help
CSOs to have effective and efficient systems; to self-regulate; and to be more transparent.
In this way, CSSP2 hopes to help trust and confidence amongst and between citizens and
their government. It will also help government to develop its capacity to work with CSOs and
other partners to discharge its responsibilities in protecting and promoting the human rights
of all but especially the hardest to reach in society, improving the services that change their
lives and to facilitate sustainable and scalable changes.
on:
3.3.1 Social minority inclusion

This sub-theme will support CSOs to better advocate for the issues and concerns of
social minority groups; to give voice to social minority groups; to promote inclusive
changes (social, political and economic); and to promote and protect the human rights
of social minority groups.
 Increased Voice: promote citizen voice on issues and concerns relating to social
minority groups and protection and promotion of their rights, the rights of girls,
women and young people in social minority groups in order to help counter the
impact of combined discrimination;
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 Enhanced policy dialogue: support actions and initiatives to generate evidence
which informs dialogue and policy change or implementation;
 Increased Capacity: support actions and initiatives that increase capacity and
visibility of local CSOs which work on issues and concerns of social minority groups;
 Improved Partnership and Engagement: support actions and initiatives that
strengthen relationship, constructive and effective engagement between CSOs,
government and citizens on issues that matter to social minority groups.
3.3.2 Stronger, better CSOs and networks/coalitions

There are assessments and studies conducted by donors and academia which
acknowledged that there has been an extreme distrust between Ethiopian government and
CSOs. The reasons for the distrust come from both sides; reasons in the CSO side include
weakness of the CSO sector in the area of accountability and transparency to the
communities they serve; weak regulation and system development; lack of funds; lack of
organisational governance; and reportedly poor networking and collaboration culture.3.
CSOs are often challenged to include all relevant stakeholders in the design,
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of their projects and other activities. Few CSOs
in Ethiopia have long-term strategic plans due to lack of a stable resource base and the
nature of the project based funding available4.
This sub-theme aspires to support CSOs and networks/coalitions of CSOs to have better
organisational capacity in order to have a more organised voice, sustained opportunities to
work collaboratively with government and citizens to address challenges in the operating
environment.
Projects supported under this sub-theme are expected to contribute to at least three of
the following four main result areas.
 Increased Capacity: support initiatives which aim to develop CSOs knowledge and
skills in identified key areas of need;
 Improved self-regulation: support initiatives which facilitate strong self-regulation
mechanism in place (including, but not limited to, establishment of CSOs council,
support for the development and implementation of a CSO code of conduct), strong
organisational/institutional capacity (financial, governance, fund management,
safeguarding, etc.).
 Enhanced partnership and collaboration: support initiatives which aims to
increase partnership and collaboration among CSOs, CSO and networks/coalitions,
networks/coalitions with other networks/coalitions. These include supports to CSOs
to become stronger, more professional, accountable and active organisations,
including through the development of networks and coalitions. Support for better,
more collaborative relationships between CSOs (and their representative networks
and Coalitions) and, government and citizens.
 Enhanced engagement platforms: support initiatives to facilitate culture of
constructive, evidence based dialogue between CSOs, government and citizens on
issues that matter to poor people.
3
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2014). Civic Engagement for Effective Service Delivery
in Ethiopia: Tools, Opportunities and Challenges. (Working Paper No. 2)
4
The 2015 CSO Sustainability Index for Sub-Saharan Africa. USAID, 2015
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3.3.3 Trust and confidence
Ethiopia has been recorded as one of the four least successful environments for CSOs,
especially in the area of governance, legal framework and relationships between civil society
and government5. The change in CSO law is a fundamental development which can serve
as foundation to address the other challenges recorded as limitations.
The aim of this sub-theme is to support both government and CSOs - acting alone or in
networks or coalitions - to promote trust and confidence between themselves and the
constituencies which they seek to serve and represent, in order to establish sustainable
foundations for relationship building and future effective engagement.
 Increased understanding: support initiatives that promote a wider understanding of

the new CSO law, and revised regulations and rules throughout the country;
 Enhanced adaptation of new CSO law by regional states: support initiatives
which facilitate adaptation of the new CSO law by regional states;
 Enhanced engagement platforms and spaces: help to foster a culture of
collaboration through the provision of support for Agency for Civil Society
Organisations (ACSO) and selected government sector offices in order to facilitate
constructive engagement between them and CSOs;
 Improved implementation of the new CSO law: support the full implementation of
the new CSO law through the revision/development of regulations and rules
designed to give effect to the new CSO law;
 Increased Evidence and learning: support initiatives which generate evidence and
shares learning, the evidence and learnings to be used for positive influence and
change in the relationships between CSOs, government and citizens.
4 Indicative grant size 6

In order to foster support and learning among CSOs, CSSP2 invites interested applicants
to apply in coalition7. The number of coalition members should be a minimum of three (one
lead and two sub recipients) and a maximum six CSOs (one lead and five sub recipients).
The allocated grant size (budget ceiling) per coalition is ranging from £105,000 to £ 360,000.
As the numbers of coalition members vary from three to six, applicants should propose a
budget which is proportional to the number of members within a coalition. For this, average
budget ceiling per member organisation is ranging from £35,000 to £60,000.
However, depending on the grant management experience and capacity of coalition

members, funding requests below the aforementioned range will also be accepted. CSSP2
will take into account of recent audit reports and due diligence assessments when reviewing
the applicant’s proposed budget. Thus, CSSP2 advises each applicant to propose a
reasonable budget on the basis of grant management experience and capacity.
5
CIVICUS (World Alliance for Citizen Participation). (2013). Enabling Environment Index (EEI). Final report.
7
A collection of different eligible organisations who will implement one project in a group
www.cssp-et.org
12
5 Project duration
 Up to 18 months until April 2021
6. Orientation session
CSSP2 will organise grant orientations in different parts of the country to brief about
CSSP2’s eligibility criteria, strategic themes, priorities, requirements etc. This will help
interested and eligible applicants to prepare a standard concept note.
Orientations will be undertaken in following cities and venue at the specified time. CSSP2
will use a uniform PowerPoint presentation in all locations, and interested participants can
attend the orientation in any one of the nearby location. Potential applicants are advised to
attend the orientation session once at any one of the locations as all sessions will deliver the
same content. The orientation will take a maximum of half-day.
As electricity and other factors may affect the PowerPoint presentation, we advise
participants to attend with hard-copies of the strategic grant application guideline and the
concept note template by downloading it from British Council/CSSP2’s website.
CSSP2 will cover expenses related with hall rent, and refreshment. CSSP2 will not cover or
reimburse for expenses that participants incur to attend the orientation workshop.
S/N City Date of Orientation Time of orientation Venue

1 Addis Ababa 16th & 17th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Capital Hotel
2 Mekelle 18th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Axum Hotel
3 Shashemene 17th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Haile Hotel
4 Dire Dawa 16th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Ras Hotel
5 Bahir Dar 18th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Semerland Hotel
6 Semera 18th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Dini Hotel
7 Assosa 18th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Blendana Hotel
8 Jimma 17th July 2019 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Central Jimma
Hotel
9 Gambella To be confirmed To be confirmed To be confirmed
7. Geographic coverage
CSSP2 would like to receive grant applications that are intended to be implemented in one
or more than one regions or city administrations of the country. The regions and city
administrations to be covered under this call are Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Tigray, Afar,
Amhara, Oromia, Somalia, Gambella, Benshangul Gumz, Southern Nations and
Nationalities, and Harari. Applications for more than one region are encouraged as this
facilitates cross learning.
www.cssp-et.org
13
8. Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet all the following eligibility criteria. In order to be eligible for a grant, the
lead and co-applicants must:
1) be a local civil society organisation8 , and

2) have a renewed registration licence given by Agency for Civil Societies
Organisation (ACSO), and
3) be non-profit-making, and
4) be directly responsible for the preparation, management, and implementation of
the project, not acting as an intermediary, and
5) have functional financial management systems (to be checked using audit reports
and due diligence9 assessment), and
6) have at least one year of experience of implementing a project in the thematic area
on which the applicant is submitting the application, and
7) have proven track record10 of managing a grant ,which has a proportional budget
size with the amount that the applicant is proposing, and
8) Willing to develop and submit safeguarding policy of the lead and co-applicants.
Submission of safeguarding policy is not required at concept note stage but will be
required at full proposal submission stage
9. Rules of the call

1) Organisations which meet all the eligibility criteria can apply.
2) In order to help CSOs to support each other, and to facilitate constructive citizen-
state engagement, interested and eligible organisations should apply in coalition. A
coalition should be formed by three to six CSOs with one Lead applicant from the
coalition.
3) Successful lead applicants will be responsible for the overall management,
leadership, facilitation and coordination of their grant; and, it will also be responsible
for providing capacity development support to its co-applicants; and, CSSP2 will
have contractual obligation with the lead applicants; subsequently, each lead
applicant will have contractual obligation with their respective co-applicants.
4) Each applicant has to select and prepare the application on any one of the CSSP2
strategic themes. Having one thematic focus, applicants can integrate other themes
as well.
5) Each applicant should submit a full set of the application pack in soft and three
hard copies. The pack should include all the below.
a. Renewed registration licence of the lead and co-applicants; and
b. Completed concept note; and
8
Local Organisation means a civil society organisation formed under the laws of Ethiopia by Ethiopians,
foreigners resident in Ethiopia or both, and its Head Office is located in Ethiopia; Civil Society Organisation
means a Non-Governmental, Non-partisan, Not for profit entity established at least by two or more persons on a
voluntary basis and registered to carry out any lawful purpose, and includes Non-Government Organisations,
Professional Associations, Mass based Societies, and Consortiums
9
CSSP2 will do due diligence assessment on applicants who are successful at the concept note stage. The
assessment will be done at the Offices of applicants.
10
Applicant’s track record of grant management will be verified through the recommendation letter or the audit
reports and due diligence assessments. Applicants who have or had grants with CSSP, CSSP2 will evaluate
track record of applicants through the CSSP grant.
www.cssp-et.org
14
c. Signed and stamped declaration form by the lead CSO and each co-
applicant; and
d. 11Recommendation letter about past performance and experience of the
applicant ; and
e. Three latest audit reports of the lead and co-applicants (for fiscal years
of 2016, 2017, and 2018)
6) The application process will have two stages; concept note and full proposal
application stages.
7) CSSP2 applies a co-creation approach during the full proposal write up stage. Only
successful applicants (at the concept note stage) will be invited and involved in the
co-creation process for the preparation of their full proposal. Participation of
applicants in the co- creation process is not a guarantee to secure funds from
CSSP2.
8) An organisation is required to submit one application at a time as lead or co-
applicant. If an applicant submits two or more applications as a lead or/and co-
applicant at a time, the applications will be rejected.
9) Any application received after the deadline, or incomplete submission of required
documents will result in rejection of the application.
10) Lead and co-applicants should develop and submit 12safeguarding policy along with
full proposal if they pass the concept note assessment.
11) Applicants will not be reimbursed for the costs they incurred in the preparation and
submission of a concept note or proposal. All preparation and submission costs are
at the applicant’s expense.
12) CSSP2 can reject an application at the concept note or full proposal write up stage
if; a) an application fails to meet CSSP2’s expected quality standards or
requirements; or b) the due diligence assessment shows a major finding; or c)
CSSP2 faces an unanticipated cause.
13) CSSP2 reserves the right to enter into discussions and negotiations with any
applicant about the content, structure or budget of proposed project after the
concept note stage; and, CSSP2 reserves the right to fund any or none of the grant
applications received.
14) CSSP2 will undertake due diligence assessment at the Offices of each coalition
member if their application is successful or selected at the concept note stage.
Applications can be rejected if the due diligence assessment results in a major
finding.
15) The concepts and contents outlined in the concept note may not be modified at the
full proposal development stage.
16) Any error or major discrepancy related to the concept note instructions may lead to
the rejection of the concept note.
17) Purchase of land, vehicle and major capital assets will not be supported as the
primary focus of the proposed project
18) Hand-written concept notes will not be accepted; Concept note should be typed and
written in English language
19) Any form of plagiarism in the preparation of concept notes will result in rejection of
the application.
11
Recommendation letter should be written by any donor who funded to the applicant. The letter should include at least the
following information ; Title of the project, sector ,fund size manged, project duration(from/to), project location, and applicant’s
performance
12
Safeguarding is about protecting children and adults from harm within CSSP2 programme and activities. These include the
prevention of exploitation and abuse as well as harm caused by failure to take reasonable care. Generally, safeguarding is
making the organisation safe for beneficiaries; protecting beneficiaries from any forms of abuse, exploitation, and harm as a
result of individuals, own staff behaviours and/or programme activities. Target groups for safeguarding are children, youth,
adults (adults at risk), staff and representatives.
www.cssp-et.org
15
20) Applicants who will be successful at the concept note stage will be invited to prepare
and submit a detailed budget breakdown that comprises of a summary budget of the
lead and co-applicants; and also, a separate detailed budget shares of lead and
each co-applicant. The budget should be presented in Ethiopian Birr (ETB).
21) CSSP2 requires each applicant to propose a reasonable budget in relation to the
applicant’s grant management experience and capacity. CSSP2 will check grant
management experience and capacity using audit reports and due diligence
assessment.
22) CSSP2’s Grant Contract template is posted on British Council/CSSP2’s website
along with other attachments for applicants to read it ahead so as to avoid lengthy
negotiations with finalists in the Grant Contract signing.
23) Each finalist lead applicant should sign a Grant Contract with CSSP2, and then with
its co-applicants. Subsequently, the lead applicant is expected to submit a
completed cash request and bank detail forms within three days from the date of
Grant Contract signing. Grant contract signing and first disbursement is expected to
be made in October 2019
10. Allowable and unallowable costs

Budget costs should be necessary, reasonable and essential to the administration and
operation of a project, are considered as allowable for funding.
CSSP2 grants are designed to provide for the allowable costs of operating.
Allowable costs:
 Programme activity costs
 Consultancy costs
 Transportation costs
 Space: Rental costs for office etc. However rental costs for property owned by the
grantee may not be charged.
 Conferences and workshop costs. Including costs for conference/meeting
arrangements, rent of conference rooms, and travel expenses
 Staff salary and benefits
 Printing, duplication, and publication
 Equipment rental
 Audit fees
 Office and programme supplies
 Security
 Project-related telephone and postage expenses
 etc.
Unallowable costs:
 Purchase of land
 Purchase of car/vehicles
 Major capital expenditures will not be supported as the primary focus of the proposed
initiative
 Compensation of government employees
 Gifts
 Bonus or commission payments
 Military-type equipment
 Corporate formation
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16
 Fines and penalties
 Funds for activities that add no value to the CSSP2 purpose
 Alcoholic beverages, and drugs
 Costs incurred outside of the project period
 Payments for activities of exclusively have religious or political mission
 Statutory fines, criminal fines or penalties
 Payments for works or activities that are fully funded by other sources
 Payments for unfair dismissal or other compensation
 Contingency/ unforeseen costs which was not planned originally
 Depreciation is an accruals accounting concept and should not be included
 Debt repayment, bad debts to related parties, or interest payments or service charge
payments for a finance lease
 etc.
11. Application procedure

A full set of application pack should be submitted in soft and hard copies. Soft copies of the
application pack should be submitted to CSSP2 via Grantapplication@cssp2-et.org by
indicating CSSP2 strategic grant Application on the subject line of the email. If the size of
attachments is larger than the allowable limit, the applicant has to send the attachments in
two rounds; however, the subject line of the second email should denote CSSP2 strategic
grant Application R2. In addition to the soft copies, applicants should deliver the application
pack (in three copies) to any of the following nearby CSSP2 Offices through a sealed
envelope. Or, hard copies can be sent to the CSSP2 Addis Ababa Office by DHL. The
CSSP2 Office is located in Bole Sub-city, Africa Avenue Street, infront of Millinium Hall, near
to Bole Mini, 6th floor of SEVITA Building, Addis Ababa; Tel +251-116-153-411(Ext.127/167)
s/n Office Physical location
1 CSSP2 Addis Ababa Office Africa Avenue Street, infront of Millinium Hall, near to
Bole Mini, on the 6th floor of SEVITA Building
2 CSSP2 Hawasa Office Menahria Sub city, Guwi Kebelle around Gaete Hotel
besides the new stadium
3 CSSP2 Dessie Office Dessie, Menafesha area, Subcity, Kebele 08
Around Abebech Wollo Sefer; House Number 772
4 CSSP2 Dire Dawa Office Number one, around Green hotel
5 CSSP2 Assosa Office In front of Yetebaberu fuel station next to Millennium
Medical College on 1st the floor of Benishangul
Gumuz Development ion Association Network
(BGDAN) building
For any enquiry, please send your request through information@cssp2-et.org; or Call to:
 +251-116-153-411 (Ext.127/167), Addis Ababa

 +251-462-126-262, Hawasa
 +251-333-126-461, Dessie
 +251-252-114-634, Dire Dawa
 +251-572-755-922, Assosa
www.cssp-et.org
17
12. Application deadline
Any interested and eligible applicants can submit applications from the date of
announcement until August 05, 2019. Any application received after the deadline will not be
considered. Thus, applicants are strongly advised to submit applications prior to the deadline
as heavy internet traffic or failure of internet connection (including electricity failure, etc.)
may lead to difficulties in submission.
13. Assessment of applications

.
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by an assessment panel composed of people
with relevant experience on each of the themes. CSSP2 will give a chance to each applicant
to select and apply in any one of the strategic themes. Each application will be categorised
into three based on strategic themes; and, applications received under the same strategic
theme will compete with each other.
Assessment s scores will be computed out of 100% and applicants with the highest score
will be selected for the next stage. Finally, the average score of assessors will be taken to
select successful applicants under each strategic theme.
If the assessment score of two or more applications is the same, priority will be given to the
application(s) intended to be implemented in the emerging regions such as Gambella,
Benshangul Gumz, Somali and Afar.
The evaluation will be made using the pre-defined criteria, given a score that ranges from 1
to 5 as follows: 1 = poor; 2= adequate; 3 = good; 4 = very good, 5=excellent
www.cssp-et.org
18
Indicative evaluation criteria of concept notes/
1. Essential requirements Respon

se
Have the applicant submitted a valid registration licence? Yes/No If the response is NO,
the application will be
rejected
Have the applicant submitted three latest audit reports with management Yes/No If the response is NO,
letters for the fiscal years of 2016, 2017 and 2018? The audit reports are the application will be
required for both lead and co-applicant/s. rejected
2. Relevance and design of the proposed project Weight Score
Have the application clearly justified the necessity of the proposed 5

project? Have the applicant clearly showed the magnitude of the
problem? Have the applicant used qualitative and/or quantitative
data/evidences to justify the intensity of the problem and for the need of
an intervention?
Contribution/relevance/linkage of the proposed project to the CSSP2’s 5
expected results or strategic theme/s or priorities
Have results framework been logically and coherently presented? Have 5
been key activities, outputs, outcomes and objective(s) clearly explained?
To what degree activities, outputs, outcomes and objective are realistic
and logically linked to achieve the proposed change?
Have direct and indirect beneficiaries been clearly defined and 5
disaggregated by gender? How well their needs and constraints
described and differentiated by gender? How the proposed project is
good enough to address the identified needs of the beneficiaries?
Have the application integrated cross-cutting issues such as gender, 5
needs of disabled people, rights of minorities and/or rights of hard to
reach community?
Relevance and appropriateness of proposed risk management 5
mechanisms to manage the identified risks
Have the applicant proposed feasible, soundness and innovativeness of 5
the proposed engagement methodology(ies) and its relevance for the
proper implementation and/or revision of government laws, policies,
regulations and strategies in relation to the relevant CSSP2’s strategic
theme/s
Have the design reflected a robust analysis on the coherence, integration 5
and coordination mechanisms?
o among the coalition members(applicants of this grant), and
o with government stakeholders , and/or
o with similar initiatives (e.g EU CSF 3 , ESAP3 etc)
Track record and past performance( to be proved through 5
recommendation letter, audit reports and explanations given in the
concept note);
Have the applicant proposed a reasonable grant amount as compared to 5
the applicant’s grant management experience? Does the applicant
propose a reasonable administrative budget as compared to the
programme budget?
50 %
Total
Note: Each sub score will be multiplied by two to sum-up to 100 %
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19
14. Selection process
After the concept note assessment, a table will be drawn up listing the applications ranking
sequentially based on the assessment scores. Applications with the highest score will be
provisionally selected. In addition, a reserve list will be drawn up to be used if the pre-
selected applicants failed at the full proposal application stage or if the due diligence
assessment result shows a major finding or if more funds become available during the
validity period of the reserve list.
CSSP2 will write an e-mail to each applicant to notify the assessment result of their
application.
The pre-selected lead applicants will be invited to participate in a co-creation process in

order to develop and submit a full grant proposal.
15. Full grant application

Applicants who passed the concept note evaluation and the due diligence assessment will
be requested to involve in a co-creation process to prepare their full proposal/application. In
the full proposal application, applicants must submit technical proposal, detailed grant
budget, Activity plan, M&E plan, and safeguarding policy (for lead and its co-applicants).
The full applications will further be evaluated including applicants’ detailed budgets; and,
their grant and financial management capacity will be assessed through due diligence
assessment (physical examination at the Offices of each applicant). Applications will be
evaluated using the evaluation criteria to be disclosed after the selection of concept notes.
16. Grant approval

Lead applicants will be informed in writing of the CSSP2’s decision concerning their
application.
17. Appeal mechanism

Any applicant who may have dissatisfaction in the selection process can submit its appeal to
the CSSP2 through appeal@cssp2-et.org
18. Annexes
Annex 1: Strategic Grant-Concept Note Application Template
Annex 2: Declaration Form
Annex 3: Teaming Agreement Template
Annex 4: Grant Contract Template
www.cssp-et.org
20

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Guideline For Strategic Grant Call For Concept Note 15719

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Call for Concept Note:

Strategic Grant Application

In order to apply for this grant, you have to:

1) read through this document carefully

Since CSSP2 is adopting an adaptive programming approach, the programme is suited to

This guideline is a primary source document in the management of strategic grant

The purpose of strategic grants is to support CSOs to implement projects in pre-identified

CSSP2 Strategic Themes

Gender Young Citizen-state

Gender based Substance Social

Land rights Decent work Stronger,

3.1 Gender transformation

 Institutional capacity building of WROs

3.1.2 Women’s land rights

Access and control of land is a strategic pathway to women’s economic empowerment in

• Improved legal frameworks on women’s land rights and protection and

3.1.3 Women’s political participation

 Improved capacity of women rights organisations to advocate for women rights in

3.2 Young people

3.2.1 Substance abuse

Broad areas of change to which your intervention is expected to contribute to:

3.2.2 Decent work

Broad areas of change to which your intervention is expected to contribute to:

3.3.3 Youth voice

Broad areas of change to which your intervention is expected to contribute to:

 Constructive youth engagement in the current reform process, decisions

3.3 Citizen-state engagement

The purpose of CSSP2’s citizen-state engagement theme is to provide support to CSOs

3.3.1 Social minority inclusion

3.3.2 Stronger, better CSOs and networks/coalitions

 Increased understanding: support initiatives that promote a wider understanding of

4 Indicative grant size 6

However, depending on the grant management experience and capacity of coalition

S/N City Date of Orientation Time of orientation Venue

1) be a local civil society organisation8 , and

9. Rules of the call

10. Allowable and unallowable costs

11. Application procedure

s/n Office Physical location

 +251-116-153-411 (Ext.127/167), Addis Ababa

13. Assessment of applications

1. Essential requirements Respon

2. Relevance and design of the proposed project Weight Score

Have the application clearly justified the necessity of the proposed 5

Note: Each sub score will be multiplied by two to sum-up to 100 %

The pre-selected lead applicants will be invited to participate in a co-creation process in

15. Full grant application

16. Grant approval

17. Appeal mechanism

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