Call for Concept Notes to Support Civic Engagement around Community Cohesion, Inclusive Development, and Responsive Local Governance in Borama District
About CEF
The Civic Engagement Facility (CEF), supported by Denmark, aims to expand civic space and strengthen collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector around Somali people's priority issues. It provides catalytic funding to strengthen civil society networks, support innovative channels for civic engagement , and foster more inclusive citizen-government dialogue to drive collective action towards a people-centered governance agenda.
What We Want to Support
Initiatives that:
Revitalize Borama’s culture of civic initiative and collective action, enabling communities to lead on their local governance and development priorities.
Strengthen local systems of cooperation, where civic actors, traditional institutions, private sector stakeholders, and local authorities work together through inclusive dialogue and joint problem-solving.
Reinforce Borama’s tradition of collective responsibility, building on practices that have historically worked like local dialogue, social solidarity, and community cooperation, while adapting them to today’s realities.
Enable collective action that builds trust, strengthens local governance, and enhances community resilience in the face of social, economic, and environmental change.
Support CBOs, CSOs, and informal civic networks as key actors in sustaining civic participation, cooperation, and local leadership.
Encourage locally defined priorities and context-driven approaches that reflect Borama’s evolving dynamics and promote inclusive governance, social cohesion, and adaptive local development. Lot 1: National Dialogue and Policy Research
Applicants Are Encouraged To:
Identify locally relevant priorities and propose practical, community-centred initiatives that respond to Borama’s context and strengthen collaboration between communities, civic actors, local authorities, customary institutions, and the private sector.
The overall objectives of work under this opportunity are to:
Facilitate inclusive and collaborative dialogue among civic groups, elders, women, youth, customary institutions, private sector actors, informal networks, and local authorities to build trust, improve coordination, and support joint action on shared priorities.
Increase community participation in local governance and development by involving communities in identifying priorities, planning initiatives, and contributing to implementation through in-kind or cash support.
Strengthen coordination and transparency between local authorities, civic actors, private sector stakeholders, and communities to improve responsiveness, service delivery, and development planning.
Advance the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in decision-making and development processes so diverse community voices shape outcomes.
Support joint responses to shared local challenges, including conflict prevention, natural resource management, and service gaps, through collaborative and context-sensitive approaches.
Promote shared learning and practical knowledge exchange among local actors to improve collective problem-solving, adaptive governance, and resilience across Borama District and neighbouring areas.
The Process
The selected applicant or consortium will be invited to develop their full proposals followed by a co-design process. During this phase, they will work closely with the CEF team to refine and align their proposal. The co-design process will help finalize methodologies, timelines, budgets, deliverables, and performance indicators, ensuring that interventions are locally grounded, inclusive, and results-oriented, with communities actively contributing through in-kind and financial support.
Who Can Apply
Open to registered Somali Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in Borama District. CEF encourages innovative partnerships with locally rooted organizations to ensure effective implementation and local ownership.
Applicants must show proven experience in community dialogue, inclusive participation, or supporting local governance and development initiatives in Borama.
Organizations should be able to work collaboratively with civic actors, private sector representatives, customary institutions, and local authorities to advance shared community and district priorities. Partnerships between organizations or networks are encouraged where they strengthen coordination, inclusion, and collective action.
Only registered organizations are eligible to receive direct funding, but informal civic networks and community groups are encouraged to participate through partnerships with eligible entities.
CEF welcomes proposals that build on Borama’s strong culture of civic action, demonstrating collective initiative, inclusive and context-driven approaches, and contributing to dialogue, cooperation, and responsive local development.
This call is limited to Borama District. Proposals for other districts or regions will not be considered.
While CEF encourages broad participation, this call is limited to Borama District (Awdal Region) . Proposals focusing on other districts or regions will not be considered.
Minimum Requirements
Register as a legal entity.
Authorized to operate in Borama District (Awdal Region).
Tax compliant.
Applicant and partners not listed on UN/EU sanctions lists.
How to Apply
Submit a Concept Note (max 8 PowerPoint slides -see template below)
Key Dates
Virtual pre-bid session: 8 December, 2025 at 14:00 EAT
Join the call now
Submit clarification questions by: 10 December, 2025
Clarification questions should be submitted only through the form on the CEF Website. No phone or in-person inquiries will be accepted. Responses to clarification questions will be posted here on 11th December, 2025.
Concept Note submission deadline: 22 December, 2025 at 14:00 EAT
Once you click the below link to submit register to our grants application systems, please look for Call for Concept Notes to Support Civic Engagement around Community Cohesion, Inclusive Development, and Responsive Local Governance in Borama District