Call for proposals: Dissemination grant to Local Government Associations

Objectives

International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD) invites organisations that convene, train and  support local governments to apply for a Dissemination Grant.

The purpose of the grant is to support Associations of Local Governments (or other organisations that have participated in ICLD’s Training of Trainers on Democratic Governance Tools) in delivering their own training initiatives. The grant supports the transfer of knowledge and tools from these organisations to municipalities, with the clear expectation that participating local governments will apply the selected democratic governance tools in practice.  

Scope of the Call

The grant must be used to plan, organise and implement a training targeting local government representatives. The training shall build on one or more of the democratic governance tools introduced during ICLD’s Training of Trainers programme.

The grant regards the implementation of a defined dissemination activity within the framework of ICLD’s Alumni programme. The applying organisation is fully responsible for planning, logistics, financial administration and implementation of the training, and must adhere to core ICLD principes and code of conduct. The applicant organisation may not further sub-grant or transfer the funds to other organisations.

The proposed dissemination activity should:

• Target elected officials and/or public officials at the local level
• Apply one or more democratic governance tools from ICLDs Knowledge Bank.
• Enable participating municipalities to apply the selected tool(s) in their own policies, processes or structures.
• Adhere to ICLD Code of Conduct.

Applicants are free to select which ICLD tool(s) to use. The tool(s) must be clearly integrated into the training design in a way that resonates with the local context.

Funded initiative will collaborate with ICLD’s Regional Alumni Coordinators. The Coordinator must be consulted during planning and invited to participate in the main training activities.

Deliverables

1. A final report summarising the process, training, partaking local governments and their respective results, and a reflection on lessons learned.
2. A financial report with all costs and expenses in comparison to the approved budget.

All activities must be completed, and the final narrative and financial report submitted, no later than 31 August 2026. Completion and approved reporting by this date is a condition for receiving the full grant sum.

Budget and financial conditions

• Applicants may apply for up to SEK 150,000 incl VAT.
• Up to 75% of the grant may be disbursed in advance. The remaining 25% will be paid upon completion of activities, submission and approval of final narrative and financial report and the final invoice

Applying organisations must be registered entities with the capacity to send invoices for consultancy activities. Sound and transparent financial management of the organisation is a requirement. The organisation must be equipped to conduct all activities before the second half of the grant is paid.

Eligible costs are personnel time, conference costs such as venue, printing and meals, and travel and accommodation for participants.

All costs must be reported in comparison to the approved budget. A detailed financial report must be submitted together with the final invoice at the end of August. The organisation must retain financial documentation supporting all reported costs (such as invoices, receipts and contracts). ICLD reserves the right to request supporting documentation and to review the use of funds if necessary.

The applicant organisation must ensure that the grant is used solely for the purposes described in the approved proposal and budget. Any form of corruption, fraud, bribery or misuse of funds is strictly prohibited. The organisation must have procedures in place to prevent and address financial irregularities.

Eligible applicants

This call is open to organisations that:

• Train, support, represent or convene local governments (e.g. local government associations, training institutes, umbrella organisations or similar actors working with municipalities).
• Priority is given to Local Government Associations. Other organizations that participate in ICLD’s Training of Trainers on Democratic Governance Tools during March and April 2026 may also apply.

The applying organisation must:

• Be a legally registered entity with the capacity to issue invoices for consultancy or training services;
• Have sound and transparent financial management systems;
• Have the organisational and financial capacity to plan, implement and complete all proposed activities before the second half of the grant is disbursed;
• Have an established role or mandate in capacity development for local governments;

Individual applications will not be considered. Only one application per organisation may be submitted under this call.

Eligible countries for this call includes: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

ICLD can award up to two grants within the scope of this call.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the relevance, quality and feasibility of the proposed dissemination initiative. ICLD strives for both width and depth in how many local governments are trained, and how deep the understanding for democratic tools and values are conveyed. Particular consideration will be given to the following criteria:

• Tools: Demonstrated understanding of the selected democratic governance tool(s) and how they can be practically applied by participating local governments.
• Relevance to local democracy and local governments: Responsiveness to the needs and governance context of the targeted municipalities or local governments.
• Organisational capacity and experience: The applicant organisation’s reach, and experience, mandate and capacity to train, support or convene local governments. Priority is given to Associations of Local Governments.
• Quality of the implementation plan: Clarity and specificity of the proposed activities, training design and methodology.
• Feasibility: Realistic and feasible plan for completing the activities within the short June–August 2026 implementation period.
• Cost-effectiveness and realism of the proposed budget in relation to the expected outputs and outcomes.

Application

Apply by sending a proposal of max 5 pages (excl. budget), using the structure below to clearly demonstrate your understanding of the selected tool(s), your capacity and mandate as an organisation to fulfill the objectives of this call, and how they will be achieved.  

The application should include:

1. Description of the applicant organisation and its role, mandate and capacity.
2. Description of the proposed activities to be conducted
3. Target group and expected number of local governments and participants
4. Selected ICLD tool(s) and how they will be applied
5. Description of the relevance of these tools for the target group
6. Description of the selection criteria/selection process for local governments
7. Expected outputs and outcomes.
8. Timeline (ensuring completion before 31 August)
9. Detailed budget (maximum SEK 150,000 incl VAT)

Submit your proposal in Word format to kc@icld.se no later than the 10^th of May, 2026.

Time frame

May 10^th, 2026: Call for application closes

May 25^th, 2026: Successful applicants notified and contract process initiated

June – August: implementation phase

August 31^st, 2026: Deadline for report and invoice submission.

Questions regarding this call may be addressed to the following contact persons:

Eastern Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
John Gitonga
john.gitonga@gmail.com

Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe)
Danny Chibinda
dannychibinda@gmail.com