Request for full proposals
STAR-Ghana's local governance call aims to strengthen, scale up and consolidate the results of previous and on-going local governance focused initiatives particularly in the areas of inclusive voice, improved access and transparency in service delivery.
The call is open for applications until 2nd March 2018.
Open to:
Community-based organisations (CBOs), district-level civil society organisations, community-based radio stations and other citizen groups.
Expected outputs
- Spaces for collaboration between civil society (including private sector associations and media) and state actors on service delivery at local level strengthened.
- Horizontal and vertical linkages amongst CSOs to address systemic local governance, public participation and inclusion challenges strengthened.
- Inclusive voice and participation in local governance.
- Mechanisms for increased transparency and responsiveness in local governance enhanced.
- Issue-based and inclusive DA elections, including the election of women, PWDs and youth promoted.
- Citizen participation in the processes around the creation of new districts and regions, election of MMDCEs and creation of new districts enhanced.
Focus areas
The call will focus on unfinished business in local governance in the following areas:
- Promoting basic service delivery and development management at local level.
- Innovative technologies and media for promoting citizens participation, accountability and public access to information in local governance.
- Gender inclusion, disability and diversity in local governance.
- Poverty reduction, local economic development, resource mobilisation and budgetary utilisation at the local level.
- Implementing the new Act 936, party political elections of MMDCEs and voter education and sensitisation towards Referendum.
Call component and duration
The local partnership component will support local actions at the district and local levels, enabling citizens address locally salient service delivery issues. It will particularly focus on processes of social inclusion and vulnerable groups’ interaction with the local governance mechanism. Projects shall have a maximum duration of 12 months and grant fund support not exceeding GHC 250,000.
Eligibility criteria for the CSO or the Coalition/Network/Alliance
- CSO, Coalition, networks and platforms who have implemented project around local governance or decentralisation within the past year or two years and are considering further up scaling of the project.
- The Grants is not applicable to CSOs or Coalitions wishing to commence entirely new project.
- Should be able to state clearly the results and outcomes that will be achieved from the project.
- Must demonstrate a track record in working with and delivering results around governance focused initiatives.
- Should have linkages with other Civil Society Organisations at district and local levels to leverage additional capacities.
- Be known by community leaders in the communities where they seek to operate their project.
- Should be able to submit references from the District Assembly, Traditional Council or a funding organisation/agency.
- Should provide 2016 audited accounts – for organisations which have been in existence for 3 years and above; and the latest financial statement – for organisations which have been in existence for below 3 years.
Grant partners implementing STAR Ghana funded Project as lead organisations are not eligible to apply. GESI small partners are in principle not barred from applying for the grant. However, STAR-Ghana will not award a fresh grant to an organisation which is either holding a grant or whose project has ended but has not completed the project/grant closure activities and signed off by STAR-Ghana. So those who are not sure that they would have completed their project closure activities by May 2018 need not apply.
How to apply
Download an application pack (application form; risk management template; budget & project performance template) for the local governance – local partnerships component
The application pack (application form; risk management template; budget & project performance template) should be completed and submitted in by email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Deadline for submission of competed application pack is 2nd March 2018.
Shortlisted applications will be notified within two weeks after close of application.
For enquiries, please email us at the following address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (0302) 774488/7012404 between 9am and 5pm on week days.
Find out more
Full call advert featuring background information