Expression of Interest for Civil Society Organizations

Disaster Preparedness Support to Key Emergency Actors

All interested and eligible Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the Disaster Preparedness Support to Key Emergency Actors.

Through this call, selected CSOs will have the opportunity to participate in Training of Trainers (ToT), conduct cascading training activities within their communities, and compete for grants to implement disaster preparedness and anticipatory action initiatives in partnership with key local stakeholders.

Introduction: 

Disaster Preparedness Support to Key Emergency Actors the initiative aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and anticipatory action capacities across Tunisia. Funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium of humanitarian organizations, it focuses on enhancing the ability of local actors and first responders to predict, prepare for, and respond to climate-related and conflict-induced displacement, through predictive forecasting models, early warning systems, small grants for local initiatives, and a flexible crisis modifier mechanism.

Selected Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) will participate in a Training of Trainers (ToT) on disaster preparedness and anticipatory action, followed by cascading trainings to transfer knowledge and skills to local CSOs, community representatives, volunteers, and first responders. Upon successful completion, CSOs will be invited to submit detailed proposals for grants to implement disaster preparedness and anticipatory action projects for a duration of 10 months.

Projects may be implemented across Tunisia, including Greater Tunis, Sfax, Medenine, Kasserine, Gabes, Sousse, Nabeul, and Jendouba governorates."

Grants Opportunity - General Conditions:

Submission of this Expression of Interest (EOI) gives eligible Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) the opportunity to compete for grant funding under the Disaster Preparedness Support to Key Emergency Actors in North Africa project.

This Call is designed to support civil society actors working to strengthen disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, and emergency response in their communities, in close coordination with key emergency actors Selected CSOs will first participate in a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme and deliver cascading trainings to local stakeholders, volunteers, community representatives, and first responders; successful completion may lead to a grant funding opportunity to implement their proposed initiatives.

All applications submitted under this Call will undergo a two-stage review process. First, proposals will be screened for eligibility to ensure that applicants meet the required legal, administrative, and compliance conditions. Only applications that successfully pass this stage will proceed to a technical evaluation conducted by the Selection Committee, which will assess proposals against predefined and transparent criteria, including relevance, feasibility, impact, organizational capacity, and budget realism.

To be considered, applicants must submit a completed EOI form and a detailed budget clearly demonstrating how the proposed activities strengthen disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, and emergency response capacities, along with all required supporting documents.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong grasp of the local context and the challenges their proposed project intends to address, drawing on local risk analysis, consultation with emergency response actors, or practical field experience in shaping their project ideas

Indicative areas of focus may include:

• Flood and natural disaster preparedness: community-based early warning networks, evacuation route mapping, and awareness campaigns on flood, wildfire, and extreme heat risks, drawing on lessons from recent disasters such as the Derna flooding.
• Anticipatory action and forecast-based response: initiatives that link weather and climate forecasts to pre-agreed community actions, such as pre-positioning supplies or triggering early evacuation before a predicted disaster.
• Preparedness for conflict-induced displacement: support to host communities and internally displaced populations, including rapid-response planning, provision of safe routes and information, and strengthening social cohesion between displaced people and host communities.
• Protection and support for migrants and refugees: initiatives that strengthen protection for migrants and communities affected by migration, including referral to essential services, risk-awareness activities along migration routes, and coordination with relevant humanitarian actors.
• Community emergency response and first-aid capacity: training and equipping local volunteer response teams for basic search-and-rescue, first aid, and initial coordination, in partnership with civil defense and the Red Crescent.
• Contingency planning and local coordination mechanisms: supporting local actors to develop simple, actionable contingency plans and strengthen coordination with municipalities, civil defense, and humanitarian actors on floods, displacement, and population movements.
• Multi-hazard public awareness and risk communication: community outreach and simulation drills covering multiple risks (floods, conflict, displacement, migration) to promote household- and community-level preparedness.

Under this Call, four (4) CSOs will be selected to participate in the programme. Eligible organizations must be legally registered and operating within the project's target areas and demonstrate a commitment to humanitarian principles, accountability, and inclusive approaches that ensure the meaningful participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

Submitting an EOI does not automatically guarantee funding. Only applications that meet the eligibility requirements and score well during evaluation will move forward.

Selected organizations will sign a Grant Agreement and will be required to comply with reporting, financial management, and visibility requirements.

CSO Grant Track (Individual Applicants, subject to ToT and Cascading Training)"

"This granting track is open to registered Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with one (1) year or more of experience working within their communities. Organizations of varying size and capacity are encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate strong potential and commitment to creating impact in disaster preparedness and anticipatory action."

Under this track, four (4) grants will be awarded in Tunisia, each valued at 32,000.00 TND.

Project duration: 10 months

Scope:

Projects submitted under this track are designed to support focused, community-based initiatives led by a single legally registered CSO. This track aims to enable emerging organizations to implement practical, context-specific actions that strengthen disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, and emergency response at the local level, building on the knowledge and skills gained through the Training of Trainers (ToT) and cascading training activities.

Proposals should demonstrate a clear understanding of the local context and the specific disaster and displacement risks the initiative seeks to address, informed by practical experience, local risk analysis, or consultation with key emergency actors.

Each proposal must present a realistic and achievable implementation plan appropriate to the proposed duration and scope of funding, with activities clearly linked to defined objectives and structured to allow timely and effective delivery.

Projects under this track are expected to deliver measurable outputs and tangible results that strengthen community-level preparedness and resilience.

Eligible thematic areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Flood and natural disaster preparedness
• Anticipatory action and forecast-based response
• Preparedness for conflict-induced displacement
• Protection and support for migrants and refugees
• Community emergency response and first-aid capacity
• Contingency planning and local coordination mechanisms
• Multi-hazard public awareness and risk communication

Eligibility criteria:

To be considered for participation in this track, CSOs must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The CSO must have a valid registration with the Secrétariat Général du Gouvernement (General Secretariat of the Government), evidenced by a copy of the association's registration notice published in the Journal Officiel de la République Tunisienne (JORT), or a letter confirming applying for registration.
• The CSO should have an office/headquarters in one of the municipalities listed above and around implementation for the proposed project.
• The CSO must demonstrate clear alignment of the project concept with its strategic goals.
• The CSO must have been operational for a minimum of one (1) year and no more than three (3) years at the time of application.
• The CSO must have experience in managing at least two (2) projects, including one that is currently active.
• The CSO must have experience of implementing at least one project of a similar scale to the proposed project.
• The CSO must have an adequate administrative structure and staff/volunteers to implement the project.
• The CSO must have a bank account in an authorized Tunisian Bank under the name of the CSO, in line with the requirements of [the competent Tunisian banking/compliance authority — to be confirmed].

Selection criteria:

The selection of EOIs will be conducted through a competitive process. Applications will be reviewed and scored by a selection committee based on the following criteria:

• Organizational & Technical Capacity: 
• Experience in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, or related sectors
• Prior experience implementing donor-funded projects
• Commitment and capacity to participate in the ToT and deliver high-quality cascading training
• Relevance & Risk Analysis: 
• Contribution to disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, and resilience to climate-related or conflict-induced displacement risks
• Grounded in local hazards, risks, and community priorities, supported by evidence or stakeholder consultations
• Alignment with the project's objectives of strengthening local preparedness capacities, coordination, and community resilience

• Impact & Inclusion: 
• Potential for lasting improvements through community ownership, knowledge transfer, and sustainability beyond the grant period
• Meaningful participation and equitable access for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups
• Coordination and collaboration with key emergency actors to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms
• Feasibility: 
• Practicality and technical soundness of the proposed activities within the timeframe, budget, and operational context
• Environmental sustainability and climate-sensitive approaches within project design and implementation
• Budget Realism and Cost-Effectiveness: 
• A clear, realistic, cost-effective budget
• Strong correlation between planned activities, expected results, and proposed costs

Grant Disbursement Schedule:

The grant will be paid in three (3) installments. The first installment will constitute 40% of the total awarded grant, disbursed within 30 days of Grant Agreement signature. The second installment will constitute an additional 40% of the total award, disbursed upon submission of all supporting documents and a satisfactory financial statement for the first installment. The third and final installment will constitute the remaining 20% of the total award, disbursed based on the final financial statement and supporting documents, and confirmation of satisfactory project completion.

Tier-Specific Evaluation Calibration:

The evaluation committee will assess applications in a manner that reflects the size, experience, and operational capacity of each applicant organization, ensuring a fair and equitable process that recognizes the diverse capacities and strengths of participating CSOs.

Submission Guidelines:

• CSOs interested in applying for this granting track must submit the enclosed Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 10 October  2026 à 14h00  (Tunisia time). Late submissions will not be accepted.
• The EOI form must be submitted in Word format to grant.tunis@acted.org The subject line should state: 14GRS CSO EOI.  
• The EOI may be completed and submitted in either English or Arabic.
• The EOI must be submitted together with a copy of the organization's valid registration certificate or a letter confirming applying for registration.
• For any questions regarding this EOI, please contact: info.grants@acted.org

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M1ZI8-i-YZthdNnXYzf4EDGio-2Y30aa