Partner Search – Call for Proposals EuropeAid/186204/DD/ACT/MW (Malawi)

Call for Partners – Lot 2, EuropeAid/186204/DD/ACT/MW
CISS – Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud, an Italian NGO based in Palermo and active since 1985 in international cooperation and human rights, is looking for Malawian partners to jointly design a concept note under Lot 2 – Independent Media for Good Governance of the EU call for proposals EuropeAid/186204/DD/ACT/MW.

We are interested in connecting with Malawian civil society organisations, media actors and other entities active in accountability, transparency, investigative journalism and access to information, ready to co-design a strong, locally grounded proposal.

Deadline for submission of concept notes: 29 May 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time).

⏰ Interested organisations are kindly invited to get in touch by 20 May 2026 to allow enough time for a meaningful joint design of the action.

About Lot 2 – Independent Media for Good Governance
Lot 2 aims to strengthen independent media in Malawi as front-line actors of accountability, transparency and good governance — at a time when the country still faces significant challenges in budget transparency and in the public perception of corruption, as the call itself recognises.

The Lot has a total allocation of EUR 525,500, with single grants ranging between EUR 425,500 and EUR 525,500 per project, covering between 60% and 95% of total eligible costs. Eligible actions must take place in Malawi, include a national-level dimension, and run for a minimum of 30 months and a maximum of 48 months.
The six specific objectives, as set out in Section 1.2 of the Guidelines, focus on:

Strengthening the capacity of local media actors — print, digital, social, broadcast and television — as defenders of accountability, transparency and good governance.

Building investigative journalism skills and supporting the production of diverse investigative news and reports.
Developing fact-checking mechanisms and countering disinformation, particularly on fiscal transparency and public accountability.

Supporting the implementation of the Access to Information Law and contributing to reform processes affecting frameworks such as the Communications Act.
Promoting an enabling media environment through progressive legal and regulatory reforms.
Enhancing coordination and collaboration among key media outlets and bodies, both nationally and internationally.

Across all activities, the call requires proposals to integrate three mandatory cross-cutting dimensions: gender equality, a rights-based approach, and meaningful youth engagement, in line with the EU Youth Action Plan 2022–2027.