CIVICUS Global Alliance is inviting experienced consultants and consulting teams to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the External Learning and Community Design Consultancy 2026. This three-month consultancy presents an exciting opportunity for professionals specializing in community building, participatory design, organizational learning, and movement strengthening to help shape the future of the WeRise Global FoPA Solidarity Infrastructure.

The consultancy aims to transform an existing network of grassroots organizations into a sustainable, movement-owned global community that strengthens collaboration, learning, solidarity, and collective action beyond traditional funding relationships.

Application Deadline: 5 August 2026

About CIVICUS

CIVICUS is a global alliance dedicated to defending people power and strengthening civil society worldwide. With more than 17,000 members across over 180 countries, the organization works to:

• Protect civic freedoms.
• Strengthen civil society organizations.
• Promote accountability.
• Support grassroots movements.
• Amplify voices from the Global South.
• Build stronger global solidarity among civil society actors.

Through research, advocacy, partnerships, and capacity-building, CIVICUS works to ensure that citizens can organize freely and participate meaningfully in shaping their societies.

About the WeRise Initiative

Grassroots organizations worldwide continue to defend the right to peaceful assembly despite:

• Shrinking civic spaces.
• Increasing political repression.
• Complex operating environments.
• Funding limitations.
• Fragmented support systems.

Through two successful WeRise cohorts, CIVICUS has already supported:

• 32 grassroots organizations
• Movement collectives across multiple regions
• Learning exchanges
• Innovation spaces
• Grant support
• Solidarity initiatives

As the current funding cycle concludes, CIVICUS aims to preserve the relationships, trust, and knowledge developed through the programme by creating the WeRise Global FoPA Solidarity Infrastructure.

Rather than remaining a donor-supported network, the vision is to establish a sustainable, movement-led community that promotes:

• Cross-border collaboration
• Shared learning
• Mutual support
• Collective advocacy
• Long-term solidarity

Purpose of the Consultancy

The selected consultant will lead a participatory process that enables members of the WeRise network to co-create the future structure of the community.

The consultancy seeks to ensure that the future community is:

• Member-owned
• Sustainable
• Inclusive
• Collaborative
• Built around the priorities of grassroots movements

Consultancy Objectives

The consultant will work closely with CIVICUS and community members to:

1. Assess existing relationships, strengths, learning needs, and expectations across the WeRise network.
2. Co-design the future vision and identity of the community.
3. Develop governance structures and engagement models.
4. Recommend sustainable collaboration mechanisms.
5. Design a long-term solidarity infrastructure.
6. Produce a practical roadmap for launching the WeRise Global Community.

Scope of Work

Successful consultants will undertake several key activities.

1. Community Discovery and Ecosystem Assessment

The consultant will:

• Conduct participatory assessments.
• Identify community strengths.
• Map relationships.
• Explore collaboration opportunities.
• Assess members’ aspirations and priorities.

2. Community Listening Process

The consultant will design and facilitate an inclusive consultation process that:

• Encourages broad participation.
• Builds trust.
• Ensures equitable representation.
• Captures diverse perspectives.
• Identifies priorities for the future community.

3. Co-create the Community Model

Working collaboratively with members, the consultant will help define:

• Community purpose
• Vision
• Identity
• Guiding principles
• Governance model
• Ways of working
• Member ownership mechanisms

4. Develop the Community Value Proposition

The consultancy will identify the services and opportunities the community should provide, including:

• Peer learning
• Collaboration opportunities
• Knowledge exchange
• Solidarity initiatives
• Capacity strengthening
• Collective advocacy

5. Community Engagement Framework

The consultant will recommend systems for sustaining active member participation through:

• Leadership development
• Community governance
• Learning opportunities
• Collaboration models
• Shared stewardship

6. Implementation Roadmap

A strategic roadmap will outline:

• Launch phases
• Governance recommendations
• Priority actions
• Community development milestones
• Long-term sustainability strategies

Expected Deliverables

The selected consultant will produce:

• Inception Report
• Community Assessment Report
• WeRise Community Design Framework
• Community Implementation Roadmap
• Final Consultancy Report

Required Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• Movement building
• Community organizing
• Network facilitation
• Participatory learning
• Organizational learning
• Communities of Practice
• Social movements
• Civic space
• Human rights
• Human-centered design
• Systems thinking
• Participatory design methodologies
• Qualitative research
• Report writing
• Multi-country stakeholder engagement

Consultancy Duration

The consultancy will run for three months, from:

• September 2026
• October 2026
• November 2026

Application Requirements

Interested consultants should submit:

• A full Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A maximum two-page cover letter describing:
  • Relevant experience.
  • Technical expertise.
  • Proposed methodology.
  • Approach to delivering the consultancy.
• A proposed consultancy budget.

Applications should be sent via email to FoPA@civicus.org  with the subject line:

EOI – External Learning and Community Design Consultancy

Why You Should Apply

This consultancy offers professionals an opportunity to:

• Influence a global movement-building initiative.
• Work alongside leading civil society organizations.
• Design innovative community governance models.
• Support grassroots movements worldwide.
• Strengthen global civic participation.
• Promote sustainable collaboration beyond donor funding.
• Contribute to long-term systems change within international civil society.

Application Deadline

Deadline: 5 August 2026

Interested consultants are encouraged to submit complete applications before the deadline, as late submissions may not be considered.

Final Thoughts

The CIVICUS External Learning and Community Design Consultancy provides a unique opportunity for experienced facilitators, movement builders, and organizational learning experts to help shape a global community committed to defending civic freedoms and strengthening grassroots collaboration.

If you have experience in participatory design, community building, and international civil society, this consultancy allows you to contribute to a transformative initiative that will continue supporting movements long after traditional grant funding has ended.

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