CIVICUS Seeks External Learning and Community Design Consultant: USD 10,000 Consultancy to Build a Global Grassroots Solidarity Network @Unknown

Apply for the CIVICUS External Learning and Community Design Consultancy. Three-month consultancy worth USD 10,000 to co-design the WeRise Global Community and strengthen grassroots movements worldwide.

CIVICUS Global Alliance is inviting experienced consultants and consultancy teams to apply for an exciting international consultancy opportunity to design the future of the WeRise Global Community.

Valued at USD 10,000 and running for three months (September–November 2026), this consultancy offers a unique opportunity to help shape a global movement-led solidarity infrastructure that strengthens civic space, grassroots organizing, and cross-border collaboration.

The consultancy is ideal for professionals with expertise in movement building, participatory facilitation, community design, organizational learning, and human rights ecosystems. Successful applicants will work closely with CIVICUS and members of the WeRise network to co-create a sustainable global community that continues to foster learning, solidarity, and collective action long after the current funding cycle ends.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) must be submitted by 5 August 2026.

About CIVICUS Global Alliance

CIVICUS is a global alliance dedicated to defending people power by strengthening civil society and promoting civic freedoms around the world. Today, the alliance brings together more than 17,000 members across over 180 countries, making it one of the world’s largest civil society networks.

Through research, advocacy, partnerships, and capacity strengthening, CIVICUS works to:

• Defend civic freedoms
• Promote citizen participation
• Support grassroots movements
• Strengthen civil society organizations
• Amplify voices from the Global South
• Hold governments and institutions accountable
• Foster innovation and collaboration across the civil society sector

The organization believes that empowered communities and vibrant civic spaces are essential for achieving democracy, justice, and sustainable development.

Background of the Consultancy

Grassroots organizations and social movements continue to defend the right to peaceful assembly despite growing restrictions on civic space, increasing repression, and rapidly changing political environments.

While many initiatives provide grants and short-term support, long-term collaboration between movements often remains fragmented and heavily dependent on donor funding.

Through two successful WeRise cohorts, CIVICUS has supported 32 grassroots organizations and movement collectives through:

• Innovation spaces
• Learning exchanges
• Grant funding
• Solidarity initiatives
• Capacity strengthening

As the current grant cycle concludes, CIVICUS now aims to preserve these relationships by transforming the WeRise network into a movement-owned global community that continues to thrive independently.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The selected consultant will lead a participatory learning and co-creation process that helps establish the WeRise Global FoPA (Freedom of Peaceful Assembly) Solidarity Infrastructure.

Rather than simply producing a strategy document, the consultant will facilitate collaboration among network members to jointly design a sustainable community model built around shared ownership, mutual learning, and long-term solidarity.

The consultancy emphasizes meaningful participation, inclusive decision-making, and movement leadership throughout the design process.

Consultancy Objectives

The consultant will work with WeRise members to achieve several key objectives.

These include:

• Assessing existing relationships, strengths, and learning needs across the network.
• Co-designing the community’s long-term vision and governance model.
• Identifying collaborative services and solidarity mechanisms that strengthen movement cooperation.
• Developing practical recommendations for sustaining a member-led global community.
• Producing an implementation roadmap that guides future development and engagement.

Scope of Work

The consultancy covers several interconnected workstreams designed to establish a strong foundation for the future WeRise Community.

Conduct a Community Discovery Assessment

The consultant will undertake a participatory assessment of the WeRise network to better understand:

• Existing relationships
• Community strengths
• Shared interests
• Aspirations
• Opportunities for collaboration

Applicants are expected to propose an appropriate methodology for conducting this assessment.

Facilitate an Inclusive Listening Process

A major component of the assignment involves leading consultations that encourage broad participation from members across different countries and contexts.

The consultant should create processes that promote:

• Trust
• Inclusion
• Diverse perspectives
• Equitable participation
• Shared learning

Co-create the WeRise Community Model

Working directly with network members, the consultant will facilitate collaborative discussions to define:

• Community purpose
• Shared identity
• Guiding principles
• Governance arrangements
• Ways of working

This process should strengthen ownership among members while establishing a sustainable movement-led structure.

Develop the Community Value Proposition

The consultant will help identify the most valuable functions the future community should provide.

Potential areas include:

• Learning opportunities
• Peer support
• Collaborative campaigns
• Knowledge sharing
• Movement solidarity
• Resource exchange
• Collective advocacy

Recommendations should reflect priorities identified through the participatory consultation process.

Design a Community Engagement Framework

The consultancy also requires developing practical recommendations that encourage ongoing participation across the network.

The framework should support:

• Leadership development
• Collaborative learning
• Member engagement
• Long-term stewardship
• Sustainable participation

Produce an Implementation Roadmap

Finally, the consultant will prepare a practical roadmap outlining:

• Priority actions
• Governance considerations
• Phased implementation
• Long-term sustainability recommendations

The roadmap will guide the establishment and continued growth of the WeRise Global Community.

Expected Deliverables

The successful consultant will produce several key outputs, including:

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

These deliverables will provide CIVICUS with practical guidance for launching and sustaining the movement-owned community.

Required Qualifications

CIVICUS is seeking highly experienced consultants with expertise in community and movement development.

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• Movement building
• Community organizing
• Network facilitation
• Participatory learning
• Organizational learning
• Communities of Practice
• Human rights ecosystems
• Civic space initiatives
• Multi-country facilitation
• Qualitative research
• Report writing

Experience using human-centred design, systems thinking, or participatory design methodologies will be considered a strong advantage.

Consultancy Details

• Organization: CIVICUS Global Alliance
• Consultancy Duration: September–November 2026
• Length: Three months
• Estimated Budget: USD 10,000
• Application Deadline: 5 August 2026

How to Apply

Interested consultants or consultancy teams should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via email using the subject line:

EOI – External Learning and Community Design Consultancy

Applications should include:

• A comprehensive CV
• A cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining relevant experience and proposed approach
• A proposed consultancy budget

EOIs should be submitted no later than 5 August 2026.

APPLY HERE

Why This Consultancy Matters

As civic freedoms continue to face increasing pressure worldwide, stronger collaboration among grassroots organizations has never been more important.

This consultancy provides an opportunity to contribute to a globally significant initiative that moves beyond traditional donor-funded relationships by helping movements build sustainable systems of learning, mutual support, and collective action.

Professionals with expertise in participatory facilitation, movement ecosystems, and community design will have the opportunity to influence how civil society organizations collaborate across regions for years to come.

Final Thoughts

The External Learning and Community Design Consultancy offers experienced facilitators, researchers, and movement-building experts a unique chance to help shape a global solidarity network supporting grassroots organizations working to defend civic space and democratic participation.

With a USD 10,000 budget, a collaborative international scope, and the opportunity to work with one of the world’s leading civil society alliances, this consultancy is particularly well suited to professionals passionate about participatory design, organizational learning, and strengthening people-powered movements worldwide.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest before 5 August 2026.

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