PROJECT TITLE: ALL GIRLS IN SPORT CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) – 

SELECTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) / SPORT ENTITIES FOR INCUBATION 

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) 

1. Background 

Founded in 1999, PLAY International is a French non-governmental organization that leverages the power of sport to address social challenges affecting children and youth, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Operating at the intersection of education, protection, and social inclusion, the organization uses sport as an innovative pedagogical tool to promote access to education, gender equality, health awareness, social cohesion, and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Since its creation, PLAY International has implemented projects in over 20 countries, benefiting nearly one million children worldwide. 

PLAY International opened its mission in Rwanda in 2024, working in close collaboration with local stakeholders, including schools, community groups, and sports actors. Through its programs, the organization seeks to create safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where children and young people can learn, grow, and thrive. Its interventions are guided by strong principles of child protection, gender equality, and social cohesion. 

Despite Rwanda’s progress in promoting sports for development, challenges persist in ensuring that sport environments are safe, inclusive, and accessible to all. Girls, in particular, continue to face barriers such as discrimination, harmful social norms, and risks of violence, limiting their participation and potential benefits from sport. 

In response to these challenges, the “All Girls in Sport” project aims to contribute to the reduction of gender inequalities by promoting girls’ participation in sport in Rwanda and Burundi. The project seeks to foster inclusive sport practices for all children, with a particular focus on increasing opportunities and access for girls within their communities. At the same time, it prioritizes strengthening child protection systems, especially for girls, to ensure that sport is practiced in a safe, inclusive, dignified, and respectful environment. 

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and/or Sports entities play a vital role in advancing these efforts at the community level. However, many face capacity gaps related to governance, organizational development, resource mobilization, and safeguarding systems.

To address these challenges, PLAY International is launching this Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify and support a cohort of CSOs and/or sports entities through a structured incubation program. This initiative aims to strengthen their capacities to design and deliver inclusive, safe, and sustainable sport programs, contributing to a more equitable and protective sport ecosystem in Rwanda. 

2. Purpose of the Call 

This Call for Expressions of Interest (CEI), launched by PLAY International, aims to: • Identify and select five eligible CSOs and/or sports entities in Rwanda that are implementing an innovative initiative 

• Strengthen their institutional and operational capacities
• Support the adoption of policies on protection and gender inclusion within these organizations 
• Improve prevention and response to violence in sport in general, and in the three targeted districts and their sectors in particular 
• Promote safe, inclusive, and child-friendly sports environments, particularly for girls

3. Objectives of the Incubation Program 

The incubation program aims to: 

• Strengthen child protection systems within five Rwandan CSOs and/or sports entities 
• Increase girls’ participation and leadership in sport through these five supported CSOs
• Prevent and combat violence in sports settings within these sectors and districts 
• Improve the governance, accountability, and sustainability of these entities to ensure greater accountability for child protection 
• Promote inclusive, respectful, and safe sports environments for children, youth under 18, and girls 

4. Scope of support Provided 

Selected organizations will benefit from the following support: 

• Signature partnership agreements 
• Orientation on program expectations and commitments
• Organizational capacity assessments 
• Strengthening governance, administration, and accountability systems to ensure system sustainability 
• Ongoing mentorship and coaching 
• Trainings on Child protection and safeguarding, or Gender equality and girls’ participation, or Prevention of violence in sport
• Support to design inclusive and innovative sport initiatives
• Grants to support implementation of innovative actions 

5. Eligibility criteria 

Interested organizations must meet the following criteria: 

• Legally registered and actively operating in the following districts: Gasabo, Rwamagana, and Kirehe
• Active in sport-based activities with at least three years of experience
• Strong focus on rural communities 
• Demonstrated commitment to: Girls’ participation in sport; Violence prevention in sport; Child protection and safeguarding
• Applicants must not be currently receiving support from PLAY International.
• Willingness to undergo capacity assessment 
• Commitment to capacity strengthening 
• Availability to participate in all program activities
• Innovative or impactful initiatives 
• Potential for sustainability and community impact
• Willingness to sign a partnership agreement
• Have an active bank account in the name of the organization
• Ability to manage funds and comply with reporting requirements 
• Present 3 references 

6. Selection process and Evaluation criteria 

6.1 Selection Process 

The selection process will include: 

6.2 Evaluation Criteria 

Applications will be assessed based on: 

Relevance and alignment (30%) 

• Alignment with project objectives 
• Commitment to gender equality and child protection

Organizational capacity (25%) 

• Experience and governance structure 

Quality and innovation (20%) 

• Feasibility and originality of proposed initiatives 

Impact and sustainability (15%) 

• Community impact and long-term viability

Motivation and commitment (10%) 

• Engagement in the incubation program 

7. How to apply 

Interested Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and/or sports entities are invited to submit their applications following the instructions below. Only complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be considered. 

7.1 Application submission requirements 

Applicants must provide the following documents and information: 

1. Completed application form (provided by PLAY International) including:

• • Organization’s legal registration details – ANNEX 2 (no template) 
• Mission, vision, and programmatic focus - ANNEX 3 (no template) 
• Proposed initiatives aligned with the All Girls in Sport objectives, including the description of ongoing sport-based activities, particularly for girls - ANNEX 1 (complete the template) 

2. Organizational information 

• Governance structure (board, management team)
• Past experience in sport, child protection, or gender-related programs
• List of key staff responsible for project implementation

3. Supporting documents 

• Legal registration certificate 
• Latest annual report or financial statement
• Any evidence of previous achievements or impact (photos, reports, ....)

4. Motivation statement 

• Explanation of why your organization is applying
• Demonstration of commitment to child protection, gender equality, and safe sport practices 
• Expected benefits from participation in the incubation program

7.2 Submission method 

• Applications should be submitted via email to:rwanda@play-international.org
• Subject line: “EOI – AGIS Incubation Program + organization Name
• Attach all required documents in PDF format

7.3 Application deadline 

• All applications must be submitted no later than 10 May 2026 at 23.59pm
• Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered

7.4 Contact for clarifications until the 26/04/2026 

PLAY International Rwanda 

Rugando – Kimihurura, KG 624 St, House 14, Kigali

Email: rwanda@play-international.org

No detail will be shared by Phone.