Call for in-kind Corporate Sponsoring of 2026 Europe Day Reception in Harare

Opportunity

The European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe is excited to announce a call for sponsors for our annual Europe Day Reception and celebrations, taking place on Friday the 8th of May, 2026 in the afternoon (tentatively 12:30 PM-3:30 PM) 

Europe Day is the European Union’s official annual celebration, marking the signing of the Schuman Declaration and the foundations of European unity. In Zimbabwe, the Europe Day Reception has become a well-established fixture on the diplomatic and social calendar, convening a broad community of partners to celebrate the European Union, its Member States, and the EU–Zimbabwe partnership.

This prestigious annual event, held in Harare, brings together a carefully invited audience drawn from European and Zimbabwean dignitaries, international partners, civil society, the cultural sector, media and friends of the European Union. Together, we commemorate the signing of the Schuman Declaration, a landmark moment that laid the foundation for the European Union. Renowned as one of Harare’s most highly anticipated events of its kind, the 2026 edition will retain its signature highlights while offering a refreshed format and atmosphere. Hosted in a garden setting, the reception will provide a relaxed yet refined environment for meaningful engagement, networking and exchange. This format is designed to enhance the sponsor experience by allowing for closer audience connection, clear brand presence, and sustained exposure throughout the event. The event will be a vibrant celebration featuring: 

• A distinguished gathering of Zimbabwean and international influencers and decision-makers; 

• A European Village: A showcase of several traditional European culinary delights, beverages, and treats;

• Cultural and artistic performances: reflecting European and local creativity; 

• Integrated event visibility: Supported by extensive media coverage from both traditional and digital platforms, amplifying sponsor visibility before, during and after the celebration. 

European Union, 2025

By supporting Europe Day, sponsors become part of an official European Union event and benefit from association with one of the Delegation’s most visible annual activities. 

We invite you to be part of this celebration and showcase your organization to a wide and influential audience!

Why sponsor Europe Day? 

Europe Day is more than a celebration—it’s an excellent platform for companies and organizations to enhance their image and promote their brands or activities through a strategic partnership with the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe. By sponsoring this prestigious event, you will: 

• Increase your brand visibility among a high-profile audience of government representatives, international organizations, private sector leaders, cultural stakeholders, and members of the diplomatic community. 

• Showcase your products or services to a diverse and influential group of stakeholders. 

• Network with key decision-makers and influencers in Zimbabwe and beyond. 

Media, Visibility and Profile

Europe Day consistently attracts attention from national print, broadcast and online media, reinforcing its profile as a key moment on Zimbabwe’s diplomatic and cultural calendar. Previous celebrations have been covered by leading outlets The Herald, Newsday, Zimbabwe Independent, Daily News, StarFM, ZiFM, ZTN, Nrtv and 3KTV, along with prominent online platforms like NewsHawks, EarGround, Maricho Media and the Digital Telegraph. This multi-channel coverage contributes to sustained visibility for the event and its partners.

In addition, our social media ecosystem, —one of the most robust among EU Delegations worldwide— creates impactful digital touchpoints for sponsors. With over 152,700 followers on X, 18,000 on Facebook, and a growing presence on Instagram (2,300 followers), LinkedIn (5,700 followers) and Bluesky, our Europe Day content consistently generates high engagement. Sponsors receive prominent placement in event-related visuals, videos, and posts, maximizing their digital exposure. 

The sponsorship benefits go far beyond media and online reach, granting you unparalleled access to an exclusive audience of over 300 attendees. This distinguished group includes government officials, business leaders, representatives from EU Member States, international organizations, cultural figures, and members of the diplomatic corps—key stakeholders shaping Zimbabwe’s development and economic future. Sponsorship provides a unique opportunity to position your brand within these influential networks.

1. Eligibility and Selection criteria

• The Sponsor can be a public or private organization/company.

• The Sponsor’s nature and activities may not entail a possible conflict with nor undermine the principles and values of the EU, as well as with the mission and objectives of the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe.

• The Sponsor must not be in an irregular situation as referred to in the Articles on this link, regarding the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union. For this, the Sponsor will return the attached Declaration on Selection and Exclusion Criteria.pdf.

2. Commitments of the sponsor:

Those who are selected as sponsors will be invited to contribute to the May 9^th Europe Day Reception in Harare in the form of services or supply of goods. 

Only contributions in-kind will be accepted.

Financial contributions to the EU Delegation are prohibited by the Financial Rules of the European Institutions.

Sponsors are welcomed to suggest other forms of in-kind sponsorship, for review by the EU Delegation. Typical contributions could include:

• Provision of products, such as promotional materials, catering inclusive of cutlery and crockery, drinks inclusive of champagne, wine, beer and drinking glasses, napkins, audio-visual equipment such as PA and sound system, LED screens, golf carts, decorations, flowers. This list is not exclusive; all items must be in agreement with the European Union Delegation.

• Further, all material provided must include transportation costs, security costs, liability insurance, set-up and removal fees, and any manpower required to run or monitor it during the event itself.

• Provision of services, such as venue preparation with hiring cocktail tables, tables, table cloths, chairs, a performance stage, toilet hire, cleaning services, photography and videography, lighting including fairy and security lighting (solar lighting), transport, ambulance provision and security.

• Provision of staff support, such as waiters, event coordinator on site.

3. What can sponsors expect from the European Union Delegation?

By signing a Corporate Sponsoring Agreement the parties agree on the terms and conditions for the corporate sponsoring.

The sponsors will be providing in-kind contributions and can expect exposure and visibility in the following ways (depending on the financial value of the in-kind donation):

European Union, 2025

*Sponsors who receive invitations to offer to their contacts may do so after prior notification of the contacts’ names to the European Union Delegation for the purpose of the normal security and entry procedures.

Outside of the above outlined participation, sponsors will not be allowed to actively market and sell their product/services, nor be authorized to have sales personnel present for promotional activities during the event.

4. Publication and data processing

Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsors will be registered by the EU and Gold and Platinum sponsors will also be published on the EU Delegation’s website and EU’s official websites.

Sponsors should be aware that the EEAS processes personal data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC. In case personal data needs to be transmitted to any sponsors, as recipient, the organisation is required to ensure the same level of data protection guaranteed by the EU data protection framework, and in particular Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.

5. Review & Selection

• The European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe will review the applications in line with the eligibility and selection criteria listed under point 1 and will determine the organizations/companies that best align with the core objective of the event in order to sign a Corporate Sponsorship Agreement.

• Selection criteria include the sponsorship appeal in terms of goods or services provided and coherence between the sponsored Europe Day event and promotion of the sponsor.

• The candidate will provide the attached declaration on exclusion and selection criteria dully filled in, signed and dated by the legally authorised representative. 

• The EU Delegation reserves the right not to accept proposals which, because of the nature of the sponsorship or of the sponsor's activities, are deemed incompatible with the institutional role of the European Union. The EU Delegation also reserves the right to refuse any sponsorship not deemed consistent with the purpose of the Europe Day event.

6. How to Apply

If you're interested in sponsoring some items/services for the Europe Day 2026 reception, please submit your expression of interest, including:

• A brief description of your organization and its activities

• A clear indication of the type and value of your proposed sponsorship

• Contact information for your organization, including a primary point of contact and email address

CONTACT DETAILS AND SUBMISSION OF SPONSORSHIP PROPOSALS: kindly send your expression of interest to Alexandra Maseko DELEGATION-ZIMBABWE-CALL-FOR-SPONSORS@eeas.europa.eu by COB Friday 27 February 2026. 

The deadline for submitting sponsorship proposals is COB Friday 27 February 2026. 

We look forward to partnering with you to make Europe Day 2026 a memorable and successful celebration!

See Declaration on Exclusion and Selection Criteria and Pdf version of Terms of Reference - Corproate Sponsorship for Europe Day, May 8, 2026