Deadline: 21-Aug-23
Global Communities invites qualified civil society organizations (CSOs) with experience in public engagement, community engagement, youth work, and capacity building of local CSOs to apply for “Voice of the Community in local Self-Government” Competition.
USAID’s international technical assistance program “Decentralization Delivers Better Results and Efficiency” (DOBRE), implemented by Global Communities, continues to provide comprehensive assistance to support local self-government to deepen democracy, improve conditions for community development, and promote stability in Ukraine. DOBRE contributes to increasing the efficiency of local self-government and supports the priorities of citizens by developing the capacity of territorial communities (TG), promoting local economic development, improving the quality of service provision, increasing the transparency of local budgeting and financial management, strengthening the participation of citizens in decision-making at the local level, and improving communication regarding reforms.
Goals and Objectives
- USAID DOBRE program will select at least one ROGS based on the results of the open competition process. Taking into account time constraints, lack of capacity and/or resources of the applicant organizations, the DOBRE Program may, at its discretion, involve several organizations for activities in the specified target areas. The organization(s) will be selected, which is able to contribute in the best possible way to the successful implementation of the measures envisaged by the DOBRE Program.
- To become a partner of the DOBRE Program, the ROHS must have the capacity to work flexibly in all three target areas with an existing network of contacts and/or offices. In cooperation with international partners – implementers of the DOBRE Program, ROGS will provide support and develop the capacity of local CSOs, including consultative and advisory bodies under local self-government bodies, in establishing effective cooperation between citizens and local authorities in the process of restoration and development of territorial communities, solving issues of improvement providing services in TG, improving social cohesion of TG, conducting local information campaigns about the problems of TG development. The support from the ROGS will consist of trainings and consultations, technical assistance in the development and implementation of short-term projects, organization and holding of mobilization events, etc. In particular, the activities of the ROGS may include, but are not limited to, the following measures:
- carrying out, on the basis of data provided by the DOBRE Program and TG, diagnostics of existing mechanisms and practices of citizen involvement in 4 territorial communities-partners of the DOBRE Program in the Mykolaiv region;
- carrying out a needs assessment for the application of various informal methods, tools for engaging citizens, introducing an effective mechanism for consultations with the public, taking into account the peculiarities of the war and post-war state, the functional type of territories;
- preparation of an action plan for the implementation and improvement/strengthening of formal and informal practices/mechanisms of citizen involvement based on a deliberative approach. This activity provides, if necessary, the provision of technical assistance in improving the relevant local normative legal acts that regulate the issue of citizen involvement;
- conducting training of local self-government officials, representatives of local CSOs, consultative and advisory bodies at local self-government bodies on the use of modern informal methods, tools for engaging citizens based on a deliberative (deliberation) approach. In addition, providing support in the implementation of information campaigns to improve the awareness of TG residents regarding the possibilities of participation in solving issues of local importance;
- provision of technical assistance to local self-government bodies in the application of mechanisms, tools for engaging citizens in the development and implementation of TG development strategies, TG recovery and development plans, integrated recovery programs, economic development, improvement/restoration of the sphere of public services and solving other urgent TG problems. First of all, this applies to traditional formalized/traditional forms, methods (meetings of citizens at the place of residence, public hearings, local initiatives, electronic petitions, public budget, public school budget, budget for citizens, etc.), as well as informal/non-traditional measures for conducting consultations with the public regarding solving issues of local importance, making decisions. These activities should be carried out in close coordination with other components of the DOBRE Program “Local Economic Development” and “Improvement of Public Services” in order to strengthen the participation of citizens in the process of economic development and improvement of service provision;
- mapping of the sector of local CSOs in 4-territorial communities-partners of the DOBRE Program and assessment of the capacity of local CSOs using the “Constructive Capacity Assessment (ARC)” method (will be provided to the selected CSO). Providing support to local CSOs in drafting and implementing organizational development plans. Conducting appropriate training of local CSOs on implementation of capacity development plans of local CSOs. Administration of the sub-grant program for local CSOs (the amount of one grant is up to $3,000, the expected number. Grant support can be aimed at the development of territorial cohesion, the implementation of initiatives to improve the scope of public services, the stabilization of the psycho-emotional state of vulnerable social groups under martial law, the implementation of measures to involve citizens in solving local issues, the implementation of public monitoring of the budget process, the implementation of programs and local development projects. Support of local CSOs in conducting awareness raising campaigns on one or more local issues;
- providing support to local self-government bodies in the introduction, renewal, and restoration of youth work in TG. Conducting an assessment of the current state of youth work, mapping the infrastructure of youth work in TG. Providing technical support in the development and implementation of a plan of activities, local programs for the recovery, introduction and development of youth work in TG in accordance with standards and best practices;
- providing support in developing the potential of youth councils as consultative and advisory bodies, youth workers. Conducting youth ideathons and providing support in the development of youth projects that will be supported by the DOBRE Program .
Funding Information
- Global Communities plans to provide 1 (one) sub grant from $100,000 to $160,000 for up to 18 months. Signing of grant agreements is planned no earlier than October 1, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following applicants have the right to apply: various civil society organizations capable of providing technical, expert and consulting support to the TG in strengthening citizen participation in solving issues of local importance, restoration and development of the TG. Organizations will have to work in Bashtansk, Voznesensk, Halytsynivsk, Snigurivsk TG of Mykolaiv region. All applicant organizations must be properly registered and their activities must meet the requirements of Ukrainian legislation. Government and parastatal institutions are not eligible to apply for these grant funds. All applicants must be legal entities under private law and have the status of non-profit organizations, registered in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine. Governmental and parastatal institutions, institutions of public law, profit-making, commercial organizations do not have the right to apply for these grant funds.
- Organizations with a politically neutral mandate that adhere to the principle of non-discrimination of their employees and beneficiaries, as well as employment practices on the basis of equal opportunities, have the right to conclude a sub-grant agreement, in addition to fulfilling the remaining conditions of this MOU . Non-discrimination includes equal treatment regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender and political views.
- Applicants are reminded that US Presidential Executive Orders and US law prohibit conducting operations with, providing resources and support to, individuals or organizations involved in terrorism. Compliance with the provisions of the relevant decrees and laws is the legal obligation of subrecipients of funds. This provision shall be included in all agreements and sub-contracts entered into under the Sub-Grant Agreement.
- Other Qualification Requirements
- each applicant/organization submits only 1 (one) application.
- this Call for Proposals does not require co-financing (a matching contribution).
For more information, visit Global Communities.