Call for Expressions of Interest: Green Skills Air Quality Programme (Macedonia)

Deadline: 12-Sep-23

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking expressions of interest for the Green Skills Air Quality programme.

Children and young people are more vulnerable to adverse environmental conditions than adults and are more sensitive to the harmful effects of climate change and environmental pollution. The skills, knowledge and attitudes they nurture in children and young people today are the foundation of the collective resilience to climate change and sustainable development of the communities in the future.

Towards this goal UNICEF is implementing programme in the area of environment and climate change funded by the Sweden’s government agency for development cooperation (Sida). Besides integrating holistic and comprehensive climate change and environment education, these programmes aim to nurture new “green” skills needed for the process of transitioning to a “green” economy through participation and educational policies at all levels, including through collaboration with the private sector. UNICEF has also recently published an analysis on the green skills situation in the country which will inform the work in the field going forward.

The programmes also aim to support existing youth-led networks for environment and air quality advocacy while strengthening the advocacy skills and influence of young people on environment and air quality decision making and create space for their engagement with local and national government(s).

Pillars

• This call for expression of interest focuses on green skills and youth led advocacy related to Air Quality, and it is structured around four interconnected pillars:
  • Collaboration with the private sector and the Education for employment in North Macedonia – E4E@mk” project, financed by the Government of Switzerland, to develop formal and non-formal education programmes and courses that lead to AQ-related green jobs
  • Organizing thematic workshops on air pollution to increase communication and advocacy skills of youth and support them to develop advocacy campaigns on clean air in their communities
  • Providing support to existing youth-led networks for air quality advocacy and capacity building on air quality for network members

Sector(s) and Area(s) of Specialization

• Education
  • Education – general
  • Skills development for adolescents

Duration

• The approximate duration of the intervention is 12 months.

Expected Result

• The expected results are:
  • Conduct an analysis and “greening” revision of 10 curricula and/or VET profiles – in collaboration with the VET center and the E4E@mk” project
  • Develop and organize a short non-formal education course in cooperation with private sector companies and/or associations – in collaboration with the VET Center and Center for the education of adults
  • Organize 5 thematic workshops on environment communication and advocacy skills for environment and air quality in 5 pilot municipalities – including members/staff of the Youth Councils and Youth centers
  • Organize 15 working sessions on local level (within the 5 pilot municipalities) to review implementation of measures outlined in the municipal air quality plans and develop or adapt solutions that best reflect the available resources and current needs

Indicators

• Number of VET profiles/curricula revised (Target: 5)
• Number of young people participating in the non-formal education courses (Target: 30)
• Number of youth organizations, including Youth Councils and Youth Centers, participating in the capacity building workshops for environment and air quality communication and advocacy (Target: 20)
• Number of young people participating in the advocacy workshops (Target: 150)
• Number of innovative projects developed by young people and delivered to the pilot municipality councils (Target: 25)

Locations

• North Macedonia
  • Opstina Karpos

Eligibility Criteria

• CSO must:
  • be registered in North Macedonia.
  • not be an entity named on any of the UN Security Council targeted sanction lists.

Ineligibility Criteria

• CSO submission which:
  • are sent in any other way than through the UNPP;
  • are not sent within the specified deadline;
  • do not include all required documents duly completed and signed or do not comply with specifications set in this Call for Expression of Interest;
  • are not submitted in English.

For more information, visit UNICEF.