Deadline: 18-Jul-25
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is seeking proposals from Ukrainian think tanks, independent business membership organizations (chambers of commerce, associations), economic consultancies, or a consortium of these types of organizations, to complete a series of activities that will elevate the voice of the Ukrainian private sector on issues related to the new global environment for trade affecting Ukrainian business, economic security and economic resilience as well as advance reform priorities and efforts on these topics.
Objectives
- The primary objective of this RFP is to engage an organization/consortium in Ukraine with recognized expertise in convening private sector actors and advancing a constructive dialogue on economic reform among government and business in Ukraine.
- The selected organization/consortium will strengthen the role of the private sector in supporting Ukraines economic resilience and drive the countrys continued reform.
- The goal of these efforts is to identify and cohere the priorities of the Ukrainian private sector, develop recommendations to enhance economic resilience amidst rapid changes in the global trade and the economic and security landscape, elevate them on the international landscape, and advocate on behalf of their implementation.
Scope
- The selected organization/consortium will be responsible for:
- Consulting with Private Sector Actors: The selected organization/consortium will launch a participatory consultative process to identify private sector priorities that would enhance Ukraines economic resilience. This will require the organization/consortium to identify key themes relevant to Ukraines international economic resilience which can serve as the foundation of the consultations and develop a map of key stakeholders to invite and include in the workshops from the Ukrainian private sector. This consultative process will identify the priorities of Ukrainian businesses in navigating the current economic and security landscape, both domestically and internationally. The methodology may consist of a series of public-private dialogue (PPD) sessions, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs) with representatives of the private sector, key government stakeholders, and members of economic policy think tanks. The selected organization/consortium may also implement a national survey of businesses throughout Ukraine to identify key business priorities. The consultations should engage businesses within various oblasts of Ukraine and target responses from at least 10-12 business associations with wide geographic coverage.
- Conducting Research on Economic Trends: The selected organization/consortium will conduct in-depth desk research on key economic trends affecting Ukrainian businesses and the economic resilience of the country. The research should identify key opportunities for economic growth, legislative gaps, implementation shortcomings of current legislation, and reform priorities.
- Producing Policy Papers: The selected organization/consortium will produce a series of policy papers that identify key recommendations and areas of consensus from business leaders and experts, based on extensive research and the results of the consultation process. This will require the organization/consortium to develop a series of priorities, policy reforms, and specific policy recommendations aimed at both Ukrainian and international audiences published in Ukrainian and English. The purpose of these position papers is to outline specific legislative and regulatory proposals to address existing and emerging challenges resulting from Ukraines war-affected economy, while also implementing effective mechanisms to provide swift support to its private sector. The policy recommendations should target policymakers at the national level and focus on increasing Ukraines economic resilience and security as well as increasing trade with Western allies including the United States.
- Facilitating a Panel on Key Findings: Representatives from the partner organization/consortium that played key roles in drafting the policy papers will facilitate a panel on their findings during a CIPE-sponsored international conference on Ukraines resilience in Europe in fall 2025. Representatives from the partner organization/consortium will be required to travel to a country within Europe that is to be determined and present the findings of the policy papers with key stakeholders.
- Conducting Advocacy: The selected organization/consortium will be responsible for facilitating a series of PPDs with key government officials after the policy papers are published to advocate implementation of identified private sector priorities. The selected organization/consortium should seek to engage relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada, e.g. the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Development and the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy, and Government Ministries and Agencies, e.g. the Ministry of the Economy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, and the State Regulatory Services of Ukraine.
Funding Information
- The entire project budget should range from $80,000 $110,000.
Deliverables
- The activities outlined in the Scope of Work will result in:
- A series of policy papers with key recommendations and takeaways from Ukrainian business leaders directed to the Ukrainian government and international decision makers to bolster economic resilience in a changing global context for trade and economic security. The policy papers will be informed by a thorough consultation process and desk research as outlined in the Scope of Work.
- Facilitation of a panel in a major international convening hosted by CIPE in Europe later in 2025, which will bring the voice of Ukrainian business leaders (including those who participate in these roundtables) into an international conversation in partnership with leading G7 business and policy allies of Ukraine.
- A series of PPDs with relevant policymakers to advocate for policy recommendations as outlined in the policy papers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be a legally registered nonprofit, non-governmental organization (NGO), research institution, business association, policy think tank, or consortium of such entities.
- Both individual organizations and consortia are eligible to apply, provided that the lead applicant assumes overall responsibility for project coordination, implementation, and reporting.
- The lead applicant or at least one member of the consortium must have a registered operational presence in Ukraine and the capacity to conduct activities across multiple oblasts.
- Demonstrated ability to work in Ukraines current political, economic, and security environment is required.
- At least five (5) years of experience in conducting multi-stakeholder consultations, PPDs, or similar participatory processes.
- Experience conducting policy research, legislative analysis, and developing policy recommendations targeting both domestic and international audiences.
- Previous work with or engagement of Ukrainian private sector actors, business associations, and/or government institutions.
- Proven capacity to organize and manage nationwide consultations, including outreach to business associations and stakeholders in multiple oblasts of Ukraine.
- Capability to coordinate international travel and participate in high-level conferences or public forums.
Evaluation Criteria
- Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Only organizations/a consortium based in Ukraine will be considered.
- Quality, clarity, and feasibility of the proposed methodology for stakeholder consultations (PPDs, KIIs, FGDs, and optional survey).
- Comprehensiveness and realism of the proposed approach to conducting desk research on economic trends.
- Integration of consultation and research findings into policy papers with actionable and evidence-based recommendations.
- Relevance of the engagement strategy, especially about businesses from a wide geographic span and engagement of business associations.
- Demonstrated experience in:
- Conducting multi-stakeholder consultations and public-private dialogues.
- Producing high-quality policy research and recommendations.
- Working effectively with both private sector actors and government institutions in Ukraine.
- Qualifications and experience of proposed key personnel.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in Ukraines current economic and security context.
- Cost-effectiveness and budget justification. Please note the technical proposal will account for 80% of the overall evaluation score, while the cost proposal (budget) will comprise the remaining 20%.
Application Requirements
- The selected organization/consortium will be required to submit weekly updates during implementation and a final narrative report to CIPE upon completion of the project. The final narrative report will be due no later than January 30, 2026. Please note that CIPE is required to reserve some of the project funds until the final report is accepted to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives.
- The selected organization/consortium will be required to report on:
- The number of businesses and/or associations supported under this objective that participate in project advocacy activities, disaggregated by type of organization/consortium and project activity.
- The number of economic policy initiatives drafted with support from this project
- The number of publications from media outlets engaged through this project that accurately report on discussions and proposed solutions from the expert community.
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