Deadline: 15-Feb-24
The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) in collaboration with the country support mechanism (CSM) of Albania, is pleased to announce a call for expressions of interest for CSOs in Albania to form a consortium and become a Principal Recipient (PR) of GCERF funding.
GCERF intends to grant from 1 to 2 awards out of this call for expression of interest. The first grant may contribute to strengthening the existing Local Referral Mechanism for the identification of at-risk individuals and returnees and referral to service providers in Albania. The second grant may facilitate the establishment and strengthening of LPSC to address P/CVE and R&R challenges, as well as strengthen the capacities of Multi-Agency Local Bodies, first responders and Government institutions.
Areas
- GCERF’s planned activities in collaboration with grantees in Albania following key areas:
- Support to Local Public Safety Councils (LPSC):
- Collaborate with local institutions to implement and enhance the capacity of multidisciplinary teams.
- Develop and disseminate locally tailored standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Provide thematic training on P/CVE, disengagement, and community engagement.
- Deliver practical training sessions for efficient case management and response.
- Strengthening capacities of Multi-Agency Local Bodies, first responders and Government institutions to deal with P/CVE and R&R:
- Offer capacity building on trauma treatment and trauma informed care for tertiary prevention practitioners (prison officers, probation services, psycho-social counselors).
- Develop and conduct professional and/or life skills programmes to support the employment prospects of vulnerable prisoners susceptible to radicalization.
- Creating re-entry programmes on deradicalization of juveniles and young prisoners, facilitating their community reintegration.
- Design a protocol for soft Information sharing, the administration and the integration of it for rehabilitative purposes for prisoners on an individual level.
- Strengthening capacities of the Local Referral Mechanism (LRM) members
- Conduct capacity strengthening training for members of the LRM, particularly case managers and local stakeholders at the municipal level on effectively identifying, assessing, treating, and referring at – risk cases of youngsters.
- Offer mentoring and coaching to optimize LRM operationalization: Engage one or two experts to provide technical assistance in proper case management, senior level feedback and counseling for the State Agency for Children’s Rights and Protection (ASHDMF) during the LRM implementation at the municipal level.
- Develop legal frameworks on referral mechanisms, protocols and SOPs for the referral pathway/process.
- Once the mechanisms and protocols are established, collaborate with ASHDMF staff to train teachers, educators, school staff, community actors, parents, and youngsters. This training aims to ensure proficiency in following referral protocols and making informed judgments based on suggested indicators and signs of at risk cases.
- Support to Local Public Safety Councils (LPSC):
In line with the Investment Strategy for Albania and Country Needs Assessment, the focus of the investment will be:
- Who:
- National/local institutions and frontline workers
- Local and community based CSOs/grassroots
- At-risk groups and individuals, children, and youth, including returnees.
- Returnees and their family members or legal guardians
- Where:
- Elbasan, Gramsh, Korca, Vlora, Fier, Lushnje, Mat, Kruja, Mirdite, Lezha, Puke, Shkodra, Has, Pogradec, Tirana, Librazhd, Bulqize, Cerrik, Kukes, Diber, Kavaja.
- What:
- A balanced approach to R&R and P/CVE of all forms of extremism through capacity building, reinforcing mechanisms and mitigating polarisation.
- How:
- CSOs and local institutions are provided the tools and support to work towards a sustainable and coordinated approach to tackling P/CVE and R&R.
Funding Information
- GCERF plans to sign grant agreements with CSOs by April 2024. GCERF will fund up to 2 grants out of this round of funding, with a possibility to top up awards after 18 months based on need and grant performance.
- Grants up to USD 1 million will be considered.
Grant Duration
- The grant duration should be 24-36 months (about 3 years).
Eligibility Criteria
- Grantee
- Each consortium should be led by a Principal Recipient (PR) responsible for providing subgrants to other consortium members (Sub-Recipients). Priority will be given to consortia whose members have experience implementing socioeconomic and governance programmes, specifically in the context of preventing violent extremism. Experience with implementing rehabilitation and reintegration programming is also highly desirable. Women-led and Youth-led (under the age of 35) are strongly encouraged to apply. Organisations with experience partnering with the private sector are also highly encouraged to apply.
- Applicants are asked to demonstrate that they meet GCERF’s established prerequisites and possess the required capabilities to be a PR of GCERF funding.
- Prerequisites
- Appropriate legal registration of the consortium lead in Albania.
- Willingness and capacity to accept and fulfil the role of a PR.
- Capabilities
- Established relationships and credibility with the relevant national and local authorities, institutions and front liners (e.g. LPCs, CSOs, municipalities, social workers, schools, psychologists, and international organizations. etc.), and other stakeholders involved in R&R of FTFs and their families.
- Minimum three years of experience with programme management centered on community engagement, coordinating with multiple stakeholders and addressing various forms of extremism.
- Experience in managing consortiums and providing capacity support to small grassroots organisations.
- Experience in managing sub-recipients and assessing and enhancing their capacities.
- Ability to manage community-based partners and implement multiple grants out of a consortium grant.
- Experience and capacity in financial management and in the management of and accounting for donor grant funding.
- Willingness and capacity to engage international partners as sub recipients and service providers.
- Prerequisites
For more information, visit GCERF.