Call for Proposals to promote Gender Equality and End Violence Against Women in Albania

Deadline: 22-Sep-23

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the framework of the “End Violence Against Women in Albania 2023-2025″ (EVAWIA) Phase II programme, is launching a call for proposals for NGOs to promote Gender Equality and End Violence Against Women through awareness raising activities and integrated social service initiatives.

Purpose and Areas of Interest

• The purpose and areas of interest outlined in this call for proposals stem from the imperative need to build upon Albania’s progress in combating violence against women (VAW) while addressing existing challenges. Despite commendable achievements, such as legal reforms and the establishment of support mechanisms, Albania still faces gaps in its efforts to eliminate gender-based violence. These gaps, primarily related to awareness raising and integration initiatives, underscore the importance of targeted interventions to further enhance the commitment of Albania to safeguarding women’s rights and well-being.
• The purpose of this call is driven by the understanding that sustained progress in eliminating VAW requires continuous commitment, innovation, and collaboration. While legal frameworks have evolved and support systems have been established, cultural norms and social stigma continue to hinder reporting and accessing services. By advancing awareness raising and supporting integration initiatives, this call seeks to create a holistic approach that empowers women and challenges societal norms. The ultimate purpose is to contribute to a society where women can live free from violence and fear.
• The selected areas of interest-awareness raising and integration initiatives – are strategically chosen to address specific challenges faced by Albania in its journey towards ending VAW. Raising awareness is critical to challenge deeply ingrained cultural norms and stigma that often deter survivors from seeking help. Integrating survivors requires well-structured interventions that provide comprehensive support, including social and economic empowerment. By focusing on these areas, this call aims to bridge the gaps between policy and practice, ensuring that the progress made thus far translates into tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls.

Focus Areas

• The areas of focus of the proposals are the following:
  • Enhancing awareness about gender-based violence, challenging cultural norms, and empowering survivors of violence.
    • Design and implement awareness raising campaigns/activities in the context of international campaigns such as 16 Days of Activism and International Women Day that emphasize the importance of involving men and boys (including but not limited to bootcamps, open days designed to specifically target men and boys etc) in ending gender-based violence, highlighting the role they can play as allies and advocates.
    • Utilize media platforms, online and other innovative resources to share information, resources, survivor testimonials, and actionable steps community members can take to engage and provide support.
    • Offer safe spaces for survivors to share their experiences and access counselling services, fostering a sense of empowerment and community.
    • Organize activities to raise visibility and engage the community in discussions about gender-based violence.
    • Collaborate with educational institutions to promote awareness and encourage conversations about gender-based violence among students.
    • Conduct workshops and interactive sessions in communities to educate individuals about the various forms of gender-based violence, its impact on survivors, and the importance of reporting and supporting survivors.
  • Supporting the Local Government Units to plan and provide integrated social services for gender-based violence survivors using existing models and experiences.
    • Provide capacity building support to DV Local Coordinators as well as other members of the CRMs on best practices for supporting survivors of GBV & DV and for providing integrated social services.
    • Develop user friendly toolkits that outline step by step guidelines for municipal staff to follow when assisting survivors, ensuring consistent and informed support.
    • Organize workshops that focus on building survivors’ of GBV and DV self-esteem, life skills, confidence, and job skills enabling them to reintegrate in the society.
    • Establish peer mentoring programs where survivors who have successfully integrated in the society can guide and support others in similar journey.

Funding Information

• The project proposal should include a budget proposal where the request for grant shall not exceed the amount of 1,000,000 – 1,200,000 Albanian LEKË.
• Any grant requests over 1,200,000 for the total project period will not be considered.

Project Duration

• The project duration is 10 months.

Geographical Reach

• The purpose of the call is to ensure broad coverage while prioritizing the response to domestic and gender based-violence. Acknowledging the distinct challenges faced by municipalities across different regions in Albania, the suggested interventions should concentrate on the following municipalities: Municipality of Berat, Municipality of Kucova, Municipality of Polican, Municipality of Dimal, Municipality of Skrapar, Municipality of Shijak, Municipality of Has, Municipality of Fushë-Arrëz, Municipality of Malësi e Madhe, Municipality of Pukë, Municipality of Shkodër, Municipality of Vau i Dejës, Municiaplity of Divjake, Municipality of Patos and Municipality of Roskoves.

Eligibility Criteria

• This call is open to Albanian non-profit organizations with working experience in providing support services to DV and GBV victims and organizing awareness raising initiatives of marginalized communities on human rights, such as victims of gender-based and/or domestic violence, returnees from migration, Roma and Egyptian communities, members of LGBTI community, persons with disabilities, including youth and elderly. By organization it is understood a non-profit organization registered in Albania to provide legal and social services to the vulnerable individuals and groups, where a primary aim of these organizations is empowerment and the growth of self-advocacy of persons to realize their lawful interests by accessing basic services, including DV and GBV victims support services.
• The applicants should submit:
  • the court decision certifying the registration of the organization.
  • a valid tax registration (NIPT) certificate.
  • a bank account in Albanian Lekë (ALL) in the name of the organization.

For more information, visit UNDP.