Request for Proposals: Low Value Grant (North Macedonia)

Deadline: 13-Oct-23

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with EU support has launched the project strengthen national and local systems to support the effective socio-economic integration of returnees in the Western Balkans that initially was developed to respond to the challenges of implementation of the strategies for migration and reintegration of returnees especially at local level.

The project is part of the IPA II Multi-Country Action Programme of the EU support to fundamental rights of Roma community, and reintegration of returnees, which has been entrusted to the WB, UNDP and the CoE. The Project aims to enhance the ability of Western Balkan authorities at central and local level to implement comprehensive models for reintegration of returnees. The project addresses the broader social inclusion agenda promoting the socio-economic well-being and tackling the root causes and negative drivers of migration of Roma and vulnerable populations.

Objectives

• The objective of this Request for Proposal is to identify an NGO provider to perform capacity building according to the methodology which will support capacity building of local NGOs in 3 targeted municipalities – Shtip, Suto Orizari and Prilep to provide services for labour market activation, employment and general socio-economic inclusion of the target group. Simultaneously, assistance will be provided to the trained personnel in local NGOs to achieve the set targets.
• Furthermore, the increased capacities of the NGOs will enable to become an effective partner of public service providers and local businesses.

Duration

• The duration of the assignment is envisaged to be within 08 months, starting from 15th of October 2023 to 14th of June 2024.

Activities

• To achieve the objective, the applicant is expected to include in their proposal the following activities:
  • Managing and coordination of the established core team in the NGO as provider;
  • Support of the local team through training, coaching, and mentoring of at least 2 representatives in the selected NGOs by conducting assessments according to the proposed methodology;
  • Dissemination of the methodology by conducting trainings to local staff over the course for provide support in activation of unemployed returnees into the labour market and their socio-economic inclusion;
  • Joint implementation of proposed methodology with NGOs at local level in 3 municipalities by:
    • couching of the established local staff;
    • Mentoring and providing support to the local staff on the field;
  • Connecting the economic component (labour market activation, employment and general socio-economic inclusion of the target gourp) with other aspects (psychosocial support, social cohesion, access to education, and documentation provision for returnees);
  • Monitoring and Evaluation of Activities;
  • Guidelines for establishing a network of consultants;
  • Recommendations for future implementation of the proposed methodology for Roma returnees, Roma people, and other marginalized individuals at the local level.

Project Indicators

• These activities will help out in achieving the following project indicators (targets):
  • Organization of work that includes:
    • Preparation of materials required for training and a list of logistical needs;
    • Preparation of an action plan for the implementation of activities by the NGO provider; and
    • Systematization and description of the positions of trained non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in accordance with the proposed methodology.At least 12 people assessed via interviews as potential local staff in all 3 municipalities.
    • At least 10 trainings with local staff conducted in all 3 municipalities as part of dissemination of the proposed methodology;
    • At least 18 couching sessions conducted in person and at least 30 couching sessions conducted online, including NGOs from all 3 municipalities;
    • At least 12 mentoring session to be carried out in all 3 municipalities as part of the mentoring phase;
    • Assistance and guidance in developing an implementation plan for the activities, with a plan for achieving the specified targets for each NGO individually and for the overall engagement of the NVO provider;
    • Creation of templates for monitoring and evaluating the activities; and
    • Creation of a report on future steps for the implementation of the methodology for utilizing the network of consultants and its application at the local level in other environments.

Criteria

• The criteria that entities with the submitted LVG proposals will be assessed against, are as following:
  • To be registered minimum 3 years.
  • At least 3 years of experience in provision of employment support activities and/or services leading to employability enhancement, labour market activation and labour market integration of unemployed persons.
  • At least 3 years of experience in providing counseling and mentoring support in order to provide capacity building of NGOs or other entities.
  • Organization capacities: management/coordination/implementation of project/component with a team of at least 4 members.

For more information, visit UNDP.