Request for Application (RFA)
USAID Civil Society and Media Activity
Technical Support for Government in Drafting Policies for Women, Youth, and Marginalized (WYM) Communities
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
This Request for Application (RFA) is to solicit applications from prospective grantees to support The Asia Foundation (hereafter referred to as the “Foundation”) in the implementation of the USAID Civil Society and Media (CSM), funded by USAID (Award # 72036722LA00001) through CSM-STAND.
The Civil Society and Media Program, funded by USAID through the Civil Society and Media – Standing Together and in New Directions (CSM-STAND) Leader with Associates Award, is led by The Asia Foundation in partnership with Pact. USAID-CSM is a five-year program (2022-2027) to support ongoing and emerging civic engagement in areas that advance the interests of sub-national communities, particularly those with a history of challenges in engaging women, youth, and marginalized sections of their populations. USAID CSM focuses on civic and media engagement related to good governance (accountability, transparency, participation, equity and inclusion); and access to and quality of education. Most activities focus on providing grants to those organizations and communities outside of Kathmandu in Lumbini and Madhesh Provinces, with some activities implemented in Kathmandu.
USAID CSM’s overarching goal is to support independent civil society and media led by and for women, youth and marginalized (WYM) communities to advance public interest, fundamental freedoms, and accountability. The program works to achieve this through mutually reinforcing activities under three inter-related objectives while contributing to USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS):
To foster an enabling environment for civic space where issues and interests of WYM communities are addressed.
Increase WYM's engagement in civic and public spaces and advance their interests through better access to resources, assets, and skills.
Improve availability of credible information and diverse narratives within media that better represent WYM issues and perspectives.
OBJECTIVE AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Women, youth, and marginalized communities (WYM) across Madhesh are disproportionately affected by the intersecting issues of gender inequality, disability, and social exclusion. Local and provincial governments lack comprehensive frameworks to effectively address these issues. Absence of specific policies tailored to these groups' experiences and vulnerabilities perpetuates disparities and injustices, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced policy formulation and implementation efforts.
In this context, this grant opportunity created by USAID CSM seeks to empower local organizations to collaborate with provincial/local government in developing inclusive policies that prioritize the rights and well-being of WYM communities, thereby bridging existing gaps and advancing the interest of WYM communities across Madhesh province.
Background
The Government of Nepal has already endorsed the national level GESI policy and requested provincial and local governments to formulate GEDSI policies in their respective areas targeting WYM communities and PWD citizens. Similarly, the provincial government of Lumbini province has already endorsed the GEDSI policy. Within this context, for promoting equal access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities and to address the specific needs and challenges faced by different groups within Madhesh USAID CSM planned to support the provincial and local government to formulate comprehensive GEDSI policy along with strategic and action plan at Madhesh Province.
USAID CSM conducted a scoping visit at some of the local level governments of Madhesh province and recognized the urgent need to address issues such as early child and forced marriage, dowery, high school dropout rate and other social evil practices. USAID CSM solicited this subaward to onboard a partner organization to formulate GEDSI policies including strategy and action plan at province level and will pilot at some of the rural municipalities and municipalities (i.e., Durgabhagwati Rural Municipality in Rauthat and Mathihani and Loharpati Municipality in Mahottari) at Madhesh Province.
Rationale
The absence of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) policies at the provincial and local levels has impeded the efforts of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to address the pressing issues effectively. Formulating GEDSI policies in Madhesh province is crucial for several reasons as Madhesh is a diverse province with a significant population of WYM communities. Without targeted policies, like GEDSI, these communities often face discrimination and exclusion from socio-economic opportunities. At the same time, formulation and endorsement of such policies would empower CSOs to enhance their effectiveness and streamline their operations in addressing these critical issues.
Objective
The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from prospective CSO/Institution,
To support provincial/local government to formulate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) policies along with strategy and plan of action at Madhesh province through technical inputs driven by evidence.
For Detailed RFA, Please Click Here
For Annex A- Scope of Work, Please Click Here
For Annex B- Cost Proposal Template, Please Click Here
