Request for Application (RFA) No: HumAhang/Y1Q3/RFA-04 

Issuance Date: 10 May 2024

Queries/Question: Question and queries regarding RFA requirements should be submitted through email to [email protected], to HumAhang grant team, no later than close of business of 19th May 2024. Responses to all questions/queries will be replied on 20th May 2024. Questions beyond the deadline and any telephonic enquiries will not be entertained.

 Submission Closing Date and Time: 5:00 pm, 27 May 2024

 Period of Performance: Four Months

Language of Applications: Application packages must be submitted in English.

 A.   About CPDI

The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Pakistan (CPDI) is an independent, non-partisan and a not-for-profit civil society organization working on issues of peace and development in Pakistan. It was established in September 2003. CPDI is a first initiative of its kind in Pakistan that seeks to inform and influence public policies and civil society initiatives through research-based advocacy and capacity building to promote citizenship, build peace and achieve inclusive and sustainable development. Areas of special sectoral focus include promoting peace and tolerance, police reforms, right to information, strong local governments, climate change and mitigation, transparency in governance, democratic values, rule of law and accountable governance in the country. At present CPDI is executing a five-year, USAID-funded program locally titled ‘HumAhang (In Harmony).’

B.    About HumAhang

Citizen Engagement Program - HumAhang (In Harmony) directly responds to USAID’s objectives of strengthening the effectiveness of citizen-led interventions and improving government responsiveness to citizens’ concerns to advance peace and social cohesion. Based on CPDI analysis of social change, political economy considerations, adverse impacts of natural calamities like floods and conflict dynamics in South Punjab and North Sindh, the program pathways and interventions are focused on:

a)     Promotion of informed debates, dialogues, and discussions about disaster management and to counter narratives that cause intolerance in society, especially involving journalists, media houses and young men/ women from diverse urban/ rural communities.

b)    Enhancing quality of research, including about social trends, impact of recent floods on inter-communal relations, and conflicts, to inform policies and civil society engagement.

c)     Engaging legislatures and relevant executive bodies for effective policies, laws, and oversight for effective disaster management and to advance peace and social cohesion,

d)    Facilitating civil society/citizens’ engagement with journalists, legislatures, and government institutions to discuss challenges, and collectively find ways to address perception of alienation, discrimination, or exclusion.

e)     Extension of technical support for strengthening government policies and legislative procedures for sharing information, engaging citizens, receiving feedback and complaints, and to become more responsive to disasters and address issues those causes intolerance in society.

f)      Leveraging and building upon the existing resources within communities (e.g. local knowledge; individuals respected across communities) that could help in improving inter- community relations by managing/ resolving differences;

g)     Developing and promoting ideas and disseminating facts that help in more effective disaster management, strengthening counter narratives and mobilizing public support for peace and social cohesion. 

h)    Enabling young leaders to effectively engage authorities for promoting transparency and effectiveness of relief/ rehabilitation work in flood affected areas, especially for women and marginalized communities, and mitigating risks of alienation and social conflicts.

 C.   PROGRAM DESCRIPTION   

Interested organizations are required to develop grant application (Using the template provided as Annex -A) as complete proposal, for completing the scope of work, as given below.   

Scope 4:    Dialogues among key stakeholders

 Activity Title:  Dialogues among key stakeholders to set agenda for ‘local and district level government responsiveness’ on disaster mitigation, flood programing and peacebuilding.

 Rationale:  HumAhang conducted a rapid assessment in program target districts, and one key learning was that for effective promotion of peacebuilding and disaster response and management, community, and citizen groups such as community leaders, youth, women, religious leaders, and civil society organizations must engage with government institutions. However, there is a gap that needs to be filled with meaningful dialogue amongst these stakeholders that articulates and addresses the needs of local communities for social cohesion in South Punjab, while addressing the needs and vulnerabilities of communities in North Sindh regarding floods and climate change.

 Consequently, HumAhang plans to develop a common agenda for peacebuilding and disaster response, mitigation, and management, by holding a series of dialogues amongst stakeholders at the community, district, and regional levels. This common agenda, after discussions at the grassroots level, will be shared with provincial governments at a later stage.

 This intervention will take place in the districts of Multan, and Muzaffargarh in South Punjab, and Sukkur, Shikarpur, and Khairpur districts in Northern Sindh.

 Activities/Deliverables:  The recipient of the grant under this scope (the sub-grantee) is required to complete the following deliverables and has to design the full proposal using the provided template.       

 South Punjab:

1. Development of selection criteria for dialogue participants, including but not limited to community leaders and influentials, religious leaders, youth, women, persons with disabilities, civil society organizations.
2. Select and invite the participants as per criteria in consultation with HumAhang. 
3. Two Dialogues amongst selected participants from diverse communities, aimed at developing mutual understanding on the causes of extremism, radicalism, its effect on society, and preventive measures (100 individuals total, 50 individuals per activity – one dialogue per district)
4. One Dialogue amongst selected participants, to develop a common PVE agenda for engagement with local government institutions in South Punjab (50 individuals for this activity)
5. One dialogue conducted, engaging local government representatives and selected community participants (LG, District/Division Level), to share a common agenda for prevention of radicalism and extremism. (50 individuals for this activity)
6. Documentation and analyses of generated outcomes from four events in a qualitative report with a draft agenda (to be presented to the provincial government) set to improve government responsiveness.

 North Sindh:     

1. Development of selection criteria of dialogue participants, including but not limited to community leaders and influentials, religious leaders, youth, women, persons with disabilities, civil society organizations.
2. Select and invite the participants as per criteria in consultation with HumAhang.
3. One Dialogue conducted amongst selected participants to develop disaster mitigation agenda for engagement   with government institutions. (50 individuals for this activity)
4. One Dialogue amongst selected participants to share the developed agenda along with issues and challenges of DRR, with the authorities of local, district or divisional-level departments. (50 individuals for this activity)
5. Documentation of all the preceding two dialogues and analyze the generated information as a qualitative report with a list of issues, challenges, and demands of the DRR sector in North Sindh, to be shared with the provincial government for effective government response.

 Intermediate Results:

ü  Four dialogues conducted in South Punjab that improved mutual understanding on PVE and developed the common agenda.

ü  List of issues and demands from the community shared through a developed PVE common agenda with Southern Punjab local government.

ü  Two dialogues conducted in North Sindh resulted improved mutual understanding on DRR and developed a common agenda for government responsiveness.

ü  List of issues and demands from the community shared through a developed DRR common agenda with Northern Sindh local government.

Target Districts:

• Muzaffargarh, Multan in South Punjab
• Sukkur, Shikarpur, Khairpur in North Sindh.

 Target Groups:

• 200 local community / social leaders / government officials, in South Punjab, and relevant local government officials.
• 100 local community / social leaders / government officials, in North Sindh, and relevant local government officials.
• At least 35% of all participants need to be female.
• At least 5% of all participants need to be persons with disabilities.

The implementing partner will endeavor to ensure representation of all sects and religions within the activity.

 Duration:                Four months  

Budget ceiling:        PKR 4,050,000. 

D.   EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applications will be evaluated by the HumAhang Grant Review Committee (GRC), based on the following criteria.

Eligibility criteria:

The CSOs / NGOs, meeting following criteria are eligible to apply for the HumAhang grant.

• Organization registered under relevant law and working as CSO.
  • In operation for at least two years.
  • Must have presence in HumAhang program’s target districts.
  • Accounts with audit reports for last two years.
  • Existence and implementation of basic policies like HR, Procurement, financial management
  • Organizations working with gender equality and inclusive approach for vulnerable groups. 
  • Women-led organizations are encouraged to apply (not mandatory).

  Note 1: On a case-by-case bases, HumAhang will assess the organizational capacity prior to grant award, through due diligence / pre-award assessment.  

 Note 2: Prior to receiving a grant, successful applicants/organizations will sign the following certifications, as part of the grant award document.

1. Certification regarding debarment and suspension
2. Certificate regarding lobbying
3. Certification regarding terrorist financing
4. Certification on narcotics offenses and drug trafficking
5. Certification of compliance with Laws and The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
6. Certification of compliance with CPDI’s statement on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

F.    GENERAL CONDITIONS

• Gender and social inclusion: Grants will factor in social inclusion of different segments of the societies; comprising PWDs, ethnic minorities, transgender persons; ensuring one third participation of women in all grant activities and promoting principles of secure work environment for all genders and socially excluded groups.

• Exclusive cost/activities: The below activities, will not be entertained or approved if proposed by applicants:
  • To co-fund an activity / intervention, already supported through another fund.
  • Support to government offices / public institutions for the goods and services.
  • Capital expenditures include construction activities or buying property.
  • Activities related to lobbying on behalf of a particular political party.
  • Purchase of vehicles for project use.
  • Abroad trips and/or international air travel.
  • Major construction of infrastructure
  • Staff fringe benefits and management fees.
  • Organizational Learning/Capacity Building Outcome: Organizations must include a Learning/Capacity Building outcome(s) in the grant application, that focuses on their own performance improvement priorities. This outcome indicator will be measured as a key component of any award, and HumAhang may provide support (where relevant) for the organization to achieve this outcome.

• Authority / governing regulations:  HumAhang grants to non-U.S. organizations adhere to guidance provided under USAID’s Advanced Directive System (ADS), Chapter 303, “Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Non-Governmental Organizations,” and within the terms of the USAID Standard Provisions applicable to Non-U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations. These provisions can also be accessed through the USAID external website at https://www.usaid.gov/about-us/agency-policy/series-300/303.

• Please note that USAID may, at its sole discretion, supersede any decision, act or omission taken by HumAhang, with respect to any grant. Under the HumAhang program, USAID retains the right at all times to (i) dictate a different decision with respect to the award or administration of any grant; (ii) rectify an omission by HumAhang with respect to the award or administration of any grant; (iii) take over the administration of any grant awarded hereunder; and/or (iv) terminate, in whole or in part, HumAhang grant-making authorities.

• All grants will be negotiated, denominated, and funded in Pakistani rupees. Payments will be made on a reimbursement basis in tranches corresponding to achievement of milestones approved in the grant award. In exceptional cases, payment could be on a periodic liquidation basis, subject to decision by HumAhang based on applicant’s organizational capability to manage grant funds.

• All costs funded by the grant must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable in accordance with the terms of the grant, defined as follows:
  • Allowable: Shall mean those costs that conform to any limitations in the Grant.
  • Allocable: Shall mean those costs that are incurred specifically for achieving programmatic Grant Milestones.
  • Reasonable: Shall mean those costs which are generally recognized as ordinary and necessary and would be incurred by the Grantee in the conduct of normal business. 

• Only short-listed organizations whose grant application(s) will pass through the GRC review stage, will be contacted for a due diligence process for capacity assessment by the HumAhang. Based on the capacity needs of potential grantees, HumAhang will conduct relevant training and provide support to selected grantees.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

• CPDI is announcing multiple calls, in parallel during this grant cycle. CSOs/NGOs/interested organizations are allowed to apply for more than on call, with one grant application for each call. However, one organization will be considered for one grant award, only.  
• To develop the grant proposal, use the provided template and follow the word limit. The grant narrative application on given format shall not be more than fifteen pages and shall be annexed with the (i) item-wise budget, with notes (ii) milestone schedule, and (iii) work plan. Applications that are not submitted according to the formats requested and in accordance with the instruction in this RFA will be considered as non-responsive and will be disqualified.
• HumAhang is following USAID’s FAA (Fixed Amount Award) modality, so applicant organizations are required to submit the milestone schedule with cost of each milestone. To develop this matrix club/merge two-three activities to make one deliverable/milestone. The total cost of the milestone(s) schedule shall be equal to the total cost of the item-wise budget.
• CSOs/NGOs Organizations cannot sub-contract with other entities and cannot sublet any part of grant activities.