| Overview : Call for Proposals Grant to CSOs for the implementation of Project Activities on Women’s Participation in Politics in Nigeria Project Description Democratic elections remain a crucial element in providing the best possible opportunity to ensure women’s voices are heard, their concerns addressed and their contribution to democracy maximized. The United Nations (UN) System in Nigeria stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life and supports the formulation and implementation of policies, global standards and norms at both regional and national levels that enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment, an effort aimed at strategic entry points that can advance the status of women by catalyzing wide-ranging, long-term impacts. These multi-pronged approaches must come together to shatter the ‘glass ceiling’ that has historically formed a barrier to women’s rise to leadership in public life and in politics. The principle of women’s participation and inclusion in leadership and elective politics is anchored in a robust legal and normative framework at national, regional and international level. Nigeria is under a legal obligation to uphold these principles. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Beijing Platform for Action (1995), the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol, 2003), the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004), the African Union Gender Policy are among instruments that underscore Nigeria’s commitment towards gender equity and equality in representation of women and men. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s adoption of the National Policy of 35% Affirmative Action for women is one of the several efforts made to empower the women in politics in line with Beijing Declaration of 1995. The Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal Number 5 is a call to gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. Even the constitutional guaranteed rights to participate in active politics and governance by virtue of Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which states that: “A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person be subjected to any form of discrimination”. Key to achieving this is to promote women’s political participation and leadership throughout the pre-election, and election phase and support to more women to get on ballots, attain political office and go to polls to vote. In an effort to empower Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and to enhance their capacity in the provision of these services, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in Nigeria announces a call for grant applications for the implementation of women participation in politics in Nigeria. This call for grant application is being advertised under the Norwegian Funded Project ‘Support to women participation in Politics”. The project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The objectives of the project are: - To provide effective support to women, provide a platform to amplify the voice of women participation in politics,
- Develop action plan and communication/publicity approach which will include but not limited to effective Radio/TV broadcast and any other contextual strategic modality;
- Contributing to women involvement through continuous voters’ registration (CVR) and Voter Education particularly on voting processes in specific targeted states from each geopolitical region (Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Benue, Katsina, Borno, Adamawa and Plateau State) nine States in total.
With this call, a Grant Award Committee (GAC) will be constituted to lead a process of issuing grants not more than US$10,000 (equivalent in Naira) per CSO for activities in respect of women participation in politics project, for a period starting November 30th – December 29th, 2018. The Grant Award Committee (GAC) seeks to competitively select qualified NGOs, CSOs that will receive grants from the above mentioned project to organize, coordinate and carry out activities outlined below: - Mobilization and sensitization of women to vote for women candidates in the general election. The goal should be to amplify women’s voice and implant women not only in appointive but also in elective position in order to have a greater impact.
- Extensive capacity building (knowledge management and replication) for CSOs and citizens on issues bordering women in politics.
- Promote the development of watch-dog CSOs, which will monitor party primaries, document/publicize instances of disenfranchisement of women contestants and make recommendations for the improvement of the system.
- Increase public awareness and interest in addressing the challenges of women participation in politics
- Increase capacity of civil society networks to engage government and political parties (especially party primaries) on the need for increase women participation in politics.
- Develop advocacy campaigns on women participation in politics across party line.
The selected Organizations shall be required to carry out the specified project activities within Nigeria, specifically in Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Benue, Katsina, Borno, Adamawa and Plateau State. Eligibility Criteria: Organizations eligible to receive funding through this Call for Proposal must meet all the eligibility criteria in addition to the specific criteria for grant. Organization’s Eligibility Criteria for application The Organizations that are eligible to submit proposals for grants should meet the following criteria: - Demonstrated commitment to engaging stakeholders across board in Nigeria.
- Be a not-for-profit organization with mandate on gender equality and non-discrimination.
- Should be registered by relevant bodies (CAC, etc.) and operating in Nigeria.
- Should have proven relevant experience specifically on capacity building on gender advocacy and partnership with UNDP.
Eligibility of Proposals The following benchmarks will be used as the basis for evaluation of grant proposals by the Grant Award Committee: - Evidence of established management structure i.e. Management Board responsible for making decisions for the Organizations.
- Certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
- Evidence of an operational Office in the geographical area it is submitting the proposal on.
- Corporate Bank Account(s) managed by a minimum of three signatories.
- Demonstrable technical capacity, including previous experiences of similar work; training resources and other relevant information.
- Innovative and creative proposal with clear strategies aimed at increasing and enhancing the quality of civic engagement on anti-corruption issues, policy advocacy, capacity building, etc.
- Realistic budget that matches the proposal.
- Language capacity to understand the governance process and conceptualize clearly.
- Administrative Cost must not exceed 10% of the total budget.
Three copies of Call for Proposal with relevant attachments prepared according to this Call for Proposal must be sent to e-mail cso.ng@undp.org Deadline for submission of concept note is Friday 23rd November, 2018 by 17.00CAT. |
