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                                                                         Call for Proposals for Grants

Grants for Promoting Electoral Awareness for Enhancing Participation of First-time voters, Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in the 2023 Elections

Deadline: 28th December 2022

The UNDP election project “Fostering Peaceful, Credible and Inclusive Elections in Sierra Leone 2022-2023” supports the election management bodies (EMBs) and various national institutions in the preparation for peaceful and credible 2023 elections and to expand the space for the greatest engagement of electoral stakeholders in the electoral process. It also focuses on supporting the programmes for raising electoral awareness and creating conditions for promoting information integrity in the electoral process.

Raising awareness of voters and national stakeholders about electoral procedures and equal participation in the electoral process is an essential aspect of elections' peaceful and inclusive conduct. It also has a significant impact on promoting informed participation of voters in the polls. In conformity with article 7 (1)(e) of the Public Election Act (2022) and the 2020 - 2024 electoral cycle strategic plan, the ECSL within its legal mandate intends to carry out an inclusive voter education campaign with a particular focus on promoting the participation of first-time voters, women and youth groups and persons with disabilities (PwD) in the 2023 electoral process. By decentralization of a voter education campaign and using traditional and social media outlets, the ECSL intends to engage district structures and various stakeholders to reach out a wide range of populations at regional, ward and village levels.

Women, PwD’s and youths face several challenges that hinder their participation in national, elections in the country. Women represent 12.3% of parliamentarians, 15% of officials in the local councils, 13% of Mayors and 13.7% of the total number of cabinet members appointed as of March 2021. PWDs were not nominated to parliament in previous elections. The National Electoral report indicated a lower number of women awarded symbols by major political parties - 8% by SLPP and 11% by the APC. This is an indication of the limited political will of Political Parties to advance the rights of women in electoral processes in Sierra Leone.

Equal representation and access to national governance platforms have been hampered by the structural and systemic gaps in the governance framework. The tradition and customs of Sierra Leone socialized women to be quiet in Public Spaces. This has impacted women’s confidence and agency in participating in Public Functions. The norms socializing women, PwDs and youths’ participation in the national elections limits their active participation. The value of their contributions to national platforms and electoral processes hampers the actualization of their fundamental human rights.

To address this, the Parliament of Sierra Leone amended the Public Elections Act to enhance PwD’s and women’s participation. This has contributed to a change in the political landscape of the country’s upcoming elections and a greater need for a clear public understanding of the regulations governing the electoral processes for the 2023 elections. To create the enabling environment for the participation of first-time voters, women, youth and PwD’s, the project will also contribute to transforming norms and practices that impede first-time voters, women, PwD’s and youth participation in the 2023 elections in Sierra Leone.

Considering the above, the ECSL and the UNDP election project in partnership with the Irish Aid and the EU are seeking the services of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to assist the Electoral Commission in promoting awareness of first-time voters, women and youth groups and persons with disabilities on the new electoral system, the rights, and responsibilities of voters in the electoral process and electoral procedures.

Who Can Apply

• A suitable non-profit organization (CSO/NGO with operational experience and expertise in conducting civic and voter education and gender equality programmes will support the ECSL in the implementation of the voter awareness and voter equality campaign and mobilize action for protecting women, PWD’s from violence, during and after elections.

  Those wishing to apply for the proposal must submit:

• Signed project proposal
• Organization background, implementation strategy and partnership with other non-governmental organizations in the implementation of the project
• Workplan describing CSO activities per district and performance targets
• Detailed project budget
• CVs of all project staff who will be dedicated to the proposed assignment
• Audited financial statements for the past two years, including the management report
• Evidence of similar work that has been carried out and their impact.

CSOs can apply per Lot below but not more than two Lots. Funding sealing per Lot is USD 100,000.

LOT 1 - Western area (Urban and Rural) – Waterloo, Freetown.

LOT 2 - Southern Region districts – Bonthe, Pujehun, Moyamba, Bo.

LOT 3 - Northwest region districts – Kambia, Karene, Portloko

LOT 4 - Eastern region districts – Kono, Kenema, Kailahun

LOT 5 - Northern Region districts – Falaba, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, Bombali

Selected CSOs will be hired for a period of four months. The first phase campaign will be implemented from April to June 2023 and the second phase will be held for a possible presidential run-off election (one month).

The ECSL will provide training for all selected CSOs after hiring which will ensure the use of effective communication methods in their engagement with the public through open-air, face-to-face meetings with religious and traditional leaders, music events, theatre, radio, and TV programmes etc

Once the application is complete and submitted, revised versions of proposals will not be accepted.

The deadline for applications is 2:00pm on Wednesday, 28th December 2022. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Grant Proposals  Submissions are to made electronically in one file (pdf format) signed and scanned to the following email: procure.sl@undp.org. Hard copies may be submitted to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at UNDP Reception Area, Fourah Bay Close, Off Main Motor Road, Wilberforce, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS THROUGH vendors.sle@undp.org