Support to Democratic Governance in Armenia
Component 2 – Support the civil society capacity development
Activity 2.1 Strengthening Support Structures
Terms of Reference
for
Civil Society Capacity Development Working Group
Purpose
The European Commission’s Support for Democratic Governance in Armenia project is seeking to
establish a civil society capacity development working group including CSOs and Civil society actors
that have a catalyst and multiplier capacity and will take the engagement and with the support of
Technical Assistance Team (TAT) will lead, carry out and ensure the expected results of capacity
development of civil society actors in Armenia in the framework of this project, mainly of its component
2.
Background
The overall objective of the SDGA project is to foster the process of bringing Armenia closer to the
European Union and strengthening democracy and good governance through support to democratic
institutions, civil society and increasing awareness of the Armenian population on the process of EUArmenia relations. The project is implemented by the British Council in cooperation with its
implementing partners CDPF, Grant Thornton and Thomson Foundation. Duration is 18 months from
March 2014 to September 2015.
Objectives
The activity will be implemented under Component 2: Support capacity development of civil society.
It aims to strengthen the capacity of Armenia’s civil society both at national and regional levels,
to become more engaged in the public policy reform processes, mainly with regard to the
establishment, implementation and monitoring of regulatory reforms aiming
CDPF at enhancing the
sustainability of civil society organizations. Furthermore the project aims at empowering and
A project implemented
enhancing
both capacities
andisinfluence/authority
of civil
society organizations and groups to be
Implementing
This project
funded
by the British Council
partners
by the European Union
better involved in active citizenship, in constituency building and public agenda setting and to
European Commission is the EU’s executive body.
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Civic Development & Partnership Foundation
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Yerevan 0070, RA
Tel: +374 10 552945 ext. 5117
Fax: +374 10 552975
E- mail: info@sdga.am
www.sdga.am
the European Union to Armenia
21 Frik Street
Yerevan 002, RA
Tel: +37410 546494
Fax: +37410 546495
“The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to
gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a
period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and
sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and
individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements
and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders”.
It aims to strengthen the capacity of Armenia’s civil society both at national and regional
levels, to become more engaged in the public policy reform processes, mainly with regard
to the establishment, implementation and monitoring of regulatory reforms aiming at
enhancing the sustainability of civil society organizations. Furthermore the project aims at
empowering and enhancing both capacities and influence/authority of civil society
organizations and groups to be better involved in active citizenship, in constituency building
and public agenda setting and to carry out social entrepreneurship and social marketing
activities.
Expected main results/outcome
Armenia’s civil society at individual, institutional, cultural (mindset/enabling environment)
levels will have
-
Improved capacities in terms of knowledge, resources, self-regulation
Enhanced authority/influence
to play its key role through active citizenship by mobilizing communities and societal groups
towards building a democratic and rights based State and in making Government (local and
national) transparent, accountable towards servicing public good and interest.
Scope of work
Main inputs/activities
The activities identified for this project aim to address needs within the civil society sector
and are based on an analysis of existing data and consultations with civil society
organizations and actors, government and teams working on complementary projects in civil
society and state building. The main activities provided for CSOs and civil society actors
under the auspices of their project are:
- identifying and set up a working mechanism of CSOs and CS groups that have a catalyst
and multiplier capacity and will take the engagement with the support of Senior Civil Society
Expert (KE2) to ensure the expected results of this component and will lead and carry out
the capacity development work in the framework of the project, mainly component 2.
- Developing, disseminating and endorsing a Code of Democratic Good Governance Practice
for CSO and CS groups, and coalitions and measuring its relevance to the sector.
- Designing, delivering and evaluating of a modular course for CSO, CS groups and coalitions
to be better involved in active citizenship, in constituency building and public agenda setting
and to carry out social marketing activities.
- Be involved and engaged in helping to provide information/ guidance to the civil society on
the process of policy and law making, particularly the potential new reform process regarding
civil society and NGOs in Armenia. Disseminate information and work together to provide
advice to CSOs and civil society actors to be engaged effectively in formation,
implementation and monitoring of this reform process.
The main mission and responsibilities of the identified CSO, CS groups
-
The selected CSO, CS groups and/or coalitions will be responsible with the support of
Technical Assistance Team, mainly of Senior Civil Society Expert (KE 2) to ensure the
expected results of the component 2 of this project and will lead and carry out the
capacity development comprehensive work in the framework of the project’s
-
-
-
component 2. Furthermore they take the engagement to act as a catalyst and
multiplier at CS capacity development work during and after the project duration.
Set up an effective operational working mechanism agreed among selected CS
entities together with Senior Civil Society Expert (KE2)
Make a brief capacity and authority gap analysis of civil society and its entities based
on the main findings of the recent assessment/mapping reports including SDGA
project’s Inception phase “Summary Capacity Challenges”.
Ensure the consultation of large number of CS entities in this work through a
participative and democratic process in order to achieve a common understanding of
the CS capacity development and the practices related to it.
Based on gap analysis and review of CS CD good practices set and agree on CD
priorities of the SDGA project and the strategies, principles and ways to achieve it.
Draft and agree on the Strategy and Work plan for cooperation in delivery of the CS
CD inputs/activities.
Establish and maintain an effective monitoring and evaluation system to track the
capacity changes throughout the implementation
Ensure wide dissemination and ownership of large number of CS entities of provided
CS CD work
Ensure the sustainability of the CS capacity development strategy and work after the
end of SDGA project, mechanisms and engagements.
Timeline
Starting from mid June 2014 throughout the project implementation until July 2015.
Required qualification and competencies of CSOs, CS actors to be selected
Qualifications at individual and institutional levels:
-
Proven track record of active citizenship both at capacity and authority levels
Proven track record of engagement towards public interest, public good
Proved track record of providing support for democratic and rights based State and
civil society building, mission and role of democratic civil society and actors
Proven track record of understanding Armenia’s Societal issues, state building and
civil society building challenges
Proven track record of understanding and engaging with international cooperation
agendas in development and human rights
Proven track record of active and effective outcomes at addressing societal issues
through their social mission and their work
Proven track record of mobilizing communities and societal groups
Proven track record in researching, designing and facilitating initiatives
Proved track record of civil society capacity development strategic and operational
work
Proven track record of civil society capacity development monitoring and evaluation
Knowledge and experience in public policy, constituency building and active
citizenship building
Knowledge and experience in volunteer work, networking, coalition building
Knowledge of “Istanbul principles” and record of its application at CSO level.
Competencies at individual and institutional levels:
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Democratic culture and open minded
Respect of diversity, equality
Participatory and dialogue, consensus building
Responsible and committed
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Prevail collective and public interest
Principled
Prevail cooperation and solidarity rather than competition
Selections process and procedures
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Open call 30.05.2014
Expression of interest by provision of 2-3 pages (max) application paper on CS
entity and the proposed person that respond to the above mentioned qualifications
and competencies 30.05.14-10.06.14. To be sent to info@sdga.am , mentioning in
the email “ subject”: Application for CS Working Group
Present the paper during a dialogue/meeting with Senior Civil Society Expert (KE2) :
04-16 June 2014
Selection process completed and CS entities selected and cooperation mutually
agreed between SDGA and the CS entity by 19.06.14
Engagement and cooperation framework with TAT
-
-
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Selected CS entities take the responsibility and engagement to cooperate with Senior
Civil Society Expert (KE2) and the Technical Assistance Team in a systematic and
regular work bases without financial support expectations.
There will not be a financial support to the selected CSOs and CS actors however the
CS working group members at individual and at their CS entity levels will benefit from
their engagement in this process by enhancing their own knowledge, expertise,
agenda setting on capacity development for civil society. Possible specific benefits to
them: enhancing knowledge and expertise in all sectors of capacity development of
CSOs and actors; take ownership and legacy of process and outputs; take part in
visibility events; broaden their network, will improve their own work and
influence/authority etc.
A memorandum of understanding will be signed between the selected CSOs and
SDGA. TAT as well as a cooperation agreement between the selected CS entities.