Citizens’ Voice Project
Request for Applications (RFA)
Cycle-2
1
Table of Contents
Section – A: Instructions for application format....................................................................................... 3
I.
Partner Eligibility Criteria................................................................................................................... 3
II.
Preparation and Submission Guidelines............................................................................................ 3
III. Financial Allocation............................................................................................................................ 4
IV. Award Information ............................................................................................................................ 4
V.
Technical Application Format ............................................................................................................ 5
VI. Gender ............................................................................................................................................... 8
VII. Environmental Protection and Compliance ...................................................................................... 9
VIII. Cost Share .......................................................................................................................................... 9
IX. Cost/Business Application Format..................................................................................................... 9
X.
Award of grant ................................................................................................................................. 12
Section – B: Selection Criteria ................................................................................................................. 14
I.
Technical Evaluation Criteria ........................................................................................................... 14
II.
Budget Evaluation............................................................................................................................ 15
III. Best Value Decision ......................................................................................................................... 16
IV. Branding Strategy and Marking Plan ............................................................................................... 16
Section – C: Program Summary/ Program Description........................................................................... 17
Thematic Area # 1: Citizens’ Voice for Effective Legislative Governance ............................................... 18
Thematic Area # 2: Advocacy for Strengthening Legal Framework for NPOs ........................................ 22
Thematic Area # 3: Citizens’ Voice and Public Accountability in Tax Collection Sector ......................... 25
Thematic Area # 4: Education Sector Reforms ....................................................................................... 29
Section – D: Annexes – separately available on project website ........................................................... 34
2
Section – A: Instructions for application format
I. Partner Eligibility Criteria
Pakistani NGOs, CBOs, civil society organizations, educational institutes and
other not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Private sector
organizations are also welcome to apply for grants but fees will not be paid
under these awards. Government of Pakistan or quasi-public/parastatal entities
will normally be considered for awards only when working in partnership with
NGOs. Individuals, political parties, foreign-based organizations, faith-based
organizations whose objectives are discriminatory and/or serve religious
purposes, and informal alliances without legal status are ineligible.
II. Preparation and Submission Guidelines
The TDEA grant process is web-enabled, allowing for applications to be
submitted on-line. Instructions to submit applications electronically on-line in
response to this RFA are found on the project website at http://cvpatdea.org/grants.
If your organization decides to submit an application, it must be received by the
closing date and time indicated at the top of the cover letter. The applicant must
provide all required information in its application, including the requirements
found in any attachments to this RFA. Applicants should retain for their records
one copy of all enclosures which accompany their applications.
To be eligible for award, the application should be prepared according to the
structural format set forth below in (2) Technical Application Format and (3)
Cost/Business Application Format. Applications which are received late or are
incomplete run the risk of not being considered in the review process. Late
applications will be considered for award only if the Grants Management
Committee determines it is in the project‘s interest.
TDEA will consider only applications conforming to the format prescribed below.
All applications received by the closing date and time indicated on the cover
letter will be reviewed for responsiveness and programmatic merit in accordance
with the specifications outlined in these guidelines and the application format.
Section B addresses the selection criteria and procedures for the applications. As
part of the application, applicants shall acknowledge receipt of any amendments
to this RFA.
3
In the event this solicitation is cancelled and RFA is withdrawn, a notice will be
published on the project website as TDEA will not be able to inform each
applicant individually. Therefore, interested applicants are strongly
recommended to keep visiting TDEA website for any updates.
III. Financial Allocation
The total and indicative financial allocation for each thematic area is
provided in Section – C. Normally, TDEA grant awards will fall into three
distinct tiers:
1) Under the local currency equivalent of $100,000;
2) The local currency equivalent of $100,000 to the local currency equivalent of
$250,000; and
3) Over the local currency equivalent of $250,000.
Tier 1 awards are expected to be most frequent, and the approval process for
such awards will be streamlined and kept as simple as possible. Tier 2 subsubawards over $100,000 but under $250,000 will be less common and will
entail a greater degree of scrutiny and implementation oversight. Tier 3 subgrant awards over $250,000 will be approved by USAID in exceptional
circumstances to organizations with demonstrated capacity.
IV. Award Information
Award and disbursement of grants for this cycle will be managed by the Asia
Foundation while TDEA and GT-AASR will cover the areas of M&E and Pre/Post
award Compliance respectively.
Grants will be awarded depending on the proposed programmatic model. The
available modalities as per TDEA Subawards Manual and in line with USAID ADS
303 are:
1. Fixed Obligation subawards; and
2. Simplified subawards
Special and General Terms and Conditions will be communicated to the
successful applicants. These are usually based on the Standard Provisions for
Non-US NGOs available at http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/303mab.pdf.
For US based organizations, relevant standard provisions, requirements of CFR,
OMB circulars and ADS would apply.
4
Tenure of grants will be based on reasonable timeframe for achievement of
proposed objectives and all grants are required to be closed before the end of
Citizens’ Voice project. The respective ceiling for time period of grants under this
RFA is provided in Section – C. Please refer to Section – C for specified
duration of grants in each thematic area.
V. Technical Application Format
Technical applications shall be written in English language, must not exceed 15
pages, utilizing Times New Roman 12-font size, single spaced, typed in standard
8 ½x11 paper size, justified text, with one-inch margins top and bottom as well
as right and left, and each page numbered consecutively (page numbers placed
in footer of the document). Cover letter, dividers, table of contents, annexes
(e.g performance monitoring and evaluation plan, personnel resumes, past
performance information, certificates, forms, acronym list etc.) will not count
toward the page limitation. Any pages that exceed the page limitation will not be
furnished to the Evaluation Committee. There is no page limit on attachments or
cost application.
The technical application will have more significant importance than cost
application in the selection of a successful applicant. It should demonstrate the
applicant's capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this
project. Therefore it should be specific, complete and presented concisely. It
should take into account and be arranged in the order of the technical evaluation
criteria specified in Section – B.
The suggested outline for the technical application is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Cover Page
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Technical Approach
Management Plan
Institutional Capacity
Past Performance
Draft Project Monitoring & Evaluation Plan
Besides the details below, “help text” has also been provided in the grant
application template to convey TDEA’s expectations from the applicants in each
area.
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a) Cover Page
A single page with the project title and RFA number, the names of the
organizations/institutions involved, and the lead or primary Applicant clearly
identified. Any proposed sub grantees (or implementing partners) should be
listed separately. In addition, the Cover Page should provide a contact person
for the prime Applicant, including this individual’s name (both typed and his/her
signature), title or position with the organization/institution, postal/ office
address, landline and mobile telephone, fax numbers and e-mail address. State
whether the contact person is the person with authority to contract for the
Applicant, and if not, that person should also be listed with contact information.
It should also list type of lead organization (NGO/CBO/Private Sector/ Other –
specify), law/regulation under which it is registered with Government of
Pakistan, date of such registration and corporate website, if any. Detail of
primary bank account with account number, bank and branch will also be
required to establish banking experience. Attach copies of certificates and
reference letters as annexes.
Title of proposed activity, duration, geographical coverage (province, district,
tehsil and union councils) and relevant thematic area must also be listed on the
cover page.
TDEA will contact only shortlisted applicants separately for provision of
DUNS number at a later date. A subaward cannot be made without this
number. Please refer to guidelines for obtaining DUNS number attached with
this RFA.
b) Table of Contents
List all parts of the technical application, with page numbers and attachments.
This will also serve as a checklist to ensure that all relevant documents have
been included with the application.
c) Executive Summary
Include a one-page executive summary that provides a clear overview of the
results to be achieved and a brief summary of applicant’s experience in
implementing activities like those described on the program summary/ program
description in Section – C.
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d) Technical Approach
The technical approach must demonstrate an in depth understanding of the
development challenges in implementing the program, as described in Section –
C. The approach should outline specific activities and explain how and at what
pace they are intended to achieve the program’s objectives. Applicants are
encouraged to propose innovative yet realistic approaches that are appropriate
in the context of Pakistan.
The applicants shall also submit a brief on “Post-Project Management and
Sustainability of the Project Benefits”. Explaining how the applicant plans to
ensure that the project interventions and benefits will sustain after the
completion of project. What measures the applicant will take in the post-project
period to monitor project interventions and to provide assistance to the project
beneficiaries. Also indicating recurring cost, if any, needed to manage postproject operations and how this cost will be managed by applicant organization.
e) Management Plan
Applicants should propose a management plan and describe how the plan will
contribute towards achieving the objectives and results described in the program
summary/ program description. The proposed plan should specifically state and
justify the composition and organizational structure of the entire project team. It
should also describe how the technical expertise and experience of all staff
members will achieve the expected results in the program summary/ program
description. Potential partners in the implementation of the award and the
services to be provided by each partner institution or organization shall be
described.
f) Institutional Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate technical and managerial expertise that would
directly benefit implementation and include the following:
1) Brief description of organizational history/expertise;
2) Relevant experience with proposed approaches;
3) Institutional strength as represented by personnel experience in managing
successful programs of similar scope and complexity; and,
4) Partner capabilities and expertise
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g) Past Performance
Applicants must provide evidence of pertinent past performance and clearly
describe examples of successful development and implementation of programs
similar what is required under this RFA.
Applicants may attach as an Annex a summary of the five most recent donorfunded contracts or grants as well as the name, address, email address and
telephone number of the Project Officer, activity manager or other contact
persons. Include the following for each award:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Name and address of awarding organization or agency;
Amount of award;
Term of award (begin and end dates of services/program);
Contact information of responsible technical representative of funding
organization or agency; and,
5) Brief description of the program.
h) Draft Project Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
Applicants shall submit a draft Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
(PMEP). The PMEP must explain how the applicant proposes to monitor the
project performance and measure indicators and impact. The PMEP must include
results, indicators, targets, consisting of data sources, frequency of data
collection, collection methods, data verification, and responsible parties of data
collection, baseline information, and benchmarks. The applicant must discuss
the ways in which the collection, analysis and reporting of performance data will
be managed under the project. All data collected must be disaggregated. It is
the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all costs, if any, related to the
implementation of the PMEP are included in the cost proposal.
As an annex to this section, applicants shall also submit a brief on
“cross cutting issues like Gender and Environmental Protection”
elaborating on how the proposed project addresses these concerns.
VI. Gender
Given the critical role of women in development, it is essential that institutions
competing for an award demonstrate knowledge and capacity to address
gender-based constraints. Based on the different needs and roles of men and
women, strategies for addressing these needs and for ensuring women’s full
8
participation in all proposed activities must be part of the methodology/proposed
approach. In addition to explicitly addressing women’s needs and participation,
the proposed methodology/approach shall also address: (a) how will gender
relations affect the achievement of sustainable results; and (b) how will
proposed activities affect the relative status of men and women. Furthermore,
the program strategy shall demonstrate how activities will be monitored, tracked
and evaluated to measure the impact on women and on gender relations. All
people-level results and indicators must be gender disaggregated.
VII.
Environmental Protection and Compliance
TDEA requires an evaluation to ensure that any environmental impacts resulting
from the project implementation are mitigated. Filling of the Initial
Environmental Examination (IEE) checklist available in Section - D, provides a
system to the applicant to ensures that environmental (i.e., natural resource or
public health) impacts of program activities are identified and mitigation
measures are proposed at the design stage, prior to the irreversible obligation of
TDEA funds. Subsequently, over the tenure of grant, these environmental
mitigation measures are to be a standard component of program management.
VIII. Cost Share
Although there is no requirement that applicants propose a specific cost share,
cost sharing is an important element of the TDEA-recipient relationship and
applicants are encouraged to contribute resources from its own, private or local
sources for the implementation of this program. Contributions can be either cash
or in kind.
IX. Cost/Business Application Format
The Cost/Business Application is to be submitted under separate cover from the
technical application. The cost application will not be scored for short-listing.
TDEA will assess the general reasonableness, cost realism, arithmetical
accuracy, allowability and allocability according to applicable regulations and
conformity with the proposed program design. However, the applicants must
ensure that they remain within the funding allocation for a subaward as provided
in the Section – C. Any applications over and above the funding allocation might
attract risk of getting lower priority if there are other competitive applications
with similar technical score.
The following sections describe the documentation that applicants for a grant
must submit to TDEA prior to award. A basic template for the budget has
been attached as an annex to this RFA whereas the supporting
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information which is not included in that template will be separately
required. While there is no page limit for the cost application, applicants are
encouraged to be as concise as possible, but still provide the necessary detail to
address the following:
1) Budget: which provides in detail the total estimated amounts for
implementation of the project your organization is proposing.
2) Budget narrative: that provides detailed budget explanations and supporting
justification of each proposed budget line items. It must clearly identify the
basis of cost elements, such as market surveys, price quotations, current
salaries, historical experience, etc.
3) Additional information required under this RFA.
The program budget should be in Pakistani Rupees containing the following
categories:
a. Direct Labor - Direct salaries, wages and benefits. Provide annual salary
history for at least the three most recent years for all identified and proposed
long-/short-term key and non-key personnel.
b. Supplies and Equipment - Differentiate between expendable supplies and
nonexpendable equipment.
c. Travel and Per Diem - Proposed per diem must be in accordance with the
Applicant’s established policies and practices.
d. Other Direct Costs - This could include miscellaneous costs such as
communications, utilities, report preparation costs, etc.
e. Proposed (Sub)agreements - Applicants who intend to utilize sub recipients
should indicate the extent intended and a complete cost breakdown.
f. Cost-Share - If cost share is proposed, applicants should estimate the
amount of cost-sharing resources to be mobilized over the life of the
Agreement.
Additional supporting information required:
i. Accounting and internal control system information:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Fiscal Year End
Accounting System in Place
Computerized Accounting system
Accounts ever audited? (If yes, please attach reports of last
three years)
Ever had USAID audit/ Audit under FRCA guidelines or A133 as applicable. (If yes, please attach latest available
report)
Program funded by some other grant also
Organization chart attached (attached brief CV of key full
time personnel)
Program activities less than one year.
 Yes
 Yes
 No
 No
 Yes
 No
 Yes
 No
 Yes
 No
 Yes
 No
 Yes
 No
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b) What kind of projects have you implemented during the last three years?
Donor/Funding
Project
Source
Services
Provided
Total
Budget
(Rs.)
Project
Year
c) What are the major funding sources of applicant organization? This
information is required to determine whether the applicant has received or is
receiving US Government funding and whether there are any associated audit
requirements?
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
d) Month wise Allocation of Funds (that will be requested from TDEA)
Please provide monthly bifurcation of the funds requested from TDEA. This must
be consistent with the Activity/Implementation Plan. Add as many columns as
needed in line with project duration or use a spread sheet separately. This
information is critical to manage cash flows at TDEA.
Activity/
Deliverable
Units
Total
Required
Funds
Month wise Bifurcation of the Budget
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Total
e) Please note that it is in the interest of the applicants to submit any additional
evidence of responsibility deemed necessary for TDEA to make a determination
of responsibility. The information submitted should substantiate that the
applicant:
11
一 Has adequate financial, management and personnel resources and systems,
or the ability to obtain such resources as required during the performance of the
award;
一 Has the ability to comply with the award conditions, taking into account all
existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant,
nongovernmental and governmental;
一 Has a satisfactory record of performance. Past relevant unsatisfactory
performance is ordinarily sufficient to justify a finding of non-responsibility,
unless there is clear evidence of subsequent satisfactory performance; and
一 Has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics.
An award shall be made only when TDEA makes a positive determination that
the applicant possesses, or has the ability to obtain, the necessary management
competence in planning and carrying out assistance programs and that it will
practice mutually agreed upon methods of accountability for funds and other
assets provided by TDEA. For the organizations that are new to USAID, or
organizations with outstanding audit findings, it may be necessary to perform a
pre-award survey.
X. Award of grant
TDEA may award a grant resulting from this RFA to the responsible applicant(s)
whose application(s) conforming to this RFA offers the greatest value (see
Section B of this RFA). TDEA may (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept
other than the lowest cost application, (c) accept more than one application, (d)
accept alternate applications, and (e) waive informalities and minor irregularities
in applications received.
TDEA may award a grant on the basis of initial applications received, without
discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the
applicant's best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. As part of its
evaluation process, however, TDEA may elect to discuss technical, cost or other
pre-award issues with one or more applicants. Alternatively, TDEA may proceed
with award selection based on its evaluation of initial applications received
and/or commence negotiations solely with one applicant.
Awards will be made to responsible applicants whose applications offer the
greatest value, technical, cost and other factors considered. Applicants are
specifically advised that the Asia Foundation will be awarding grant agreements
12
and disbursing grants under the Citizens’ Voice Program and until an executed
document is received and duly signed by the Country Representative of the Asia
Foundation, no project expenditures will be paid by TDEA.
In the event of an inconsistency between the documents comprising this RFA, it
shall be resolved by the following descending order of precedence:
(a) Section B - Selection Criteria;
(b) Section A – Instructions for Application Format;
(c) Section C - The Program Summary/ Program Description;
(d) Cover Letter.
A written award mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful applicant(s)
within the time for acceptance specified either in the application(s) or in this RFA
(whichever is later) shall result in a binding agreement without further action by
either party. Before the application's specified expiration time, if any, TDEA may
accept an application, whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt,
unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. Negotiations or
discussions conducted after receipt of an application do not constitute a rejection
or counteroffer by TDEA. Since the funding allocation is limited and defined,
TDEA may only award to the applicants deemed as “the best” for the program
objectives while not awarding a grant to any otherwise qualified applications.
(End of Section – A)
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Section – B: Selection Criteria
The technical applications will be evaluated in accordance with the Technical
Evaluation Criteria set forth below. Applicants shall organize the narrative sections
of their technical applications in the same order as the selection criteria. Technical
evaluation of applications will be based on the extent and appropriateness of
proposed approaches and feasibility of achieving the strategic objectives, in
accordance with the following criteria.
If award is not made on the initial applications, TDEA may request clarification and
supplemental materials from applicants whose applications have a reasonable
chance of being selected for award. The entry into discussion is to be viewed as
part of the evaluation process and shall not be deemed by TDEA or the applicants
as indicative of a decision or commitment upon the part of TDEA to make an award
to the applicants with whom discussions are being held.
I. Technical Evaluation Criteria
A Technical Review Panel designated by the project will review the grant
applications. This panel will form a short list and provide its recommendations to
the Grants Management Committee, using the criteria shown in this Section. The
criteria set forth will serve as the basis for evaluating the technical Applications.
Grants Management Committee will review the short list and forward their
recommendations to the Project Steering Committee which will vet the selection
and finally, USAID will approve the selection. The various functional elements of
the technical criteria are assigned weighted scores, so that the Applicants will
know which areas require emphasis in the preparation of Applications. Where
technical Applications are considered essentially equal, cost may be determining
factor.
Applicants should note that these criteria:
(1) Serve as the standard against which all Applications will be evaluated; and
(2) Serve to identify the significant matters which Applicants should address in
their Applications.
The relative importance of each criterion is indicated by the number of points
assigned; a total of 100 points is possible.
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Technical Evaluation Criteria
a. Technical Approach
b. Management Plan
c. Institutional Capacity
d. Past Performance
Total possible technical evaluation points
Weight
55
15
15
15
100
a) Technical Approach – 55 points
Particular attention will be given to evaluating the applicant’s responsiveness
to the program summary/ program description and realistic linkages between
expected results and the applicant’s proposed interventions. Applicants
must demonstrate understanding of key issues, challenges and opportunities.
b) Management Plan – 15 points
Particular attention will be given to the extent to which the proposed
management structure and approach will ensure program effectiveness and
efficiency in achieving maximum benefits and results. The Management Plan
must consist of a clear and concise description of how internal management
plans, organizational structures, lines of communications and partnerships
amount to a timely and integrated project implementation strategy.
c) Institutional Capacity – 15 Points
Particular attention will be given to applicant’s demonstrated effectiveness in
organizing and managing development programs. Applicants must have the
requisite experience in effective coordination of multi-component projects
involving multiple institutions and diverse pools of expertise.
d) Past Performance – 15 Points
Particular attention will be given to past achievements as evidenced by
verifiable success in implementing similar programs. In articulating past
achievements, applicants should explain why and how similar achievements
are relevant for the current program.
II. Budget Evaluation
Evaluation points are not awarded for the applicant’s budget. Proposed budgets
will primarily be reviewed to determine if the overall costs proposed are realistic
for the work to be performed, if the costs reflect understanding of the
requirements, and if the costs are consistent with the technical application.
15
Although there is no requirement that applicants propose a specific cost share,
cost sharing is an important element of the TDEA-recipient relationship and
applicants are encouraged to contribute resources from its own, private or local
sources for the implementation of this program. Contributions can be either cash
or in kind.
III. Best Value Decision
Award will be made to the Applicant whose application offers the best value to
TDEA. Best value is defined as the expected outcome of a process that, in
TDEA’s estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the
requirement.
For this RFA, technical proposal merits are considered significantly more
important than cost relative to deciding which Applicant might perform the work
best. Cost realism, effectiveness and reasonableness will be the determining
factors in the event that the applications receiving the highest ratings are closely
ranked. Therefore, after the final evaluation of the application, TDEA will make
the award to the Applicant whose application offers the best value to the project
considering technical, cost and other factors.
Other areas of review and discussion will vary according to the circumstances
pertaining to the application.
Grant applications must score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 to merit
further consideration. The SCVPA project office will acknowledge the receipt of
applications. The processing of application may take a minimum of 6 weeks.
IV. Branding Strategy and Marking Plan
USAID is the prime funding institution for the grants under this solicitation.
USAID‘s policy is that programs, projects, activities, public communications, or
commodities implemented or delivered under co-funded instruments – such as
grants, cooperative agreements, or other assistance awards that usually require
a cost share – generally are ―co-branded and co-marked. TDEA will put in
required provisions in the award document and will provide necessary technical
assistance to successful applicants in this regard.
(End of Section – B)
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Section – C: Program Summary/ Program Description
Citizens’ Voice Project is based on the understanding that the links between the
government and the governed in Pakistan are weak; and that the absence of
substantive public debate and discussion about key social, economic and political
issues often exacerbates the lack of public trust and confidence in government
institutions and in civil society.
The program has three main objective areas: 1) Strengthened Voice (Policy
Advocacy and Government Oversight); 2) Enhanced Capacity (Organizational
Development and Targeted Trainings); and, 3) Improved Accountability (Public
Private Connections, or linkages, between and among state and non-state actors).
The outcomes expected in each area are behavioral and attitudinal changes and,
over time, the project will help to institutionalize changes in public decision-making
mechanisms, program planning and implementation, and oversight.
TDEA provides the opportunity to community-based organizations, and NGOs to
come up with their own ideas, promotes out of the box thinking with innovative
ideas. SCVPA aims to empower people and organizations to initiate change from the
grassroots level.
A valid proposal must meet the following criteria:




Be innovative and unique;
Be independently originated and developed by the applicant;
Be consistent with and supportive of USAID/Pakistan’s strategy and
objectives; and
Be able to meet a specific programmatic need in the defined thematic area.
The following thematic areas along with sector and estimated funding have been
identified for the second grant cycle of TDEA. Accordingly, applicants are required
to propose programs within these areas to meet the overall objectives of the
Citizens’ Voice Project i.e., Strengthened Voice; Enhanced Capacity and Improved
Public Accountability.
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Thematic Area # 1: Citizens’ Voice for Effective Legislative Governance
Background:
An effective and responsive legislature is essential for improving democratic and
accountable governance. In Pakistan, the performance of legislative bodies has
been relatively weak, partly because of lack of continuity of democratic process due
to several military interventions. To strengthen democracy, the legislative bodies
must better serve as bridges between the state institutions and society by
representing their constituents and carrying out pro-people legislation.
The
legislature is also crucial for executive oversight to ensure executive agencies
protect citizens’ rights and freedoms and provide improved, equitable delivery of
quality public services. Effective legislative bodies with requisite capacities are
critical to the consolidation of democracy in Pakistan, as they can empower ordinary
people to participate in the decision-making processes that affect or shape their
lives. However, to make the legislative bodies responsive and effective, citizens in
the constituencies must understand the roles and responsibilities of legislators as
well as legislative bodies, and then constructively engage with them in an informed
manner with appropriate demands, expectations and practical suggestions. This
function is especially important today in light of the devolution of key public
functions under the 18th Amendment.
Civil society organizations can play an important role in terms of public awareness
and knowledge promotion about the roles and functions of legislators and
legislatures. Furthermore, they can identify, develop and implement tools and
mechanisms for effective public oversight, advocacy and accountability through
constituency-based initiatives. Such initiatives may involve organization of public
dialogues, promotion of citizens’ access to information, analysis of legislators’
performance, expert information, and initiatives aimed at public accountability of
legislators. Over time, a more consistent interface and engagement between
legislators and citizens will also help strengthen citizens’ voice to inform and
influence key decisions of the legislature.
The Citizens’ Voice Project aims to strengthen citizens’ voice and public
accountability in relation to the performance of Federal and provincial legislators
and related bodies by:

Supporting efforts to design and implement public information, education and
communication campaigns (IEC) aimed at improving awareness and
expanding knowledge of masses about the role, functioning and
accountability of legislators as well as legislative bodies.

Developing linkages and partnerships between and among citizen groups
including marginalized groups, civil society organizations, public institutions,
18
political parties and academia to engage with legislators and to monitor their
performance.
Objectives:
Projects will be funded in support of one or both of the following objectives and
respective sub-objectives:
1. Strengthened citizens’ voice through, among others, oversight of the legislature
and the legislators and/or advocacy for reforming relevant structural and
operational laws, policies, procedures and practices for improved performance of
the legislature. Priority focus is on the representational and oversight role of the
legislature.










Public awareness campaigns about the roles, responsibilities and functions of
legislatures, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed for
improved legislative performance.
Establishing information exchange hubs, networks and collaborations of
citizens groups, civil society organizations and watchdogs to oversee
legislative affairs and monitor legislators’ performance.
Establishing and enhancing linkages between provincial and national
legislators to bridge the gap between national and provincial legislation on
specific issues.
Taking concrete steps for establishment of additional or new forums for
citizens and civil society groups to interact with legislators, and participate in
or contribute to the legislative or executive oversight work performed by
legislators.
Developing through a consultative process a Citizens’ Charter of Demands
vis-à-vis the performance of the Federal or a provincial legislature.
Public oversight of the development funds at the disposal of legislators in
order to ensure that these are utilized efficiently, transparently, honestly and
fairly.
Enhancing civil society participation in the oversight processes at various
stages through available forums or mechanisms at Federal and provincial
levels to convey citizens’ voice and demands.
Promotion of informed public dialogue around the roles, functions and
performance of legislators and legislatures, and the challenges being faced in
reforming and improving the performance at the Federal and provincial
levels.
Campaigns for more effective legislative procedures in areas like budget
approval and oversight [e.g. budget review by committees, timely approval
of supplementary budgets], adoption of a code of conduct for legislators [e.g.
conflict of interest disclosure], and mandatory requirements for public
hearings.
Contributing towards better scrutiny and analysis of legislative affairs and
legislators’ performance by pluralistic media by calling legislators to account
19
on their manifestos and agendas and by analyzing their performance in
terms of legislation and executive oversight.
2. Linkages, between and among Government, political parties and nonGovernment actors for improved accountability of the legislature and the
legislators.




Establishing partnerships/linkages with legislators or relevant legislative
bodies at the Federal and provincial levels to establish appropriate forums
where citizens and civil society groups could ask questions, seek answers,
raise concerns about performance of legislators and suggest reforms with the
aim of strengthening legislative transparency and accountability.
Informing and supporting members of the public about how they could use
the legislative committees to get their complaints vis-à-vis public bodies
resolved.
Engaging with elected representatives or other relevant institutions to
highlight complaints of constituents and citizens (including the ones against
legislators), and get the same addressed to increase accountability in
legislators’ performance.
Engaging with elected representatives to seek commitments for concrete
steps toward or improved policies for efficient, responsive, honest,
accountable and transparent governance.
Results Expected:
The applicants must design their projects with a clear focus to achieve concrete and
measurable results contributing to one or more of the following:









Improved public awareness and knowledge about, among others, the roles
and responsibilities of legislators and legislatures.
Improved interaction between constituents and legislators/ legislatures.
Increased public accountability of legislatures and legislators.
Broadened citizen participation and inclusiveness in law-making and
executive oversight functions (both at provincial and Federal levels).
Improved and more effective legislative procedures.
Greater transparency in the activities and performance of legislators as well
as legislative bodies.
Improved performance of legislators/ legislatures in terms of law-making and
executive oversight.
Better scrutiny and analysis of legislative affairs by pluralistic media.
Voice and complaints of citizens are more easily heard and addressed.
Illustrative Activities to be supported:
The following are types of activities that may be funded under this solicitation:

Initiatives to oversee the performance of legislatures and legislators both at
Federal and provincial levels;
20









Meetings with political leaders, legislators and members of standing
committees both at the Federal and provincial levels;
Compilation of Report Cards at constituency level to evaluate the
performance of legislators and dissemination of the same to the general
public and relevant stakeholders;
‘Meet the candidates’ programs;
Interface meetings with citizens and politicians on manifestos of political
parties;
Applied research as required to develop citizens’ demands e.g. Citizens’
Charter of Demands for more effective legislatures;
Stakeholder dialogues, seminars, policy forums, roundtables and conferences
etc.;
Public awareness campaigns through print or electronic media;
Activities related to submitting complaints to relevant legislative bodies
including parliamentary committees, anti-corruption departments, senior
officers or other forums (e.g. Provincial/Federal Ombudsman); and
Any other activities that can efficiently contribute to realization of the given
objectives.
Activity types that will not be supported under this solicitation include:







Partisan activities or the ones which encourage or support sectarian,
linguistic, religious and racial divides;
Legal fees for court cases against public bodies;
International travel;
Scientific “non-applied” research;
Direct service delivery;
Activities that are in violation of national laws; and
Any other activities, which cannot be justified in view of the selected theme
or project objectives.
Preferred Organizations:
Civil society groups, academic institutions, universities, media groups, networks/
coalitions of civil society organizations, other professional organizations and NGOs
that can work on voice and accountability issues.
Geographical Focus:
Applications with focus on National Assembly/ Senate and/or provincial assemblies
of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are invited from all over the
country for implementing concrete projects that could contribute to the results
mentioned above. At least 1 grant each will be awarded for projects with focus on
legislative assemblies in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). Each
application should preferably have a clear geographical focus [e.g. one or more
selected districts in a province] for dialogues, awareness work and engagement
with elected leaders from that area.
21
Applicants may also suggest cost-effective activities aimed at engaging
stakeholders in the provincial or Federal capitals. However, such initiatives should
be based on substantial work already carried out or simultaneously being carried
out in the constituencies of selected districts.
Duration:
Up to 2 years
Number of Grants:
Total grants: up to 15.
With focus on:
National/ Provincial: Up to 13 grants
Gilgit Baltistan: At least 1 grant
AJK: At least 1 grant
Grant size: Up to PKR 17,000,000 per grant.
Thematic Area # 2: Advocacy for Strengthening Legal Framework for NPOs
Background:
Today many non-profit organizations (NPOs, also known as NGOs) have emerged in
a large number to perform a pivotal role in addressing a vast range of conventional
social sector areas and newer areas including development, disaster relief, gender,
human rights, democratic development and effective governance. However, their
effectiveness, sustainability and growth suffers due to constraints related to the
existing legislative framework. Pakistan’s legislative framework for the registration
and governance of NPOs is outdated and inadequate, and is in dire need of reform.
Many of the laws under which NPOs can be registered are more than a century old
(e.g. Trust Act 1882 and Societies Act 1860) and, therefore, do not fully enable an
effective and strong civil society sector in a democratic state. These laws are
restricted in scope, outdated and they do not provide a framework in which NPOs
could better perform their role effectively, transparently and sustainably and
without any fear of arbitrary interference by the government of the day. In short,
because most of these laws were enacted either by the colonial or military
governments [e.g. Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control Ordinance)
1961 and Companies Ordinance 1984], they do not take into consideration the
needs and requirements of Pakistan’s society and the civil society sector as it exists
and continues to evolve.
22
This situation calls for an informed dialogue within the civil society sector and
among all stakeholders so to improve the existing legislative framework in the light
of the needs and requirements of a robust civil society in a modern democracy.
Such an effort should be led by the NPOs in the country themselves.
USAID‘s Citizen’s Voice Project aims to support initiatives to strengthen citizens’
voice, in this instance concerning the legislative framework in relation to the
registration, scope and governance of NPOs.
Objective:
Projects will be funded to support strengthened citizens’ voice through, among
others, research-based advocacy to reform and/or consolidate (or unify) relevant
laws, policies and regulations for more inclusive, efficient, autonomous, sustainable,
transparent and accountable functioning of NPOs. Proposals could suggest work to
include:






Research the existing laws related to NPOs at the Federal or provincial levels
to comprehensively identify weaknesses as well as areas that need to be
reformed in the light of fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of
Pakistan, previous research in the area, consultations with stakeholders and
international best practices.
Assess the feasibility of consolidating or unifying all relevant provincial or all
relevant Federal laws for the convenience of potential or existing NPOs.
Advocate for reforms aimed at enactment of improved and, if feasible,
consolidated law(s) for NPOs.
Participate, and/or facilitate NPOs participation, in the policy making and
decision-making processes at various stages through available forums or
mechanisms to convey citizens’ as well as NPOs’ voice and demands, as
articulated through participatory research.
Promote informed public dialogue around the legislative framework related to
NPOs and challenges faced in improving the performance of NPOs in a
sustainable manner, including concerted media education and outreach and
engagement with legislators and other relevant office bearers.
Prepare a unified draft bill that includes reforms, as identified in the light of
research and stakeholder consultations suggested above.
Results Expected:
All activities supported under this solicitation should help to inform and strengthen
citizens’ voice on the basis of research that takes into account the constitutional
guarantees, stakeholders’ views and international best practice. Furthermore, the
projects should contribute to draft model laws (or integrated and unified draft
23
laws), which should be the basis for advocacy to promote the cause of effective and
appropriate legislation for NPOs in the respective province or at the Federal level.
Illustrative Activities to be supported:
The following are types of activities that may be funded (as per the needs of
suggested project) under this solicitation:






Stakeholder dialogues, seminars, policy forums, roundtables and conferences
etc.;
Meetings with political leaders, senior officers, legislators and NPO leaders;
Public awareness campaigns including through print or electronic media;
Participation in relevant official meetings or proceedings;
Applied research; and
Any other activities that can efficiently contribute to realization of the given
objectives.
Activity types that will not be supported under this solicitation include:







Partisan activities or the ones which encourage or support sectarian,
linguistic, religious and racial divides;
Legal fees for court cases against public bodies;
International travel;
Scientific “ non-applied” research;
Direct service delivery;
Activities that are in violation of national laws; and
Any other activities, which cannot be justified in view of the selected theme
or project objectives.
Preferred Organizations:
Private academic institutions, think tanks, law firms and NGOs, which have the
experience of relevant research and which can work to implement advocacy
initiatives in the area of not-for-profit sector.
Geographical Focus:
Applications are invited from all over the country for implementing pilot projects
with focus on federal level; and from Punjab-based organizations for a project in
the province of Punjab. Applications may be invited for similar projects in other
provinces in the following grant cycles.
Duration:
Up to 12 months
24
Number of Grants:
Total grants: Up to 2. (For example, one for federal level only and one for Punjab
province exclusively as a pilot)
Grant size: Up to PKR 8,500,000 per grant.
Thematic Area # 3: Citizens’ Voice and Public Accountability in Tax Collection
Sector
Background:
Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world. The repercussions are
far-reaching. The situation encourages increasing reliance on uncertain external
loans/grants and promotes heavy borrowing from domestic sources. The outcomes
are unsustainable inflationary pressures, discouragement of private investment and
massive debt servicing allocations that currently account for 45% of the current
expenditure at federal level. The inadequacy and poor reach of government service
delivery (like health, education, sanitation and water supply) is partially a result of
the chronically weak tax base.
The poor tax-to-GDP ratio is attributed to a range of factors including exemptions to
influential sections of society (e.g. income earned through exports and agricultural
sector), resistance/unwillingness of certain segments to pay their share of taxes
(e.g. traders’ community), rampant inefficiencies and corruption in the tax
collection authorities (e.g. Federal Board of Revenue and Provincial Excise
Departments), and lack of public demand for reforming the tax policy as well as
the tax collection system. Citizens - being the prime stakeholders - can play an
important role in reforming both tax policy and administration. This will necessitate
an active citizenry demanding long-needed tax reforms, aiming at a better tax
policy through debate and negotiations, overseeing the tax collection system, and
holding the elected leaders and relevant authorities to account for revenue reform.
USAID’s Citizens’ Voice Project aims to, among others, strengthen citizens’ voice
and public accountability in the taxation sector by supporting:


Designing and implementation of public information, education and
communication (IEC) campaigns aimed at improving awareness and
expanding knowledge of taxation sector issues; and,
Engagement of tax payers and civil society organizations with public sector
institutions and departments like Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Excise and
Taxation Departments and federal or provincial legislatures for targeted
reforms and accountability in tax sector.
25
Objectives:
Projects will be funded in support of one or both of the following objectives and
respective sub-objectives:
Strengthened citizens’ voice through, among others, oversight of tax departments
and/or advocacy for reforming relevant laws, policies, regulations, departments and
practices for more efficient, fair and equitable tax collection efforts.







Concrete steps for establishment of forums where citizens and civil society
groups could participate in and contribute to the policy making, legislative
and monitoring processes at the Federal (e.g. FBR etc.) or provincial levels
(e.g. Excise and Taxation Departments etc.);
Civil society participation in the policy making and decision making processes
at various stages at the Federal or provincial levels through available forums
or mechanisms [e.g. parliamentary committees] to convey citizens’ voice and
demands, as articulated through evidence-based and participatory methods;
Promotion of informed public dialogue around the policies and practices (in
relation to aspects like fair and equitable taxation policy, tax-payers’
grievances, tax-payers’ rights and reform of tax collection departments) and
challenges being faced in reforming and improving the performance of
taxation sector at the Federal or provincial levels;
Campaigns for the recognition and implementation of universally accepted
tax-payers’ rights (e.g. courteous, fair and professional treatment and timely
refunds), as well as for effective platforms for grievance redress in relation to
Federal or provincial authorities;
Steps towards improved media reporting on tax related matters and issues;
Development and/or promotion or support of a bill of tax-payers’ rights in
consultation with stakeholders and with focus on Federal and/or provincial
taxation systems;
Oversight of relevant institutions, departments and programs to identify
strengths, weaknesses and challenges in order to inform public discourse and
provide appropriate feedback into the policy making, implementation or
monitoring processes at the Federal or provincial levels;
Civil Society-Government Partnership, or linkages, between and among government
and non-Government actors for improved accountability in the taxation sector.

Engagement with political parties and elected representatives at the Federal
or provincial levels to seek commitments, demand performance and ask
critical questions about inadequate policies, inefficiencies, citizens’ complaints
or corruption and violations of tax-payers’ rights in relation to the taxation
sector;
26


Establish partnerships/ linkages with (or make use of) parliamentary
committees (e.g. Provincial Assembly Committee on Finance or National
Assembly/ Senate Committees on Finance), anti-corruption departments
and/or other institutions meant for grievance redress or accountability (e.g.
Provincial Ombudsman and Federal Tax Ombudsman) at the Federal or
provincial levels;
Establish partnership/ linkages with relevant public bodies (e.g. FBR;
provincial department of excise and taxation) to establish appropriate forums
where citizens and civil society groups could ask questions, seek answers,
raise concerns about performance and suggest reforms.
Results Expected:
The applicants must design their projects with a clear focus to achieve concrete and
measurable results contributing to one or more of the following:
 Improved awareness and knowledge among stakeholders of tax related
issues.
 Broadened citizens’ participation and inclusiveness in tax related policy
dialogues and policy making, oversight and evaluation processes.
 Improved understanding and/ or legal protection and implementation of taxpayers’ rights.
 Improved media reporting on tax related matters.
 Improve performance of tax departments in terms of tax collection and/or
the way tax-payers are treated.
 Improving transparency and accountability at planning, execution and
evaluation stages in the tax collection system.
 Improved grievance-redress systems in terms of efficient, fair and quick
disposal of cases.
 Better awareness of complaint systems, which tax payers could use when
feeling aggrieved.
 Improved taxation laws and policies in terms of fairness, equity, nondiscrimination and accountability.
Illustrative Activities to be supported:
The following are types of activities that may be funded under this solicitation:




Stakeholder dialogues, seminars, policy forums, roundtables and conferences
etc.;
Activities required to oversee the performance of public bodies;
Meetings with political leaders, senior officers, legislators and tax-payers;
Public awareness campaigns including through print or electronic media;
27




Participation in relevant official meetings or proceedings;
Applied research as required to develop citizens’ demands e.g. Citizens’
Charter of Demands for taxation system;
Activities related to submitting complaints to parliamentary committees, anticorruption
departments,
senior
officers
or
other
forums
(e.g.
Provincial/Federal Ombudsman); and,
Any other activities that can efficiently contribute to realization of the given
objectives.
Activity types that will not be supported under this solicitation include:







Partisan activities or the ones which encourage or support sectarian,
linguistic, religious and racial divides;
Legal fees for court cases against public bodies;
International travel;
Scientific “ non-applied” research;
Direct service delivery;
Activities that are in violation of national laws; and
Any other activities, which cannot be justified in view of the selected theme
or project objectives.
Preferred Organizations:
Civil society groups, academic institutions, networks/ coalitions of civil society
organizations, tax-payers’ associations, other professional organizations and NGOs
that can work on voice and accountability issues.
Geographical Focus:
Applications are invited from all over the country for implementing projects with the
following geographical/ jurisdictional priories:


A minimum of 5 grants will be awarded for projects related to Federal taxes.
Each application should, preferably, have a specific geographical focus (e.g. a
Collectorate of Income Tax or Customs; or a selected few districts) for
awareness, stakeholders dialogues and campaigns; while suggesting costeffective mechanisms for engagement with relevant policy-makers or forums
at the Federal level as well.
Up to 5 grants will be awarded for project with focus on provincial taxes.
Each application should, preferably, have a specific geographical focus (e.g.
one or more selected districts) for awareness, stakeholders’ dialogues and
campaigns; while suggesting cost-effective mechanisms for engagement with
relevant policy-makers or forums in the respective provincial government.
28
Durations:
Up to 18 months.
Number of Grants:
Total grants: up to 10.
Total Grant size: Up to PKR 12,750,000 per grant.
Thematic Area # 4: Education Sector Reforms
Background
The Government of Pakistan (GOP) is faced with a dire situation in education.
According to UNESCO’s 2011 Global Monitoring Report 2011, the country ranks 119
out of 127 countries on the Education for All (EFA) Development Index. The
schooling system is in a protracted crisis beset by chronic underfinancing, poor
quality, and corruption resulting in some of the worst and most unequal education
indicators in South Asia. The country is also faced with insurgent groups who have
repeatedly attacked education infrastructure and girls’ schools in particular.
Pakistan has a net primary school attendance rate of 66 per cent versus 90 per cent
globally. Of the children who do enroll in school, 30 percent will drop out by grade
five. Only one-third of Pakistani children receive a secondary education, with many
dropping out. The major causes of the high dropout rate at primary level comprise
poverty, poor educational governance, teachers’ absenteeism and social and
religious taboos.
The literacy rate in 2004-05 was 53 percent and the target of 77 percent for 2010
looks unachievable as is reaching the MDG target of 88 percent by 2015. Just 53
percent of the population can read and almost half of children aged 7 to 16 from
the poorest households are out of school, perversely making Pakistan one of the
few countries where the illiterate rate is growing. In 2011, new constitutional
reforms were signed into law and the basic education sector was decentralized to
the provinces. At all levels, schools are now the responsibility of local governments
and districts. This has opened up new possibilities in areas such as better
governance, improved quality, and monitoring of education performance. Local
level capacity to manage these responsibilities varies greatly and the newly
established districts have a weak management capacity and will require continued
technical assistance. The media, NGO and citizens “watchdog” groups, and
educational organizations have important roles to play in strengthening
accountability at the national and provincial levels.
The Citizens’ Voice Project aims to strengthen
accountability in the education sector by:
citizens’
voice
and
public
29

Supporting efforts to design and implement public information, education and
communication campaigns (IEC) aimed at improving awareness and expanding
knowledge of education sector issues, and sensitization of masses about the
importance of education that lead to an environment of championing education
reform; and

Developing linkages and partnerships between and among citizen groups,
parents/teachers and civil society organizations to engage with public sector
institutions and departments to better respond to citizen needs.
Objectives:
“Citizen-Education” Projects will be funded in support of one or both of the following
objectives and respective sub-objectives:
Strengthened citizens’ voice through, among others, oversight of public sector
education system and/or advocacy for reforming relevant laws, policies and
practices for improved quality of public sector education.








Advocate for establishment of forums where citizens and civil society groups
could participate in and contribute to the policy making and monitoring
processes.
Assist in effective networking of organizations working for education sector
reform to strengthen accountability, ensure coordination and to avoid
duplication of efforts.
Participate in the policy making and decision-making processes at various stages
through available forums or mechanisms to convey citizens’ voice and demands,
as articulated through evidence-based and participatory methods.
Promotion of informed public dialogue around the policies (in relation to aspects
like availability, access, quality, discrimination, gender-gap, curriculum,
infrastructure, administrative & absenteeism,) and challenges being faced in
reforming and improving the performance of education sector.
Campaigns for the implementation of Article 25-A of Pakistan’s Constitution,
which declares right to education as a fundamental right of all children of 5-16
years of age.
Campaigns for increased budgetary allocations, devolution of more powers to
schools (e.g. school-based budgeting), transparency and stronger citizens’
involvement on the basis of demands articulated through a broad-based
consultative process involving various stakeholders.
Oversight of relevant institutions, departments and programs to identify
strengths, weaknesses and challenges in order to inform public discourse and
provide appropriate feedback into the policy making, implementation or
monitoring processes.
Address the relationship and improved cooperation among district/city,
provincial and Central Government to address bottlenecks in service delivery.
30



Support policies and related government initiatives aimed at improving the
enabling environment to effectively carry out the decentralization of the
schooling system.
Support the development and sustainability of government agencies and other
institutions that will provide ongoing assistance to improve local education
governance.
Advocacy campaign and engagement with political parties and all other
stakeholder to develop policy and a regulatory framework for the private
education institutions to effectively address concerns related to, among others,
quality, discrimination, fees and safety conditions.
Civil Society-Government Partnership, or linkages, between and among
Government and non-Government actors for improved accountability in the
education sector.




Engagement with political parties and elected representatives to seek
commitments, demand performance and ask critical questions about inadequate
policies, interference, inefficiencies, students/ parents complaints or corruption
[e.g. building contracts and procurements, etc.] in the education sector.
Establish partnerships/ linkages with (or make use of) parliamentary committees
(e.g. Parliamentary Committees of provincial assemblies on education), anticorruption departments and/or other institutions meant for accountability (e.g.
Provincial Ombudsman).
Establish partnership/ linkages with relevant public bodies (e.g. relevant district
authorities like EDO education office; provincial department of education) to
establish appropriate forums where citizens and civil society groups could ask
questions, seek answers, raise concerns about performance and suggest
reforms.
Effective steps to ensure the promotion of the use of available complaint forums
to get the complaints of students or their parents effectively addressed.
Results Expected:
The applicants must design their projects with a clear focus to achieve concrete and
measurable results contributing to one or more of the following:
 Improved awareness and knowledge among stakeholders of issues related
to, among others, education sector governance and financing.
 Broadened citizens’ participation and inclusiveness in education related policy
dialogues and policy making, oversight and evaluation processes.
 Improved understanding, awareness and/ or legal protection and
implementation of rights of children.
 Improved media reporting on education related matters and challenges.
 Improve performance of educational institutions and departments in terms
of, among others, enrollment, quality of education and learning outcomes.
31
 Improving transparency and accountability at planning, execution and
evaluation stages in all programs and activities related to education sector.
 Improved grievance-redress systems in terms of efficient, fair and quick
disposal of complaints.
 Reduced corruption in the education sector, especially in procurements and
building new or upgrading existing schools.
 Better awareness of complaint systems, which students or parents could use
when feeling aggrieved.
 Improved laws and policies relating to education sector (e.g. Right to Free
and Compulsory Education Acts) and within the framework as modified
through the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Illustrative Activities to be supported:
The following are types of activities that may be funded under this solicitation:









Stakeholder dialogues, seminars, policy forums, roundtables and conferences
etc.;
Activities required to oversee the performance of public bodies;
Meetings with political leaders, senior officers, legislators and teachers;
Public awareness campaigns including through print or electronic media;
Participation in relevant official meetings;
Applied research as required to develop citizens demands e.g. Citizens’ Charter
of Demands for public sector education; or in relation to regulation of private
sector education;
Participation in education meetings to provide inputs and/or agreement on
various school policies, plans and budgets and evaluate implementation of the
plans and budgets to involve citizens in decision making and evaluation process;
Reactivation/ revamping of the parents-teachers committees for effective school
management;
Any other activities that can efficiently contribute to realization of the given
objectives.
Activity types that will not be supported under this solicitation include:







Partisan activities or the ones which encourage or support sectarian, linguistic,
religious and racial divides;
Legal fees for court cases against public bodies;
International travel;
Scientific “non-applied” research;
Direct service delivery;
Activities that are in violation of national laws; and
Any other activities, which cannot be justified in view of the selected theme or
project objectives.
32
Preferred Organizations:
Civil society groups, academic institutions, networks/ coalitions of civil society
organizations, teachers’ associations, other professional organizations and NGOs
that can work on voice and accountability issues.
Geographical Focus:
Applications are invited from all over the country for implementing projects with
focus on selected district(s) and/or provincial levels. Applicants are encouraged to
have a manageable geographical focus (i.e. number of districts) in order to ensure
optimal, concrete and measurable results.
Duration:
Up to 12 months
Number of Grants:
Total grants: up to 10.
Total Grant size: Up to PKR 8,500,000 per grant.
(End of Section – C)
33
Section – D: Annexes – separately available on project website
1. Technical Application
2. Workplan template
3. Budget template
4. Past Performance Template
5. PMEP Template
6. Pre-award Certifications, Assurances and other statements of applicant/ recipient
(Not to be submitted with grant application)
7. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity For Applicants
Applicability: The applicant’s completion of the survey is voluntary, and is not a requirement of the
RFA. The absence of a completed survey in an application may not be a basis upon which the
application is determined incomplete or non-responsive. Applicants who volunteer to complete and
submit the survey under a competitive or non-competitive action are instructed within the text of
the survey to submit it as part of the application process.
34