Expression of Interest (EOI): Non-government organizations (NGOs) for the Strengthening Civil Society Project in Nepal



Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) from

non-government organizations (NGOs) for the Strengthening Civil Society Project in Nepal

Date of Publication: 19 March 2025, Wednesday

Organizational overview:

The Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), established in 1958, promotes global sustainable development. Focused on poverty reduction and gender equality, CECI empowers women, girls, and vulnerable communities through innovative solutions in leadership, economic inclusion, governance, climate resilience, and peacebuilding. Operating in 17 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, it has executed over 350 projects in partnership with 400 organizations. CECI prioritizes (1) Women and Girls' Rights, (2) Women’s Economic Empowerment, (3) Climate Change Adaptation, and (4) Inclusive Governance & Peacebuilding. It fosters transformative, gender-inclusive approaches and best practices for sustainable solutions. Since 1987, CECI has worked in Nepal across 66 districts within seven provinces, implementing 50+ projects in agriculture, MSMEs, governance, and gender equality, collaborating with governments, civil society, and the private sector.  Learn more at www.ceci.org.

Forum for Protection of Public Interest (Pro Public) is a national non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on serving the public interest in Nepal. Established in 1991 by a diverse group, including lawyers, journalists, economists, women's rights activists, and consumer advocates, Pro Public works to combat corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and irregularities, holding government bodies accountable. Its mission includes promoting good governance, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, protecting natural and cultural heritage, advancing environmental justice, supporting gender equality, and ensuring consumer protection. The organization utilizes media campaigns, advocacy, negotiations, and public interest litigation to promote transparency and accountability. Learn more at www.propublic.org.

The project:

CECI is launching a 36-month regional initiative in partnership with Pro Public, titled "Strengthening Civil Society Project in Nepal.” This project will be implemented in selected 12 local governments (LGs) within the Madhesh and Lumbini provinces.

Therefore, CECI and Pro Public seek provincial or local organizations with their working presence in those LGs and experience in inclusive governance, human rights protection, inclusive political outreach, and gender equality to enhance the project's effectiveness and contribute to sustainable and inclusive development in both provinces as implementing partners for this initiative.

Partner profile: 

Organizations that meet the mandatory and preferred criteria mentioned below are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) along with a brief concept note in the format provided. One partner is expected to work in each province according to the specified priority local governments (LGs). Organizations interested should address the operating context, key strategic approaches for implementing and coordinating project activities at LG and provincial levels, ensuring their effectiveness, existing institutional capacity, and relevant past experiences working with rights holders, duty bearers, and responsibility holders to increase equitable participation by individuals and civil society in public leadership, decision-making, inclusive governance, human rights and democratic processes, focusing on women, vulnerable and marginalized groups, and rights-based organizations in the targeted LGs.

Essential documents:

• Renewed registration certificate with DAO,
• Renewed affiliation certificate with SWC,
• Valid PAN certificate,
• Signed Audit Report for the last three fiscal years,
• Tax Clearance Certificate of the latest fiscal year,
• Board-approved Financial Management Policy, including Human Resources, GESI, DEI, and Safeguarding policies,
• Provide evidence of program implementation experience in inclusive governance, inclusive political outreach, citizen/civic engagement, transparency and accountability, empowerment, and capacity building of WMGs in the relevant areas mentioned,
• Evidence of local presence, strong networking and advocacy in respective provinces, districts and LGs as per SWC mandate.

All the essential documents must be submitted using the EOI forms. Failure to provide essential documents automatically disqualifies the NGO from the evaluation process.

Preferred criteria:

• Experience working with women, youth, and vulnerable or marginalized groups.
• Experience collaborating with rights holders, duty bearers, and responsibility holders at local and provincial levels.
• NGOs should have robust organizational policies for financial management, human resources, procurement, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and safeguarding.
• Evidence shows an average turnover of USD 100,000 annually over the past three years.

EOI submission process:

• Deadline: before 5 PM (NST) on 8 April 2025, Tuesday.
• Eligibility: Local or provincial organizations meeting the criteria mentioned above.
• EOI submission: Submit the EOI electronically as a PDF document to cecinepal@ceci.ca and propublic.np@gmail.com. Ensure all EOI forms are completed and submitted with all essential documents requested. NGOs can include additional documentation that may add value to the given sector.
• Subject line: EOI_StrengtheningCS_Madhesh or Lumbini (choose only one province).

NGOs needing clarification on the EOI can email their questions to cecinepal@ceci.ca and propublic.np@gmail.com before Thursday, March 27, 2025, by 5 PM (NST).

EOIs received after the deadline will not be considered. Upon completion of the evaluation process, all NGOs that have submitted an EOI will be notified of the outcome. Only the selected NGOs will be invited to enter discussions for a formal, detailed organizational assessment, due diligence, verification, and contractual agreement with CECI and Pro Public. 

Please note that CECI and Pro Public reserve the right to decline any EOI submissions that do not meet the minimum standards outlined in the call and reserve the right to accept or reject any or all EOI applications without giving any reason whatsoever. 

Attempting to influence during the assessment process will lead to automatic disqualification.

For more information about our organizations and our commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, please visit our websites:

• CECI: https://ceci.org/fr/le-ceci-en-bref
• Pro Public: https://propublic.org/

Download the EOI Notice and Application Form here.