Request for Proposal: “Enhancing Provincial Governance Accountability via Political Process Monitoring”

Request for Proposal

“Enhancing Provincial Governance Accountability via Political Process Monitoring”

Project Issuance/Start Date: May 1, 2024

Closing Date and Time: April 30, 2025

Budget Proposal Total: $ 40,000

Project Duration (Number of Months): 12 Months 

1. SUMMARY

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) requests for applications from local civil society organizations in Bagmati Province of Nepal to monitor a political process. The total funding amount for the political process monitoring is up to $ 40,000 over a one-year period, with an anticipated May 2024 start, and will be awarded to one civil society organization. Upon review of the draft proposal, NDI will invite one organization to submit a full proposal and budget.

2. BACKGROUND

Political process monitoring serves as a vital tool for civil society organizations to observe, evaluate, and report on the government’s work and can contribute to a more open and accountable government. It fosters open governance, improves accountability, and reinforces the constructive bond between governments and citizens. This endeavor is crucial in safeguarding civil liberties, ensuring transparency, and promoting the responsible functioning of government institutions through greater accountability, encouraging public engagement in political processes, and raising civic awareness, which are essential components of political process monitoring.

The 2015 constitution included a federal structure of government designed to devolve power and authority to 753 local governments and seven provinces. Operating within Nepal’s federal structure, the Bagmati Province, like other provinces in Nepal, faces multiple governance and legislative challenges. 

In the context of Nepal's Bagmati Province, political process monitoring can be used to promote a more open and accountable government, improve government performance, and increase citizen engagement. In addition, political process monitoring can serve as an integral tactic used by those advocating for public-sector reforms or improved service delivery. 

3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY

In this context, the Institute seeks to partner with a civil society organization to conduct a monitoring initiative to improve government transparency and accountability, enhance civic engagement and strengthen a culture of dialogue between civil society and public institutions.

Types of Monitoring 

Broadly, there are four types of political process monitoring, and the CSOs will have to submit their Proposal based on one of the following:

1. Parliamentary Monitoring
2. Monitoring Government Follow-Through
3. Budget Monitoring and Expenditure Tracking
4. Shadow Reporting

Component 1:  Comprehensive Monitoring and Reporting for Political Process Monitoring

The selected organization will engage in a series of data collection efforts over one project cycle, and analyze the data to assess government progress on the particular issue. 

Potential Activities: 

1. Interviews with government officials, stakeholders, contractors, current and former members of the Bagmati Province Assembly, citizens, and other pertinent entities.
2. Executing oversight surveys and other survey methodologies involving relevant stakeholders to glean invaluable insights.
3. Right to information requests
4. Observing and scrutinizing the operational intricacies of pivotal stakeholders engaged in the targeted monitoring process.
5. Diligently overseeing and tracking the activities of specific stakeholders in order to get a comprehensive understanding of their roles and influence on the government or political actors.
6. Prepare a final monitoring report inclusive of recommendations.

These activities collectively contribute to a thorough and relevant monitoring process, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the political landscape within the Bagmati Province.

Component 2: Build Greater Awareness and Dialogue on Political Process Monitoring

Utilizing the data collected from monitoring, the selected organization is required to disseminate the findings and engage in advocacy to build greater awareness of oversight and accountability of the provincial government. This is intended to be done through social media, infographics, data visualizations, community meetings, and other multimedia platforms to reach a broader audience and communicate the findings and data in a more digestible manner for public and stakeholder utilization. 

Organize targeted meetings and dialogues with its partner to present and share its findings with relevant authorities, office bearers, stakeholders, parliamentary members, and leaders of political parties.

Potential Activities:

• Infographics on advocacy messages resulting from the monitoring reports and government commitments on oversight work (~10 to 12 infographics);
• Short informational and/or multimedia videos targeting specific demographics for dissemination on social media;
• Roundtable discussions with government officials, provincial assembly members, other relevant stakeholders and
• Civil society forum(s) on the progress of oversight, transparency, and accountability. 

4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, EVALUATION CRITERIA, & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility Criteria

In order to ensure that local applicants possess adequate capacity to carry out the activities envisioned under this project, the following eligibility criteria will be used to determine applicants’ eligibility to receive a grant. The following eligibility criteria must be met by the date on which a proposal is submitted under the Request for Applications: 

• Valid organizational registration as a legal entity in Nepal.
• Proven commitment and prior experience to promoting transparency and accountability.
• Experience in researching and advocating on issues related to the type of political process monitoring selected. It is anticipated that one fixed price award will be awarded based on the RFP, subject to the availability of funds.
• The organizations must be based and working in Bagmati Province.
• Due to the nature of the activities and programs, not for profit organizations are only eligible to apply.
  

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the table below. Upon review and evaluation of the Proposal, NDI will select one organization to submit a full proposal, budget, and other required organizational documents.

Instructions for Application Submission

• The Proposal shall be divided into: A. Background; B. Objectives, Activities, and Methodology; and C. Action Plan and Timeline. 
• The templates of the proposal and budget will be provided upon request. 
• Details of different types of political process monitoring will be provided upon request.
• For these details, you can inquire at nepaljobs@ndi.org; 
• Proposal and budget must be in the format that NDI provides;
• Please submit your final proposal and budget at nepaljobs@ndi.org by February 15, 2024.