Country: Georgia
Closing date: 20 Apr 2016
Europe Foundation (EPF) seeks an international expert or a team of local and international experts to assess how the Government of Georgia is implementing its obligations to preserve, protect, improve, and rehabilitate the quality of the environment, as it relates to the issue of air quality. Georgia has undertaken this obligation under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA) and has since developed an Air Quality Roadmap to ensure compliance with the requirements of the AA environmental Annex. The activities to be undertaken require significant overhaul of the existing legislation and practice. EPF expects that the assignment will result in a situation analysis report, which will look into the existing policies and relevant regulatory framework, assessing their congruence with the obligations taken on by Georgia under the AA. The expert is expected to identify both regulatory and implementation gaps or shortcomings that hinder the achievement of good air quality in Georgia. Given the multiplicity and diversity of interests affected by this line of action, EPF would also like to see a risk assessment section, whereby the expert(s) will identify possible constraints and challenges, as well as their mitigation strategies. Given the Foundation’s mission and mandates, it is expected that the final product will help EPF and its partners to devise advocacy interventions that will ensure successful implementation of reforms with full participation of all stakeholders. EPF would like the assessment report to be completed by August 2016.
About Europe Foundation
Europe Foundation’s mission is to empower people to effect change for social justice and economic prosperity through hands-on programs, helping them to improve their communities and their own lives. To achieve its mission, EPF strives (1) to strengthen the capacity of individuals and institutions, empowering them to address pressing issues and (2) to mobilize relevant stakeholders in issue-based dialogue, through raising public awareness and creating various coalitions, platforms or working groups, so as to effect positive change.
EPF’s work is guided by the following approaches: (1) creating opportunities for civic participation in public policy making, (2) engaging youth, (3) fostering culture of corporate and community philanthropy, including through formation of public-private-NGO partnerships, (4) promoting evidence-based advocacy and decision making, and (5) building confidence across religious, ethnic, and community divides. Some of EPF’s flagship programs include: (1)Engage and Monitor for Change, (2) European Integration, (3) Youth Integration, (4)Social Enterprise and (5) Open Door Grantmaking. Together, they feed into achieving the Foundation’s mission and provide opportunities for Georgians to engage in social, economic, and political developments, in order to effect substantive and sustainable positive change at the local and national level.
The Assignment
The goal of the assignment is to assess the extent to which the existing regulatory framework compares to European standards and best practices and to identify avenues of action to effect positive changes.
With the adoption and entry into force of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, the country took on complex obligations to improve the situation on many fronts, including environmental protection. Among the seven sub-areas identified under the environmental protection field is air quality, which has been an issue of concern to the Georgian public residing in Tbilisi and other cities. With the Air Quality Roadmap, the GoG has identified actions that it needs to complete to come into compliance with the AA. However, given the technical nature of the reforms, the public remains unaware of the steps undertaken to address the dire situation on the ground. Much miscommunication has also taken place and important private interests are affected, which further hinders the reforms.
The analysis is commissioned with purpose to develop recommendations as to how meaningful reforms can be implemented and how different stakeholders can be informed about and involved in developing relevant policies and institutional framework. Thus, it is expected that the report will recommend the steps that could be undertaken to improve public policies related to air quality and civil society participation in their elaboration and implementation.
Assessment Methodology
The Expert(s) will be responsible for developing the assessment design and methodology. Details about the approach and the data collection methods to be employed to undertake this task should be included in the bid.
EPF expects that the Expert(s) will conduct a participatory assessment, providing for active and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders, partners, government institutions, CSOs, etc. Stakeholder participation is to be an integral part of data collection, and formulation of recommendations.
Timeframe
The Experts will produce the following deliverables (in English or Georgian):
- Inception report (due on May 17, 2016), which will address the following components:
- Initial situation analysis;
- Assessment methodology, including identification of topics that will be reviewed as part of the exercise;
- Data collection methods (derived from methodology)
- Synthesis of the collected data;
- Indicative timeline.
- Draft of the assessment report (due on June 30, 2016)
- Final report (due on July 29, 2016). The final report will include the following sections:
- Executive summary (max. 2 pages);
- Description of assessment goal and objectives;
- Description of the methodology and data collection tools utilized in the course of the assessment;
- Presentation of main findings and conclusions of the assessment;
- Recommendations;
- Annexes as agreed upon during the approval of the inception report.
The draft report does not have to include executive summary and annexes.
The assessment report will be the sole property of EPF, which will retain the right to use it for internal and external purposes.
Budget
The budget of the assessment should not exceed EUR 5,000 (GROSS)** for the services, including expenses for transportation to and within Georgia, accommodation, per diem, and Georgian taxes (if applicable). Price competitiveness will be a consideration during the selection process.
How to apply:
Request for Bids
Applicants should submit a proposal in English that includes:
- Detailed description of the Experts’ qualifications, with a list of previously undertaken assignments;
- Copy of a similar assessment report completed by the applicant during the past three years;
- Description and justification of proposed methodology, description of tools and techniques that will be used to collect and analyze information;
- Draft workplan.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Selection Criteria
EPF will select the winning candidate(s) among the companies or individuals submitting a complete bid by the proposal deadline. The selection criteria will include the following:
- Degree to which proposal adheres to assessment goal and objectives listed above;
- Quality of the proposed methodology;
- Qualifications of the bidding organization or individuals, including past experience in conducting assessments in the relevant field.
Review Process
Proposals are to be submitted via email to the attention of Ms. Lela Berdzuli at lberdzuli@epfound.ge. Please indicate “**Analysis of Georgian Public Policy in the Field of Air Quality”** in the subject line of your email. Interested individuals who have questions about this tender should email their inquiries to Vakhtang Kobaladze, Senior Program Manager (vkobaladze@epfound.ge).
The deadline for the submission of applications is April 20, 2016, 17:00 Tbilisi Time.
EPF senior management, program, and evaluation staff will review the proposals. The decision on the selection will be announced no later than April 28, 2016.
The assessment is commissioned within the framework of EPF project funded by Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).