THE GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING LEADER WITH ASSOCIATES

Transcription

1 THE GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING LEADER WITH ASSOCIATES Building Local Capacity and Leadership, Strengthening Independent Media, and Enriching the Design and Evaluation of Civil Society Programming Globally

2 Contents GCSS Overview The Global Civil Society Strengthening LWA Led by Counterpart International, the Global Civil Society Strengthening Leader with Associates (GCSS LWA) will serve USAID Missions, Regional Bureaus and Offices in the implementation of civil society, media development, and program design and learning activities around the world. 3 GCSS Overview Global Presence Counterpart and its GCSS Consortium partners have active programs and/or offices in 139 countries across the globe. This geographic breadth perfectly positions the Consortium to respond quickly and effectively to the civil society programming needs of USAID missions around the world. Resource Partners will be called upon to meet niche programming needs and to identify credible local groups, government contacts, private sector actors, under-served or minority groups, and youth and women s organizations. Access to More Than 23,000 Local & Regional Partners The GCSS Consortium has access to more than 23,000 local and regional partners around the world (including NGOs, CSOs, trade unions and professional associations, businesses and media outlets, and government institutions at all levels. The Consortium can tap into local sector-specific technical expertise that will serve as a resource for project design, start-up, and implementation, ensuring that our interventions are culturally and contextually relevant and sustainable and enabling us to keep costs as low as possible. Capacity building support for local NGOs may also target specific sectors, such as health or agriculture, to increase their ability to manage USAID grants. Alignment With USAID Forward Counterpart International s work with over 10,000 local and regional partners is in line with USAID Forward s objective to strengthen local civil society and private sector capacity to improve aid effectiveness and sustainability. Throughout its programs, Counterpart builds local ownership of the development process through: Institutional Strengthening Counterpart provides direct capacity building assistance to civil society organizations to enhance their internal programmatic and financial management and long-term sustainability. The assessment and resulting technical assistance package can be tailored to specific goals, including USAID certification for direct funding. In Yemen, Counterpart is working with the Center for Business Administration at Sana a University to develop and administer a certification program for CSOs. Smart Partnerships Counterpart partners directly with local organizations in the implementation process to further their institutional development. On average, 29% of Associate Award funds have gone directly to local partners. Counterpart uses mentoring and social partnership grants to facilitate national and regional linkages with NGOs, the private sector and public sector. GCSS Consortium GCSS Expertise & Services GCSS Advantages JOAN C. PARKER President & CEO Counterpart International GCSS Performance GCSS Process GCSS Participating Countries Investments in civil society pay off well into the future in terms of community resilience, social inclusiveness, and smarter decisions by leaders and citizens alike. Along with our distinguished consortium of implementing partners, we at Counterpart International are committed to ensuring the sustained success of civil society, even in some of the most difficult environments. 2 Global Civil Society Strengthening LWA Counterpart International 3

3 GCSS Consortium GCSS LWA Reach Counterpart International is the lead implementer for the LWA, and applies its core technical competencies in: civic engagement and citizen mobilization, advocacy and oversight, institutional strengthening and financial sustainability, network building and policy dialogue with local and national governments, along with program design, evaluation, assessment and development of innovative best practices and new approaches. Consortium Partners The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI) provides the GCSS with expertise in civil society legal and regulatory frameworks and providing legal services to CSOs. ABA-ROLI is also providing experienced legal professionals lawyers, judges, prosecutors and law professors to work in tandem with host country legal professionals and reformers in both the governmental and nongovernmental sectors. Casals and Associates, Inc. implements civic participation and oversight activities, applying their expertise in working with host governments, civil society, and international donors on transparency and good governance, peace and democracy, and other sustainable development challenges. Development & Training Services, Inc. (dts), an 8(a) certified woman-owned SDB, applies its innovative approaches to integrating gender and youth considerations and concerns of under represented populations into the design, implementation and evaluation of programs under the GCSS. Freedom House leads Consortium efforts related to democracy activists and human rights. With over a dozen offices spread over four continents, Freedom House brings a network of front-line democracy reformers to the GCSS. The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) provides expertise in legal and regulatory frameworks in the not-for-profit sector, and will provide technical and research assistance to support the reform of laws affecting CSOs. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) implements civic education activities to promote effective citizen participation and promote the establishment of civic culture, providing the highest quality technical assistance and research to promote the active engagement of citizens with their governments. The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) is GCSS s lead partner for work with trade unions, and actively fights for worker rights and labor standards through its participation in and leadership of CSO coalitions around the world, close collaboration with trade unions and other CSOs and ongoing dialogue with governments. The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) leads the Consortium s media and freedom of information activities, and has global experience working with and bringing together media lawyers, regulators, journalists, editors and owners, advertising and other business-side managers, journalism educators, professional associations and industry organizations. Management Systems International (MSI) leads program design and learning activities for the Consortium and develops civil society tools and conduct civil society assessments around the world, as well as cross-sectoral large and small scale evaluations and trainings. Resource Partners Depending upon the direction and needs of USAID, GCSS resource partners may be called upon on a shortor long-term basis to support Associate Awards. The GCSS Resource Partners include: The American University s Center for Global Peace contributes to the identification of and support for measures to restore and enhance peace. Center activities focus on the interdependent global system, identifying common interests, and working toward common security. The Carter Center (TCC) is a trusted broker for peace, serving as an alternative channel for dialogue and negotiation for high level track-3 diplomacy. The International Youth Foundation provides technical training and life skills, entrepreneurship training, and opportunities for internships and apprenticeships to former child soldiers, trafficked youth and refugees. The Wilson Center conducts path-breaking studies of the breakdown of democratic regimes, transitions from authoritarianism, challenges to the consolidation of democratic rule, decentralization, citizenship, and the relationship between democratization and internal armed conflict. YouthBuild International addresses political violence and youth participation, gang prevention, child combatants, and refugees by providing job training and employment. USAID 17 Missions as of May 2014 COUNTERPART INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS 9 consortium partners 5 resource partners LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS 2,956 local organizations reached under Associate Awards GLOBAL PARTNERS 23,000 local & regional partners worldwide BENEFICIARIES The LWA has reached 5,205,835 people across the globe Building the capacity of local organizations and citizen leaders in a meaningful and impactful way is at the core of Counterpart s programming. The GCSS LWA is an extraordinary vehicle for out-of-the-box design and implementation of programs for USAID, Counterpart, and Consortium partners that set the definitive learning and collaboration agenda for the larger development community. Alex Sardar, Vice President of Programs, Counterpart International 4 Global Civil Society Strengthening LWA

4 GCSS Global Expertise & Services Enhancing Civic Participation Civil Society Legal and Regulatory Frameworks. Establish legal and regulatory frameworks that protect and promote civil society and civic participation. Civil Society Capacity for Democratic Processes. Strengthen CSO capacity for policy analysis, advocacy, coalition-building, internal governance, membership representation and services, and engage in other activities aimed at fostering more peaceful and democratic societies. Citizen Participation and Oversight. Increase citizen participation in policy and decision-making processes, service delivery, resource allocation and oversight of public institution. Conduct broader initiatives to create more peaceful, democratic and pluralistic societies. Civic Education and Democratic Culture. Strengthen political and civic culture to promote democratic institutions and processes, active citizen participation, civic skills and attitudes. Democratic Trade Unions. Develop and strengthen independent and democratic trade/labor unions and federations to promote international core labor standards. The Counterpart Local Government Strengthening Project (LGSP), funded by the GCSS LWA, was a short-term, modestly funded project that continues to have a positive impact. When I attend governance meetings among donors, the deference paid to me is due in no small part to the fine work performed by Counterpart at a critical moment in Chad s democratization process. Program Design and Learning Sector Assessments and Program Design. Develop and conduct needs assessments, baseline studies, targeted evaluations, special studies and other information-gathering activities specifically for the design, monitoring and evaluation of USG-funded programs. Best Practices. Develop and disseminate best practices and lessons learned, test demonstration and pilot models, and prepare strategic plans and other short-term programming activities. New Approaches. Disseminate technical materials through paper and internet publications, public forums and other related events to improve civil society and the media s understanding of the program area. CSO Capacity for Information Sharing. Augment CSO capacities to share information for better learning, especially through the internet and other electronic media. Develop training materials and modules for stakeholders and development practitioners. Cross-Cutting Themes Community Mobilization. Strengthen the capacity of civic groups, community-based organizations, professional associations and advocacy groups to contribute to an active and vibrant civil society. Youth. Implement programs, partnerships and policies that actively and constructively involve young people, while helping them to develop the skills, attitudes and knowledge they need to become active members of society. Conflict Mitigation and Transformation. Work to avert imminent violence or the escalation of a dispute into a violent encounter by identifying and addressing the root causes and triggers of conflict. Mitigate ongoing violence and address its immediate aftermath. Labor. Serve as a watchdog for labor rights, markets and governance including as it relates to labor migration and trafficking. Support worker rights, labor organizations, and trade unions, among others. Strengthening Media and Freedom of Information Enabling Environment for Independent Media. Strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks to enable the growth of independent media and greater free expression in traditional and new media formats. Media Professional and Institutional Capacity. Enhance the technical and theoretical professional capacity of the media sector through hands-on training, consulting and mentoring. Media Sustainability. Build financially sustainable media sectors through activities that enhance both the economic viability of media enterprises and an overall environment that supports the development of sustainable media. Media-Sector CSOs and Other Support Institutions. Support independent media by strengthening media sector CSOs and related groups/activities, including internet-based networking initiatives and regional initiatives. Leslie E. McBride, USAID/Chad Private, Public and/or Community Media Outlets and Infrastructure. Increase the number of print, broadcast, online and new media sources delivering reliable and objective news. Upgrade the technical capacity of public and private news outlets. Create community media outlets for greater local access to news and information, especially from independent sources. Government Communications. Provide technical assistance to help governments develop and implement public relations strategies and public information campaigns to increase transparency, build public awareness of reform efforts and enable citizen engagement with government. New Media and Information and Communications Technologies. Assist civil society organizations, media and individuals in utilizing new media technologies to enhance their communication, coordination and/or security efforts. 2,956 NEARLY THREE THOUSAND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS have been empowered as a result of LWA programming since Global Civil Society Strengthening LWA Counterpart International 7

5 GCSS Advantages GCSS Performance GCSS Associate Awards Offer Unique Procurement Advantages 1. Simplified Procurement Process. Missions can avoid the many months necessary to tender a solicitation and review submissions. 2. Quick Access to World-Class Civil Society Implementers. USAID has access to implementers with: 290 combined years of experience strengthening civil society and media; complementary capacities across the core program elements of the GCSS LWA; and a breadth of geographic coverage and contextual knowledge in each of the five Foreign Assistance Framework country contexts. 3. Freedom to Select. USAID may select any one or a mix of Consortium partners based on their core competencies, regional experience, strategic linkages with local partners, and ability to rapidly provide top notch expert staff for collaborative design of civil society, 4. Access to a Global Information Portal and MIS. The GCSS Connect website provides real-time access to program performance, local partner networks and program resources globally. 5. Flexible Implementation Window. Associate Awards can be issued for anywhere from one week to five years and can be issued at any time during the five-year life of the Leader Award, right up to the last day. 6. A One-Stop Shop. Program design, implementation and evaluation capabilities are conveniently located under one funding mechanism. 7. Responsiveness. The range of partners within the LWA allows for a streamlined process for rapid deployment of technical teams and program start up. 8. Accountability. GCSS implementers are directly accountable to the USAID Mission or Bureau that issues the award. 9. Global Coverage. GCSS implementing partners have active programs and/or offices in 127 countries on six continents around the globe. 10. USAID Forward. The GCSS LWA is a mechanism through which local partners can be prepared for direct receipt of USG funds through a combination of institutional strengthening interventions and small grants. $148M HAS BEEN AWARDED to the Counterpart Consortium through the LWA Counterpart and our consortium have managed the successful design of new programs in as few as 10 days following receipt of an RFA, making the GCSS LWA one of the most expedient mechanisms for civil society programming currently available to USAID. Sibel Berzeg, Vice President, Civil Society, Counterpart International Successes To date, Counterpart has implemented seventeen associate awards under the LWA that have focused substantially on civil society capacity building. Afghanistan. Counterpart has partnered with 19 Afghan Intermediary Support Organizations to support a national network of over 400 civil society organizations. Kazakhstan. Counterpart is using its signature capacity building approach to help 13 CSOs in Kazakhstan become eligible for direct contracting with USAID and other international donors. India. Melanne Verveer, the US Ambassador at Large for Global Women s Issues, commended the collaboration between government and civil society to elevate gender and health issues at the individual, community and state levels in a program to counter gender-based violence (GBV) under Counterpart and IFES program to support women s empowerment in India. Sector Trends The LWA has become an important vehicle for implementing different types of programs that align with USAID s priorities. Several trends have emerged in the different program descriptions that reflect specific USAID priorities. Gender. The Women s Participation Program in Azerbaijan is supporting advocacy coalitions to advance improved implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Elections and Civic Engagement. In Chad, the Promoting Elections, Accountability and Civic Engagement program promotes broader citizen participation in democratic processes through peaceful, free and fair legislative and presidential elections. ICT. The Information Security Coalition project is enhancing cyber-security practices of civil society organizations, human rights activists and media organizations by linking them with a nascent network of individuals and groups at the forefront of the information security field. Accountability and Transparency. In Honduras, the Citizen Participation for Responsive Governance program is increasing the transparency and accountability of public institutions through support for civil society-led initiatives. Youth Development. Programs in Tajikistan, Sudan, and Honduras all include a focus on youth development. Tajikistan aims to improve youth civic engagement and leadership, while the program in Sudan focuses on developing youth support organizations. In Honduras, LWA activities seek to prevent at-risk youths from being recruited into local gangs. 1,129 Number 2,956 Number 5.2M Number of small grants awarded to communities under the LWA of local organizations strengthened since 2009 of people reached by LWA programming since Global Civil Society Strengthening LWA Counterpart International 9

6 GCSS Process Simple Process to Access GCSS Implementers and Services USAID develops a program description STEP 1 Prepare Program Description. The USAID Mission or Office develops a Program Description that provides background on the country program s technical objectives. The Program Description describes the objectives of the activity, indicates relevant gender-based constraints and steps to be taken to mitigate them, and designates an Activity Manager in the relevant Mission or Office. STEP 2 Obtain Approval & Issue Request for Application. The Mission submits the Program Description to the Agreement Officer s Representative (AOR) in DCHA/ DG for review. If the AOR determines that the proposed program is applicable to the objectives of the GCSS, he will approve the Program Description. After receiving approval, the Mission s Agreement Officer forwards the Program Description to Counterpart International and requests an application Obtain AOR approval & submit RFA to Counterpart 03 Counterpart submits an application 04 Agreement Officer issues an award STEP 3 Review & Fine Tune Application. Counterpart International will submit an application (including a description of activities, a detailed budget and other documents as requested) to the Mission s Agreement Officer for the Associate Award. After review of the application, the Agreement Officer will respond directly to Counterpart with approval or suggested revisions. STEP 4 Issue Award. Upon conclusion of discussions, the Agreement Officer will issue an Associate Award. IREX is always seeking new, innovative and effective mechanisms to work with USAID, and the GCSS LWA has proved to be just such a tool: enabling us to design and launch new programs in as few as 4 weeks. Mark Whitehouse, Vice President for Media, International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) GCSS Participating Countries Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Cambodia Cameroon Honduras India Kazakhstan Kenya Lebanon Malawi Moldova Papua New Guinea Russia Sudan Syria Tajikistan Timor Leste Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine United States Venezuela Zimbabwe 10 Global Civil Society Strengthening LWA

7 Contacts US Agency for International Development Patricia (Patty) Mira-Hunter Democracy Officer, Civil Society and Media Team United States Agency for International Development USAID/DCHA/DRG/CSM Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Tel: (1) Cell: (1) Sibel Berzeg Vice President, New Business Development Technical Director, GCSS LWA 2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 301 Arlington, VA Tel: (1) Fax: (1) The Global Civil Society Strengthening Consortium is the Leader With Associates Cooperative Agreement No. DFD-A , funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Photography on page 2 and 7 permission given by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Design and inspiration by Double-0 Marketing