Feasibility Study – regional Community of Practice or Network for „CSO capacity development and knowledge exchange on Policy Dialogue”

1. Purpose and Background

An independent evaluation study, commissioned jointly by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the Danish International Development Assistance (Danida) and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) in 2011/ 2012, drew important lessons on why Civil Society engagement in policy dialogue in the Global South is not working effectively, especially when it comes to topics relevant for marginalised population groups. The evaluation team recommended, among others, to dedicate more resources to building Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs’) capacities and to come up with adequate supporting and financing tools for their engagement in policy dialogue.[1] ADA followed up on the recommendations of the independent evaluation and invited Austrian Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) collaborating with CSOs in the Global South to develop a project on CSOs’ engagement in policy dialogue.

Since 2014 five Austrian NGOs have subsequently implemented a consortium project, coordinated by HORIZONT3000 (Austrian Organisation for Development Cooperation), which aims at strengthening the capacities of selected East African partner organisations in policy dialogue engagement. The Consortium Project “CSOs and Policy Dialogue” strives towards contributing to a political environment in East Africa that is directed towards justice and equity by focusing on ways and methods that promote policies in the interest of marginalised populations and disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. A number of CSOs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda (appr. 10) have been trained on approaches, methods and tools of engagement in policy dialogue, have elaborated policy dialogue strategies and have implemented initiatives for policy dialogue.

The current phase of the Policy Dialogue Consortium Project (Phase III, 2020-2022) is focusing on consolidating and institutionalising previous learnings at organizational level, on further supporting partner organisations to be able to influence policies for the benefit of marginalised populations, and on analysing the existing environment for CSO capacity development in policy dialogue, in order to contribute to an inclusive system development in this field.

So far, a limited number of CSOs have benefitted from the project by accessing capacity development in the field of policy dialogue as well as funding to test, apply and consolidate methods and approaches to influence policy processes. The project addressed two major constraints to successful CSO engagement in policy dialogue: i) lack of capacities and ii) lack of resources. While these needs are (partially) met at the level of involved partner organisations for the time of the project, they are still existent in the region and are likely to persist to a certain extent even within targeted partner organisations, as policy dialogue is a complex and ever shifting field. This tendency is reinforced by shrinking spaces for civil society action trends in targeted countries.

Against this background, a system analysis study in 2021 looked closely into the system around policy dialogue and CSO capacity development in Kenya, one of the countries in the project region. A detailed report provided an analysis regarding the political economy context, the different players and stakeholders (incl. ecosystem analysis) as well as the issues at play such as CSO capacities, experience and the funding and supporting environment. The report highlighted the emerging issues stemming out of the overall analysis, as well as recommendations for the way forward to increase the will and/ or skill of stakeholders/ system actors to ensure capacity development in policy dialogue as well as funding from a long-term perspective.

One of the recommendations of the study suggests to work with major players to set up communities of practices to facilitate interactions between different actors (practitioners and other stakeholders) that can play a role in developing capacities of CSOs for policy dialogue. The participants of the project decided to follow up on this specific recommendation in more details by hiring a consultant that will conduct a feasibility study.

Reference document (which can be shared upon request):

• Acepis for HORIZONT3000 – Final Report (2021), “Developing CSOs Capacity for Public Policy Dialogue in Kenya – A System Analysis”

2. Audience and Use

The feasibility study is supposed to serve as input and provide a sound basis for consortium partners in East Africa and Austria for the development of the next project phase. The study shall inform about prerequisites, opportunities and risks with regard to the proposal of the set-up of a CoP or network in Eastern Africa to strengthen „CSO capacity development and knowledge exchange for Policy Dialogue“and shall provide recommendations for concrete steps on the way forward.

3. Objectives

The objective of the study is to gain deeper insights into the validity of and implementation options for the set- up of a regional[2] Community of Practice or Network for „CSO capacity development and knowledge exchange for Policy Dialogue “in Eastern Africa (focus on Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) and the concrete potential of the consortium to play a defining role in such development.

I) Part One of the study should cover the mapping of relevant stakeholders in Uganda and Tanzania, complementary to the system analysis study conducted in Kenya in 2021, to gain a more holistic picture for the region and the specificities in the countries.

Specific aspects to be addressed, but not limited to, are as follows:

· Based on and comparing to the insights of the system analysis study conducted for Kenya, analyse what defines the given political economy context (incl. governance structures) as well as the main constraints regarding CSO engagement in policy dialogue in Uganda and Tanzania specifically with regard to capacity development (incl. funding thereof) and funding of CSO policy dialogue initiatives?

· Who are the main players and actors in the ecosystem in Uganda and Tanzania who are already building the capacity of CSOs and/ or provide funding in that field, or have the conditions and interest to do so in the future?

II) Part Two of the study should provide insights and analysis and inform the consortium partners specifically for the proposal of the development of a (regional) CoP or network, by identifying prerequisites, opportunities and risks.

Specific aspects to be addressed, but not limited to, are as follows:

· Exploring structures and experiences of similar CoP/ networks/ platforms in Eastern Africa to avoid any duplication and on the other hand to collect any lessons learned and good practices. If similar CoP/ networks/ platforms exist already, provide recommendations if there are any opportunities for consortium partners to “piggyback” on or engage with more systematically.

· Clarifying if there is need and interest of different actors from diverse sectors (beyond the consortium project) in a respective CoP/ network (including the results from the system analysis study Kenya).

· Assessing different options for a new CoP or network regarding operational and geographical modalities and financial requirements (economic and legal feasibility), as well as relevance and sustainability. Highlight some resource mobilisation options and potential donors for a CoP/ network, moving forward.

· Assess preferences of stakeholders (consortium partners and selected other stakeholders) on the model of the CoP or network, the services they would expect and their available resources/ organisational potentials to create/participate in a CoP or network. Assess which stakeholders should, can and would take ownership on creating and managing a CoP or network

· Develop recommendations and action points to the consortium project to move forward.

4. Scope and Focus

The study should keep in mind and consider CSOs at different levels (grassroots, county, district, national, regional) in Eastern Africa who actively engage in policy dialogue (incl. but not limited to target groups of the PD project) as well as relevant system stakeholders/ actors (service providers, research institutions, networks, umbrella organisations, donors, development partners and others) who are providing training, capacity development and funding to CSOs.

While capacity development for policy makers is considered equally important for policy dialogue, the given study will focus on capacity development of CSOs. Given that the consortium project “CSOs and Policy Dialogue” focuses on enabling policy dialogue in the interest of marginalised populations and disadvantaged or vulnerable groups, the study shall pay foremost attention to CSOs supporting respective target groups.

The study shall apply a gender and diversity lens throughout the whole study. The study is expected to consider gender and diversity aspects when collecting data, analysing stakeholders, (power) relationships and constraints as well as formulating recommendations.

5. Methodology

The methodology including conceptual framework and approach as well as appropriate data collection methods are to be suggested by the consultant(s), and subsequently fine-tuned and agreed with consortium partners.

6. Expected Deliverables

• An inception report, including a detailed work plan and further relevant details regarding the conceptual framework and methods to conduct the feasibility study, structure of the study report as well as an appropriate feedback process for the draft report. **

• A draft study report, based on desk research as well as field research, including main provisional findings, analysis as well as stakeholder analysis maps, project specific recommendations and annex documents incl. any relevant data compilations.

• Presentation of the main findings and initial recommendations (based on the draft report) in the course of a virtual formulation/ planning workshop for a new project phase (2023-2025) of the consortium project. This workshop is currently planned for one day between 18^th and 20^th of May 2022, it is expected that all consortium partners will participate.

• Feedback process and final report: coordinating the feedback process as agreed; writing of the final report (max. 25 – 30 pages excl. annexes) incorporating feedback to the draft report as well as an executive summary (2-3 pages), table of content, list of abbreviations and glossary.

7. Timetable

The estimated timetable is envisaged as follows, to be finalised upon contract signature:**

· Deadline for submission of offers – > 20^th of March 2022

· Screening of offers, pos. interviews, contracting -> 31st of March 2022

· Inception report -> 12^th of April 2022

· Draft report-> 12^th of May 2022

· Feedback/ validation process -> end of May 2022

· Final report -> mid-June 2022

8. Budget and Payment Schedule

The total budget should not exceed EUR 12.000 and needs to be in line with the suggested methodology and conceptual framework.

This value must cover all costs relating to the assignment including fees, taxes, food, accommodation, national/international transportation, office materials, insurances, etc.;

Any relevant meetings or workshops must be included in the budget and should be easy to be accommodated by the partner organisations.

Payment of the fee will be made in three tranches:

· 30% at signature of the contract;

· 30% upon submission of the draft report;

· 40% after submission of the final report.

9. Skills and Qualifications of Consultant(s)

In case the study team consists of more than one person with different professional qualifications, a leader of the study team shall be appointed. The following skills and qualifications are considered as relevant:

· Researcher with experience in feasibility studies (in the context of development cooperation projects),

· Experience with capacity development, systemic approaches, networks as well as participatory approaches and methods,

· Experience in East Africa incl. knowledge of the political, social and economic framework conditions,

· Experience in working or collaborating with Civil Society Organisations,

· Sector-specific knowledge on policy dialogue and advocacy.

[1] ITAD/ COWI: Joint Evaluation of Support to Civil Society Engagement in Policy Dialogue. Synthesis Report, November 2012.

[2] The study should focus on the proposal of a CoP/ Network on a regional level, but might also look into alternatives at national level, in case that regional feasibility is not evident.