Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Fund Raising Strategies

 1.     Introduction and background  

1.1.          Contracting Authority 

The contracting authority began working in collaboration with public and private institutions of Pakistan in 1982, responding with humanitarian assistance to Afghan refugees fleeing into the country. Together with Pakistani civil society organizations, national partners, academic institutions, and the Government departments, the contracting authority works to implement long-term development and humanitarian programmes in:  

• Cultural Cohesion, Understanding & Diversity  
• Gender Equality, Protection & Respect  
• Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (CR WASH) 

 1.2.          Power to the Youth Project  

The contracting authority is implementing a "Power to the Youth" project funded by the European Union (EU) in collaboration with three partners: This initiative addresses developmental and governance challenges heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project's primary goal is to empower youth, especially those from marginalized groups like young women, people with disabilities, transgenders, and religious minorities. These challenges, exacerbated by the pandemic, are addressed in the districts of Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. In these districts, various barriers hinder the social and economic well-being of vulnerable youth. The cultural norms prevailing in the region often exclude youth from decision-making processes. Moreover, the shrinking space for Civil Society in Pakistan has limited its ability to work on youth empowerment. The project's strategic objectives (SO) are designed to address these issues:

• SO1: Fostering grassroots change and creating an environment that encourages active youth participation at the community and district levels.
• SO2: Linking social empowerment to economic empowerment for low-income vulnerable youth who face difficulties accessing economic opportunities.
• SO3: Providing customized capacity building for CSOs, including community and youth groups, to address governance and developmental challenges arising from COVID-19.

Engagement of CSOs in the Project:

CSOs will collaborate closely with project partners to amplify the visibility of low-income youth in tackling socio-economic challenges arising from COVID-19. The key CSO objectives within the project are as follows:

• Strengthening CSOs to actively engage in improved and inclusive governance and social accountability, fostering connections with government, civil society actors, and stakeholders.
• Supporting youth activism to empower young people as agents of change, particularly in the context of COVID-19 challenges.
• Ensuring CSO support for the advocacy and outreach components of the "Power to the Youth" project during its duration and beyond.

 2.     The purpose of the assignment 

Under the capacity building component of the project, 22 CSOs underwent trainings in 2022 & 2023 to address their specific capacity-building needs, which were identified through a needs assessment process. These trainings focused on various areas including Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), Financial Management and Strategic Planning & Fundraising (SP&FR). Resource Mobilization and fundraising was a component of the training. The CSOs feedback during the earlier training informs that resources mobilization strategy for the CSOs would a good follow up to the training. It will help CSOs to effectively apply the learning they had during the training.

In light of CSOs feedback, the contracting authority aims to acquire services of individual consultant to formulate general fund-raising strategy for the CSOs selected under the EU PTY project. The purpose of the fund-raising strategy is to help CSOs effectively pre-position themselves for different funding opportunities, and to build and manage relationship with the donors for successful funding applications. The strategy should enable CSOs to be successful in competitive application processes. Their strategies should inform CSOs key areas to develop their capacities to growth their programme, and to have an efficient programme growth model in place.

A total of 22 CSOs operating in five districts across two provinces and the Islamabad Capital Territory will benefit from this capacity development initiative. The objective is to empower them to take on more extensive initiatives and actions in support of youth activism. By enhancing the capabilities of these organizations, they will be better equipped to serve and assist low-income and vulnerable communities within their operational areas. This effort will ultimately highlight the valuable contributions of CSOs, working alongside duty bearers, and contribute to dispelling negative perceptions often held towards CSOs in the country. The CSOs will also support and participate in advocacy, youth activism, and community outreach components of PTY.  

The table below will show the district wise distribution:

3.     Specific Objectives of the training component:

The specific objectives of the consultancy are as follows:

-        Development of Fund-Raising Plans for 22 selected CSOs under PTY Project, ensuring that these plans are aligned with Strategic plans, thematic expertise and experience, and local context of aforementioned CSOs Aligning their thematic choices with In-Country donor preferences and formulating their fund-raising plans accordingly.

-        Give an understanding to CSOs on key In-Country donors trends and their strategies for Pakistan in changing funding scenario.

-        Imparting knowledge to the CSOs on best practices adopted to win a proposal.

-        Help CSO have a capacity development plan in place.

-        To collectively explore and harness non-traditional funding models.

4.     Methodology and Scope of Work

The consulting team will conduct in-person interviews with the senior management of each CSO. Necessary information regarding Mission and Vision of CSOs, their strategic plans and current & pipeline portfolio shall be thoroughly reviewed.

The consultant team is expected to conduct thorough donor mapping, aligned with thematic and strategic priorities of CSOs. The team will also review funding strategies and long-term thematic plans of key donors and how their plans could leverage funding for selected CSOs under PTY Project.

Sessions will be held with key management of the CSOs on best practices to win proposal. Particular emphasis will be given on key minimum proposal submission guidelines requested by Institutional Donors.

5.     Expected Deliverables:

The consultant/consulting firm is expected to deliver:

• Submission of Inception report narrating the overall methodology with clearly defined timelines for the deliverables.
• Fund Raising Plans/Strategies of 22 CSOs selected under PTY Project.
• Submission of final consultancy report, depicting CSOs Senior Management feedback on the drafted plans. 

 6.     Roles and Responsibilities

Contracting Authority

• Providing all required documents to the consulting firm/trainer to design and conduct assignments.
• Approval of proposed design, methodologies, tools, and work plan to conduct the assignment.
• Providing guidance to the consultant as and when required.
• Sharing list of 22 CSOs.
• Facilitate consultant meeting with CSOs, with the support of the PTY project Partners.
• Review and provide feedback on training material, inception, and final training reports.
• Processing consultant’s invoice and paying fee as per agreement.

 Consultant/Consulting Firms’ Role:

• Prior approvals on all the delivery contents.
• Ensure quality of work during the implementation of the assignment.
• Seeks guidance as and if required from the designated focal person of the contracting authority for the assignment.
• A firm will comply with applicable policies, protocols, and standards of the EU and contracting authority.
• Produce all deliverables as per the agreed timeline.

  7.     General Provision

 The consulting firm is responsible for managing all logistical arrangements throughout the assignment. The contracting authority does not have an obligation to offer health insurance coverage, particularly in cases of incidents or injuries that might happen during the assignment's duration.

 8.     Team Qualification Criteria:

The following minimum requirements will be considered for the assignment:

• For a firm, registration/licenses are required. The firm’s assignment team must have the following qualifications as lead and co facilitators.

 Lead facilitator

• An individual/ firm Involved in trainings should have a valid qualification/university degree in social sciences etc. A minimum of ten years of experience in formulating fund-raising strategies of the CSOs.  
• Familiar with local cultural and social values, working dynamics of the CSOs.
• Good understanding of the regulatory laws and entities for CSOs operating in Pakistan.
• Consultant/ firm should be familiar with the regulatory laws and entities for CSOs operating in Pakistan.
• Effective communication skills in English, Urdu, and local language.

 Co-facilitator

• At least a master’s degree, in any social science, preferably including gender, governance and leadership, or social work.
• At least five (5) years of experience of conducting training and assessments.
• Good analytical skills.
• Familiar with local cultural and social values, working dynamics of the CSOs.
• Good understanding of the regulatory laws and entities for CSOs operating in Pakistan.
• Effective communication skills in English, Urdu, and local language.
• Ability to produce professionally written, analytical reports in English.

 9.     Type of Contract and Payment:

Place of assignment 

• The training sessions will occur at two venues: Hyderabad/Karachi and Islamabad, within the Capital Territory.

Travel 

• The consultants will be visiting both locations to conduct training. The contracting authority will not be responsible for travel arrangements.  

 Duration 

The duration of the assignment will be 45 days starting after signing the contract by both parties.

 10.  Submission of EOI and Contract Details

The applicants are requested to share their EOI with no more than three pages including Lead Facilitator’s CV (CURRICULUM VITAE) and details of relevant experiences. The Lead Facilitator should provide detailed CVs of his/her team as co-facilitator, as applicable. The application/EOI should include:

• CV with the cover letter outlining required skills and qualifications.
• Financial proposal (in separate file)

 The consultant is expected to present a financial proposal encompassing the training components mentioned earlier (reference # 4.1.) for the 22 CSOs. This proposal must cover trainer fees, travel expenses to designated districts, and arrangements for training logistics, including manual development and content delivery, facilitated by the consulting firm.