In the framework of the project “Support to Electoral Reform in North Macedonia” supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the implementing partner – International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and its partner, the National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM), open a:

Call for INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES

of political party youth

Guide for applicants

I. Background

“Support to Electoral Reform in North Macedonia” is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), implemented by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and its partner, the National Youth Council of Macedonia (NYCM).

The project aims at more inclusive and democratic electoral processes led by a strengthened election administration and closely monitored by citizens.

A threefold strategic approach has been devised to respond to the needs of the Project:

1. Strengthen the capacities of the election administration (State Election Commission, Municipal Election Commissions and Election Boards) and other institutions that will conduct the elections;
2. Support more citizen-oriented policies and party programs, and research and evidence-based policies;
3. Strengthen the capacities of citizens (especially youth) and local communities to hold parties and elected officials accountable for their promises.

Main beneficiaries of the project are election administration, government agencies and ministries involved in the organization of elections; civil society organizations, voters and citizens in general.

Other key beneficiaries and stakeholders of the project are political parties which propose and if elected, implement programs oriented to the needs of citizens.

The first phase of the project started in August 2019 and is expected to be completed in June 2023.

II. Purpose of this Call

The purpose of this call is to provide support to political party youth (individuals) to plan and realize different innovative initiatives that aim to identify and discuss solutions that respond to needs and concerns of citizens in their communities and thereby bringing positive changes.

It is an opportunity for political party youth to:

STEP 1: Identify a community problem(s) or challenge(s).

STEP 2: Propose solutions for addressing and overcoming the identified problem(s) or challenge(s).

STEP 3: Design and implement innovative initiative that will help the applicant to:

• gather allies for initiating positive local changes and/or
• establish good communication and understanding of the needs of various communities with a particular focus on vulnerable groups including but not limited to women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural/remote communities;
• gather evidence and relevant data about the identified problem/challenge or the proposed solution(s);
• undertake activities that will increase the awareness (of decision makers, relevant stakeholders, political parties, general public, etc.) about the identified challenge and proposed solutions.

The innovative initiatives may focus on areas such as: electoral process in general and/or upcoming local elections, education, youth, employment, social policy, environment, health and others.

Examples of activities within innovative initiative may be:

• Advocacy efforts to present the identified challenge and proposed solution within the political party (relevant party commissions, women and/or youth forums, executive committee, local branches etc.);
• Awareness raising activities such as social media posts, campaigns, dissemination of video material;
• Awareness raising tools to discuss or raise awareness and knowledge about local issues and ways to address them through development, design and printing of various informative, promotional and education materials such as pamphlet, leaflets, short videos, infographics; and development of simple IT aplications aimed to support or facilitate advocacy and/ or awareness raising efforts;
• Research related activities – conducting research (through surveys, interviews and/or focus groups) for data collection and analysis of public opinion on a community issue or solution on the identified topic;
• Organizing events to support the above – training / seminars / forums/ consultative community meetings;

The following initiatives will NOT be supported under this Call:

• Gathering support for or promoting a certain political party/coalition;
• Activities involving or promoting hate speech/misinformation/disinformation;
• Activities that do not comply with government protocols for Covid-19.

III. Time frame for implementing the innovative initiative

The implementation of the innovative initiative should start end November/beginning of December 2020 and be finalized by April 30, 2021. The applicants are required to propose detailed timeline for their implementation, including preparation and reporting phases.

IV. Financial support

The innovative initiatives which will be selected by the Support to Electoral Reforms project, will be financially supported throughout their implementation as per approved budget.

The selected applicants will be provided with an in-kind financial support in the amount between 1,500 CHF up to maximum 3,500 CHF (depending on the complexity and multitude of the proposed activities) to implement the innovative initiatives. The in-kind support means that the project team will be in charge to cover all approved costs (based on supporting documentation), and to make all necessary payments for a successful implementation of the innovative initiatives. The applicant will be responsible to provide receipts and invoices for approved expenses. The organizer of this call has the right to ask for modification of the proposed budgets of the selected/approved applications.

Below is a list of possible eligible expenses that can be supported within the Inovative Initiative scheme:

• Logistical costs for organizing events such as: renting of the event room, equipment, refreshments, travel costs etc.;
• Expenses related to development of simple software/IT applications that will be used in awareness raising/advocacy efforts;
• Expenses for design, printing and disseminating informative/education materials;
• Expenses for preparing and conducting small scale research-based activities (surveys, focus groups, interviews, etc.) at the municipal or local neighborhood level;
• Expenses related to translation and interpretation costs.

V. Application procedure

Information and guidance about the application process for the interested applicants will be provided during October and early November 2020 also through info sessions (on-line or in person, depending on the COVID-19 measures); details about the sessions will be made available on the following link. Please follow it closely.

All interested applicants (individual members of political party youth) shall provide the following documentation:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) with reference details of a member of the political party;
• Fulfilled application and budget form.

NOTE: The application and budget forms are enclosed as separate documentation to this Call.

The deadline for applications is 20 November 2020 by 24:00hrs North Macedonia time. The applications can be submitted only electronically to marijana.janceska@nms.org.mk. The review process of the applications is expected to be finalized by the end of November 2020.

1. Selection Process

The selection process consists of the following steps:

STEP 1: Administrative review

All timely received applications will be checked against the following criteria:

• Format: The application is submitted in the requested application and budget forms and is accompanied by the CV of the applicant and the reference details of a member of a political party;
• Language: The application is submitted in Macedonian or Albanian language
• Submission: The application is submitted by e-mail to janceska@nms.org.mk

The applications that fulfill the requirements under STEP 1 will be qualified for the next step

STEP 2: Evaluation process.

An evaluation committee will assess the applications based on the following criteria

The applications that will successfully pass the second step and have 50 points and above will be invited to next step.

STEP 3: Interview process

During the last step of the selection process, the pre-selected applicants will be invited to an interview (in-person or on-line) to discuss their motivation and commitment to realize the initiative and the support and interest from the political party.

The successful applicants will sign a contract with the project. The decision of the Evaluation Committee is final.

If you have questions about this call, please feel free to contact Marijana Jancheska – marijana.janceska@nms.org.mk, the Grant Coordinator for this Call.

The Application template can be found here.

The Budget form can be found here.