HIVOS & ARTICLE19 Call for proposals: Civic Engagement for Open Contracting

Hivos and ARTICLE 19 are currently seeking proposals for its global programme on Open Contracting Data that builds the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), media, entrepreneurs or social-start-ups in analyzing public contracting data, for lobby and advocacy purposes.

Are you involved in a project, initiative or organisation aimed at improving the transparency and accountability of public institutions in Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi or Guatemala? Do you have experience in the field of open contracting? Could you use advice on concrete ways to positively adjust the trajectory and outcomes of your project? Hivos and ARTICLE 19 are offering a programme that you might be interested in!

The programme is looking for proposals that:

• show a long-term vision and action plan to solve a specific problem related to open contracting in one of the pre-selected sectoral focus areas
• have a clear strategy on combining open contracting data with lobby and advocacy
• engage with different stakeholders and build coalitions for lobby and advocacy

Priority Areas

Priority will be given to projects which focus on one of the following sectors:

• Constructions
• Extractives, forestry
• Health
• Education
• Energy/Climate
• Food Security, water

Benefits

• In the course of six to nine months, selected partner organizations will receive a package of support, mentorship and training tailored to their capacities and needs to effectively engage with open contracting in their country.
• The support package aims to enable the partner organization to design and implement their project proposal and to use open contracting data for lobby and advocacy purposes.
• Please note that this is an offer for a partnership, not a funding opportunity.
• Selected partners will receive a support package that includes intensive mentoring, training, expert advice and support on technology and data, networking, matchmaking, help with convening government and other stakeholders, and coordination of national and regional lobby and advocacy.
• Should seed funding be required, Hivos might be able to offer funding of up to EURO 10,000 per year to selected partners.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for application you must be a Civil Society Organization, entrepreneur, social start-up or media organization registered in Indonesia, The Philippines, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi or Guatemala.

Priority will be given to project proposals that demonstrate:

• A clear, long-term vision and action plan to solve a specific problem related to open contracting [have a bright vision]
• An ability to tackle a specific problem in one of the sectoral focus areas [be focused]
• A clear strategy on how to combine open contracting data with lobby and advocacy [be problem focused]
• An ambitious but realistic implementation plan [design user centred]
• A willingness to visualize data and use technology in a comprehensible and manageable way [keep it simple]
• A willingness to adjust, expand, and reuse existing databases and software [don’t reinvent the wheel]
• A willingness to use open source software that makes reuse easy [help others]
• A plan to engage with different stakeholders and build coalitions for lobby and advocacy purposes [build coalitions to amplify impact]

How to Apply

• Applicants can Apply here by 15 February, 2017.
• Applications may be submitted in English and Spanish. See full details of call for proposals (in English).
  For questions or more information about the programme, contact Anna Kiebert (akiebert@hivos.org) or visit openupcontracting.org

For more information, please visit Call for Proposals.