Request for Applications: AIP announces “Empowering CSOs for Enhanced Integrity in Armenia grant
Deadline for Questions: August 2, 2024
Knowledge and clarification session:
Date: August 6, 2024
Time: 15:00 Armenia time
Place: AIP Office (28 Zarobyan street, Yerevan, RA) or online.
Deadline for applications: August 29, 2024 (Application must be received by 18:00 Armenia time)
Application language: English
I. SUMMARY
The Armenia Integrity Project (AIP) is a five-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Dexis Consulting Group. The aim of the project is to reduce opportunities for corruption and reinforce public demand for improved governance and accountability in Armenia through:
- Strengthening corruption prevention institutions and integrity systems.
- Supporting the implementation of specific legal-regulatory measures for corruption
prevention.
- And facilitating a collective citizen action approach to hold national and local level government entities engaged in corruption prevention mutually accountable.
II. GOAL
The Armenia Integrity Project (AIP) is working to strengthen corruption prevention institutions and integrity systems in Armenia. For this objective, AIP is building and strengthening the capacity of the CPC to lead the country’s corruption prevention efforts. In this endeavor, strong and capacitated CSOs can play a key role in supporting the CPC in defining, analyzing, and acting based on relevant collected information to reduce opportunities for corruption, strengthen internal controls and external oversight, and promote integrity throughout the public sector. Recognizing the important power and potential of CSOs and guided by the Armenian Anti-Corruption Strategy action plan for 2023-2026, AIP, together with the CPC, is endorsing efforts to build the capacity of larger CSO community (non-governmental organization), members and affiliates on integrity systems. This long-term approach aims to strengthen public oversight and monitor the implementation of integrity reforms in the country, as well as to sustain corruption prevention mechanisms.
III. PURPOSE
This RFA is seeking organization(s) capable of providing capacity strengthening opportunities to CSOs. These initiatives should aim at enhancing the knowledge and capabilities of CSOs to monitor and report on anti-corruption issues. This RFA aims to empower CSO members and affiliates to meaningfully contribute to integrity reforms, thereby supporting joint efforts to prevent corruption and strengthen integrity systems.
IV. LOCATION OF ACTIVITIES
The geographic focus under consideration can include all of Armenia.
V. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
A proposal under this RFA should include comprehensive trainings for the CSOs, focusing on skills and knowledge transfer intended to prevent corruption, including reducing corruption risks in public administration (i.e. public expenditure tracking or integrity training) and financing political parties. This training should pay special attention to the issue of public integrity.
The trainings should focus on the following:
- Mechanisms for detecting violations of conflict of interest rules, incompatibility requirements and other restrictions (including restriction to receive gifts).
- Legal regulations on conflict of interest.
- Code of conduct (both for public officials and other public servants) as an initial part of the integrity system.
- Integrity verification as a mechanism for corruption prevention.
- Declaration systems as a corruption prevention mechanism.
- Verification of political party annual reports and political party financing as a mechanism to prevent corruption.
- Public expenditure monitoring and tracking.
- Mechanisms for the disclosure of donations, including in-kind donations received by the political parties, their transparency and accountability.
- Strengthening the capacities of CSOs and CSO networks on data mining and analysis techniques for oversight, monitoring, investigative/fact finding actions.
- Strengthening the capacities of CSOs and CSO networks to raise funds for non-formal anti-corruption, education, and public awareness programs for insuring sustainability of efforts.
The training must follow a documented agenda with expected competencies for the trainees and clear learning objectives, including pre- and post-training testing to ensure that competency is achieved.
VI. APPLICANTS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The applicant must be officially registered in Armenia and working in compliance with all applicable civil and fiscal regulations, including, but not limited to pertinent local laws and status. The Armenian organizations such as not-for-profit (public organizations and foundations) organizations and partnerships of non-for-profit-organizations are encouraged to apply.
VII. AWARD INFORMATION
Subject to the availability of funds: Dexis expects to award one Fixed Amount Award grant under this RFA. The estimated total amount available and period of performance for this grant award is: 45,000,000 AMD with a period of performance of up to 14 months.
Dexis reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. Further, Dexis reserves the right to make no awards as a result of this RFA.
VIII. CONTACT INFORMATION
IX. FOR DETAILED RFA AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION
Partnerships & Procurements – Dexis Consulting Group (dexisonline.com)
Empowering CSOs for Enhanced Integrity in Armenia - Career Center