RFI_localworks_philanthropy.pdf

Request for information # 72016819RFI003

This Request for Information (RFI) is to inform interested organizations of upcoming

“Localworks – Community Philanthropy” activities.

This RFI seeks statements from capable and eligible local entities that are interested in partnering with USAID in achieving the results of these activities.

This RFI also seek comments from local philanthropic organizations engaged in local giving in

BiH, as final beneficiaries of these activities.

If interested in this RFI, your organization is requested to provide an expression of interest, experience in similar interventions and whether your organization can accomplish the work listed in some areas or in all three areas of intervention. Comments on the RFI from non-eligible organizations are also welcome.

I. Local entity definition

The definition of “local entity” means an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:

(1) Is legally organized under the laws of BiH;

(2) Has as its principal place of business or operations in BiH;

(3) Is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of BiH; and

(4) Is managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country receiving assistance.

II. Purpose and interventions of Localworks Community Philanthropy

The purpose of this Community Philanthropy Activity is to enhance the culture of local philanthropy in BiH as a tool towards self-reliance of local development actors. The goal of the activity is to increase civic participation in local philanthropy across BiH through creation of an environment that enables both formal and informal groups of individuals engage in positive change in their communities.

To reach the stated goal, USAID plans to award three awards for the following three activities:

Activity 1: Philanthropy infrastructure development / common platform

USAID sees philanthropy infrastructure as physical infrastructure (new coordination/intermediate institutions, systems and resources) and soft infrastructure

(relationships, culture, social norms). Applicants will be asked to propose the best composition of activities and mechanisms that would lead towards building trust and relationships within and among different local actors (nonprofits, private companies, government institutions and citizens). This will include strengthening dialogue, partnerships and platforms between civil society, private sector actors, and government on issues related to advancing the ecosystem for local giving in BiH.

USAID is interested to support creative ways for engaging the local private sector to support civil society initiatives in solving community problems, and working with the media and journalists on improving reporting on giving and philanthropic achievements in BiH.

USAID expects this activity to achieve the following results:

1.1. Established credible, locally led, sustainable and publicly shared system for collecting and analyzing data on the state of philanthropy in BiH;

1.2. Established cross-sectoral philanthropic networks (for experience sharing, joint actions, piloting new philanthropy services with tested sustainability models).

1.3. Increased cooperation with and engagement of local private business in the philanthropy infrastructural systems.

ACTIVITY 2: Increased and more transparent culture of giving among citizens, companies and nonprofits

In order to improve the culture of giving among BiH public it is necessary to increase transparency and accountability of given donations. This Activity will provide technical assistance and capacity building to local foundations on how to build wider public support for giving, through creative advocacy, outreach campaigns and the engagement of respected public figures. Very important part of this component will be on establishing system(s) that ensure promotion of results, communication/feedback looping between CSOs and communities regarding philanthropic initiatives, and transparent and accountable reporting.

USAID expects this activity to achieve the following results:

2.1. Established accountability system that builds public confidence in philanthropy and civil society;

2.2. Raised public awareness and engagement in specific philanthropic campaigns;

2.3. Increased capacity of local partners, especially local business sector to engage effectively in local giving, mobilize local resources, and promote a strong culture of giving.

Activity 3: Enabling Legal and Policy Environment

This Activity will work with all relevant stakeholders on identifying opportunities for the advancement of relevant legal and policy frameworks that influence the wider ecosystem for giving, which may include issues such as tax incentives, harmonization of existing laws, or the integration of reporting requirements.

This Activity will support relevant research and analyses to inform policy proposals and identify shared points of interest among sectors. These analyses will include, for example, cost-benefit analysis, regional best practices, looking ahead at EU policy on Corporate Social Responsibility

(CSR), Philanthropy, civil society etc.

This Activity will provide technical assistance in guiding the development and/or improving legislative and regulatory frameworks for different forms of giving. Finally, this component will include support to local actors to conduct relevant advocacy initiatives for reforms regarding the advancement of the enabling environment for giving that capitalize on shared interest points of citizens, the private sector, civil society and government.

USAID expects this activity to achieve the following results:

3.1. Joint policy proposals for legal, regulatory and policy changes generated through participatory cross-sectoral dialogue;

3.2. Specific recommendations for improving legislative and regulatory frameworks for different forms of giving proposed to legislators.

3.3. Increased participation of local business sector in activities aimed at creating an enabling legal and policy environment for local giving.

Evaluation Criteria:

Please see below draft evaluation criteria for your information and comments/suggestions:

Activity 1: Philanthropy infrastructure development / common platform

Instructions:

1. The plan to create a platform/space for a country-wide network which will serve as a hub for coordination between local foundations and other local actors including local businesses.

2. Sustainability Plan

Evaluation Criteria:

1. The extent to which the plan is realistic, feasible and comprehensive

2. The extent to which the sustainability plan is realistic, feasible and comprehensive

ACTIVITY 2: Increased and more transparent culture of giving among citizens, companies and nonprofits

Instructions:

1. No more than five creative ideas which would be applicable to BiH and can be sustained.

2. Provide experience and a plan based on experience that shows an understanding of the context and situation in BiH and the way to transform the culture into one of giving experience gaining trust of the local people, businesses, and foundations.Also, show experience doing public awareness to help foundations obtain local resources

(fundraising, volunteering, etc.) for public goods.

Evaluation criteria:

1. Extent to which ideas are creative, applicable to BiH and can be instilled and sustained in BiH

2. Extent to which past experience can be used to increase capacity of foundations in community and trust of local citizens.

Activity 3: Enabling Legal and Policy Environment

Instructions:

1. Provide current state of affairs in legislation and policy and a plan to organize companies and organizations to agree on priorities on which laws should be changed and how foundations will be engaged to get laws passed.

2. The plan on how to obtain foundations’ support for legislative advocacy campaign.

3. Identified risks ( such as overcoming lack of political will) and mitigation plan.

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Extent to which proposal/application shows understanding and quality plan to develop priorities for philanthropy.

2. The plan on foundations’ support for legislative advocacy campaign is realistic and feasible.

3. The risks and mitigation plans are realistic and feasible.

IV. Limitations pursuant to Localworks Legislation (Section 7080 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235):

1. To be eligible for this program, organizations must not have received $5 million from any

U.S. agency in direct assistance during the past five year period. This does not apply to sub-awards or other indirect assistance.

2. Individual award ceiling is $2 Million. USAID anticipates providing three $2 million awards for the implementation of the above listed Activities.

V. Comments and Capability statement submission instructions:

Please submit your capability statement demonstrating that you possess the requisite capacity for implementing any or all of the above activities. The statement should also contain the affirmation that you are an eligible entity as set forth under section Localworks Legislation

Eligibility Criteria and that you are a local entity per Local Entity Definition above. The statement should be no more than three pages. Submission deadline is November 12, 2019, 11:00 a.m.

Please submit the requested document to Sarajevooaa@usaid.gov. The e-mail should contain the following in the subject: (NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION) Capability Statement in response to RFI # 72016819RFI003.

USAID also seeks comments on this RFI. Please submit your comments and suggestions no later than November 12, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to Sarajevooaa@usaid.gov. The e-mail should contain the following in the subject: Comments in response to RFI # 72016819RFI003.

mailto:Sarajevooaa@usaid.gov mailto:Sarajevooaa@usaid.gov

If you are submitting both comments and capability statement, you can combine them in one submission. The subject line of your e-mail should read (NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION)

Capability statement and comments in response to RFI # 72016819RFI003. Capability statement and comments should be two separate e-mail attachments.

This is not a Request for Proposal or a Request for Application (RFA) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue any solicitation or Notice of Funding

Opportunity, or ultimately to award a contract or assistance agreement on the basis of this RFI, or to pay for any information voluntarily submitted as a result of this request.