Grant Competition: Regional Media Monitoring - Georgia's 2014 Local Elections - Ref: RFA-14-084.

Organizational Background:

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is an independent, non-governmental organization providing professional support to electoral democracy. Through field work, applied research and advocacy, IFES strives to promote citizen participation, transparency and accountability in political life and civil society.

Since 1995, IFES has conducted a range of assistance activities to support the development of democratic elections and political processes in Georgia. IFES supported the country's institutions and citizenry in building democracy through improvements in election law and administration, civil society development, rule of law and good governance. IFES continues to work closely with election officials, political parties, media, educational institutions, and the non-governmental sector through each election cycle.

Currently, IFES is implementing the Increased Trust in the Electoral Process (ITEP) project, a four-year initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This project is aimed at increasing trust in the electoral process among the public and political participants over three election cycles - 2012 parliamentary elections, 2013 presidential election and 2014 local elections. The project involves close collaboration with the Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC) on matters of capacity building and transparency, technical support to Georgian civil society organizations and media outlets, work with political parties on election law reform, efforts to improve voter access, and extensive voter and civic education, focusing on minorities and vulnerable groups.

Invitation for Grant Competition:

IFES invites non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations and private, for-profit organizations and companies registered in Georgia to submit applications for media monitoring projects ahead of local elections on June 15, 2014 that will contribute to a more transparent and open election environment by tracking and assessing information about the election and candidates as reported through the Georgian mass media.

IFES plans to issue a sub-award for monitoring political and election-related media coverage of at least twelve regional TV channels; project budgets should not exceed 50,000.00 GEL.

IFES intends to fund one project under this grant competition.

Recipient of the sub-award will produce and present to the public qualitative and quantitative monitoring reports in both Georgian and English languages on a bi-weekly basis (two reports) for the first four weeks of the project, on a weekly basis (three reports) during the three weeks preceding Election Day and produce and present a final report on the whole reporting periods.

Please see the attached requested timeframe of the reports.

The final report should be presented at a public event and recipient will ensure strong coverage by local and national media and participation of civil society organizations, experts, political parties, government representatives, international community.

Sub-award funds may be used only for the activities directly related to the implementation of the sub-award project, which will be funded under this grant competition. IFES reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

Project Description:

The goal of the grant competition is to improve the overall quality of elections by tracking the information conveyed by Georgian broadcast media outlets, thereby providing an objective assessment the quantity and type of information reaching voters. This will be accomplished during the pre-election period through quantitative and qualitative media monitoring.

The goal of assessing media's objectivity and engagement vis-à-vis candidates will be accomplished through the monitoring of news, political and other popular programs on twelve or more regional media TV channels, located in different parts of the country, during prime time (19:00 - 24:00), namely:

** Monitoring of local/regional news programs;

** Monitoring of political programs, talk shows, social and other popular programs;

** Monitoring of "hidden ads" in programs such as news programs, talk TV shows, social, and other popular programs.

Duration of the Project:

Project activities shall start by April 25, 2014, and finish on June 25, 2014. Project reporting and project closeout shall conclude by June 28.

Eligibility:

Eligible organizations include:

** Georgian non-governmental not-for-profit organizations,

** Georgian private for-profit organizations and companies.

Applicants must:

** Have a strong, established financial management and reporting system, and

** Not be affiliated with any political party or engaged in any political activity.

Prior experience and demonstrated expertise in implementation of related projects, and prior history of successful implementation of project grants and subawards is a plus. Proposals submitted to IFES under this competition must be original and the sole work of the applicant organizations.

Decision-making:

To ensure an objective and non-discriminatory selection process, proposals will be reviewed by a board comprised of IFES staff and local experts. During the review process, additional information may be requested. The applicant will be asked to present the requested information within two days of the request. Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the IFES, nor does it commit IFES to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal.

Selection Criteria:

The following criteria will be used in assessing project proposals according to the relevant areas:

** Proven experience in election-related projects;

** Proposed innovations and demonstrated ability to go beyond traditional channels of communication, learning and experience building;

** A feasible and detailed implementation plan;

** A competitive budget with efficient and reasonable cost structure;

** Goals and objectives which are achievable within the allocated timeframe;

** Professional monitoring and evaluation mechanisms using performance indicators to measure interim and final results;

** Quality of media monitoring methodology to be employed;

** Vision and clear plan on how to disseminate media monitoring results among public, stakeholders and media, and raise awareness about the project it's outcomes;

** A clear, logical connection between planned activities and expected results;

** Organization's capacity to implement the project in a timely and effective manner, and comply with the managerial, financial and administrative requirements of the grant.

Applicants are advised to follow the Project Proposal Format guidelines carefully to ensure they meet the above criteria. Please download attached Application forms and budget templates.

Applicants must submit:

** A 1-page executive summary in English and Georgian;

** A detailed proposal in accordance with the Project Proposal Format;

** A detailed implementation plan, including results dissemination plan;

** A monitoring and evaluation plan, including results dissemination targets;

** A media monitoring methodology including hypothesis, sampling plan, variables, data collection and analysis (software packages), relationship of quantitative data with qualitative analysis;

** A detailed itemized budget without VAT or taxes and explanatory budget notes;

** A copy of the applicant's registration certificate;

** CVs of key project participants (project director, finance manager, experts, coordinators);

** Two letters of reference from other organizations and/or donors that have worked with applicant organization;

** Any other supporting document that applicant organization feels will strengthen the application; and,

** If applicable, applicant should submit additional information about other projects (project summary and budget) on similar topics, submitted or already funded by other donors.

** IFES will consider applications in English, Georgian or Russian.

Applicants are advised to confirm that their applications were received by IFES. Applicants should submit clarification requests via email to IFES Georgia Subawards Manager Eka Chemia at grants@ifes.ge

All the materials and documents submitted as part of this competition become the property of IFES and will not be returned to the applicant. IFES guarantees the confidentiality of applications.

Please note that selected organizations will be subject to a pre-award audit to determine fiscal responsibility and ensure adequacy of financial controls and accounting systems.

Applications must be submitted via email on or prior to April 2, 2014 by 18:00 Georgia time to IFES Georgia Subawards Manager Eka Chemia at grants@ifes.ge. Applicants must confirm with IFES whether their e-mail submissions were successfully received by the required due date.

In addition to the email submission specified above, applicants should submit six hard copies of their proposal and required documents, along with a CD containing the whole application, in a sealed envelope addressed to: Subawards Manager, IFES Georgia, 7 Niko Nikoladze St, Tbilisi, 0108, Georgia. Envelopes must specify: "Regional Media Monitoring 2014." The hard copies and CD-ROM must be received by the above-mentioned individual within three (3) business days after the close date of the RFA. Late proposals will not be considered. IFES will consider applications in English, Georgian or Russian.

Question and Answer Session for Potential Applicants:

IFES will organize a Question and Answer Session for Potential Applicants on March 25, 2014 13:00 at IFES' office, which is located at: 7 Niko Nikoladze Street, 1st floor, 0108, Tbilisi.

Please see the attached Competition Schedule. Please note that these dates are subject to change.

Contact Information:

To request an application form, please send a request via e-mail to IFES Subawards Manager, Eka Chemia, at grants@ifes.ge; request it by telephone at 995 (32) 2999309 or visit the IFES office.

source: jobs.ge