{"id":111931,"date":"2017-02-22T12:47:55","date_gmt":"2017-02-22T12:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ucmc.org.ua\/?p=937"},"modified":"2017-03-12T13:54:03","modified_gmt":"2017-03-12T11:54:03","slug":"preventing-corruption-amalgamated-communities-training-mentorship-program-citizens","status":"publish","type":"podii","link":"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/en\/podii\/preventing-corruption-amalgamated-communities-training-mentorship-program-citizens","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Corruption in Amalgamated Communities: Training and Mentorship Program for Citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency (DOBRE)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Supporting the Development of Consolidated Communities of Ukraine<\/em><\/p>\n

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP 0013<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Preventing Corruption in Amalgamated Communities: Training and Mentorship<\/strong> Program for Citizens <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Date of Solicitation Notice: February 21, 2017<\/p>\n

Due Date for Applications: March 14, 2017<\/p>\n

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Global Communities is committed to providing equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, or disability.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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  1. Overview<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Global Communities is implementing the USAID funded Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency (DOBRE) <\/strong>program in Ukraine.<\/strong>\u00a0 Launched in 2016, this 5-year project is helping leaders of newly formed Amalgamated Territorial Communities<\/strong> (ATC)<\/strong> to effectively manage resources, increase the quality of public services, stimulate local economies, and improve citizen engagement. DOBRE is now in the process of guiding community stakeholders through a participatory strategic planning process that engages citizens, identifies issues, allocates resources, and creates and implements programs that address priority needs off the community.<\/p>\n

    Using the Strategic Planning process as a framework, DOBRE will provide practical trainings and consulting services so that community leaders develop the skills needed to implement their Strategic Plans and programs.\u00a0 The knowledge, practical skills, and learning tools and approaches used will be institutionalized within Ukrainian educational institutions and other local government service organizations so that developing communities will continue to have access to needed services in the future.<\/p>\n

    Civil society in amalgamated communities has an opportunity to serve as a key stakeholder in these processes: pull together citizens\u2019 voices, assess community needs, prioritize and ensure that local governments pay attention to those issues. DOBRE will work with local governments to ensure they include citizens in the strategic planning process, and will also provide support to citizens to equip them with skills and knowledge on efficient anti-corruption tools they can use to better oversee local government activity, introduce public oversight systems, and build a no-tolerance for corruption culture in their communities.<\/p>\n

    DOBRE is seeking a highly qualified service provider to design and implement a training and mentorship program on preventing corruption and launching efficient public oversight systems for residents of 25 partner communities from seven oblasts: <\/strong>Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolayiv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    This call for applications is open to qualified NGOs, private entrepreneurs, think tanks, and businesses with expertise and practical experience of implementing anti-corruption activities and launching efficient corruption prevention systems, preferably on the level of communities. (See Section V: Selection Criteria for more details on the evaluation process for applying organizations.)<\/p>\n

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    1. DOBRE Project Description<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      DOBRE\u2019s international team, led by Global Communities, brings a broad set of expertise and practical experience in decentralization and community development. Global Communities\u2019 model for community-driven development provides a framework for DOBRE\u2019s overall approach and assistance activities. Poland\u2019s Foundation in Support of Local Democracy (FSLD) and the Malopolska School of Public Administration (MSPA) of the Cracow University of Economics are leveraging their practical experience and successful strategies for developing local governance applied in Poland. Ukraine\u2019s Association of Rural and Village Settlements (VASSR) has the presence and experience with the villages and small towns that are now consolidating, while the Ukraine Crisis Media Center (UCMC) and NGO SocialBoost are contributing to community engagement and introducing e-government strategies to improve public services and transparency of government.\u00a0 The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is assisting the new communities in elevating gender equity and ensuring new programs address IDP issues.<\/p>\n

      This Consortium will partner with other Ukrainian institutions and organizations to deliver a series of practical trainings, on-site consultations, and community engagement activities that result in local economic and community development strategies for the amalgamated territorial communities and a set of \u201caction plans\u201d that lead to tangible results. The community-driven strategic planning processes will result in the creation of tailored projects that improve public services, stimulate economic development, and increase the quality of life in the communities.\u00a0 The successful projects and results achieved will serve as models and motivation for other communities working to improve services and the quality of life for their citizens.<\/p>\n

      Under decentralization reform the majority of responsibilities go to local governments.\u00a0 Local governments receive funds, including tax money, to run their communities by providing services, supporting public institutions and infrastructure, managing public budgets (expenditures, taxes and fees), creating opportunities for economic development and social wellbeing.\u00a0 Local governments also make the majority of decisions about life of communities.\u00a0 With more responsibilities and direct access to funds, the risks of corruptive practices in local governments grow.\u00a0 However, as governance moves closer to citizens, so does public oversight.\u00a0 It is easier for local residents to see what\u2019s going on in their communities, monitor the quality of services, see who the vendors and providers of public services are and how they are selected, track public spending, elected officials\u2019 activity and assets, and make sure public money goes to targeted projects, which bring benefits to communities and not enrich decision-makers.\u00a0 It is a responsibility of citizens to make sure local governments put in place systems and practices to ensure transparency, openness, and accountability.<\/p>\n

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      As one strategy to assist newly amalgamated communities, DOBRE will equip citizens with practical tools and proven solutions to decrease corruption risks, introduce citizen oversight systems, and create a culture of no tolerance for corruption in communities.<\/p>\n

      DOBRE is looking for a training service provider who can design and implement an anti-corruption program for residents of 25 newly amalgamated communities (see the list below) on preventing corruption, implementing anti-corruption mechanisms, and launching efficient public oversight systems. The program should include the following components:<\/p>\n