ToR for the trainer of 2-day training for capacity building of CSOs and institutions 

Published on May 29, 2023 by Atina – Citizens' Association for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and All Forms of Violence against Women (i.e., NGO Atina)

The project BRIDGE – Stepping forward in the protection of women and girls in Kosovo*[1] and Serbia is supported by the European Commission. This project is being implemented by NGO Atina from Belgrade and the Centre for Protection of Victims and Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings (PVPT) from Priština. The action’s design is based on a rising need in the work of both organisations and encompasses border entities in both countries to adequately respond to the needs of (potential) victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (hereinafter: THB) and gender-based violence (hereinafter: GBV), among the domicile and migrant population, especially women and children.

INTRODUCTION

The process of normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo has a deep impact on citizens on both sides. It should lead to a better quality of life in political, economic, social and cultural spheres and facilitate the process toward the accession to the EU. However, the best interests of citizens are often neglected for the benefit of political structures, therefore it is necessary to create spaces where citizens themselves have the possibility to map problems and work together on their resolution. Both PVPT and Atina witnessed the necessity to establish mechanisms of cooperation between two sides in order to adequately respond to the problem of THB and related GBV and provision of efficient support to victims. A coordinated cooperation between specialised CSOs and other stakeholders mandated to combat THB and related GBV is necessary to enable better monitoring and identifying potential victims.

Due to the lack of cooperation between institutions, Kosovo citizens identified as victims in Serbia and Serbian citizens identified as victims in Kosovo cannot resolve key issues important for their recovery and reintegration – from reporting what happened to them, resolving legal status, to accessing available services. This action also includes raising the capacities of community based CSOs for cross border cooperation and establishing an inter-cultural cooperation between young people around the THB and related GBV prevention.

Both organisations operate as of early 2000s and are licensed in providing services for survivors. NGO Atina has been working for decades on the protection of victims and advocating for the systemic changes necessary to improve the position of vulnerable groups in the country. The specificity of Atina’s long-term social inclusion programme lies in the effort to provide support in a comprehensive and systematic way, with active involvement of state institutions and full participation of beneficiaries themselves, so that the assistance system becomes a viable solution for full recovery and reintegration.

The Center for Protection of Victims and Prevention of Trafficking in Human Beings (PVPT) is a local non-governmental organisation from Priština, Kosovo, which works in the field of combating human trafficking as of 2000. PVPT accomplishes its mission through a multi-disciplinary approach in two pillars: Direct Assistance (Rehabilitation and Long-term Reintegration) and Prevention. PVPT Center is a member of the National Anti-Trafficking Authority in Kosovo, Child Protection Coalition, Kosovo Women Network, and Local Task Force.

RATIONALE

Although the anti-trafficking legislative frameworks are in place in Serbia and Kosovo, complex political processes are hindering adequate response and cooperation between relevant stakeholders. The aim of the action is to initiate a process of cooperation in the area where that cooperation is very much needed – combating THB and related GBV and protection of victims. To do so, the action proposes documenting evidence through comparative analyses of legislations and practice, and mapping gaps that need to be improved. The action includes raising capacities of community based CSOs in facilitating cross-border cooperation. The cooperation would be instigated through two-day training sessions, and study visits between stakeholders in Serbia and Kosovo, which would ensure practical insight in their operations in both countries. This process will be used to refine the needs and proposed recommendations that will further enhance the response to GBV and THB, but also to establish Cross Border Network as a sustainable structure to support future actions in this area.

Bearing in mind all these circumstances, it is necessary to prepare training curricula and to implement two 2-day trainings for capacity building of CSOs and institutions in both Serbia and Kosovo*, in order to enable professionals to jointly plan and develop services for THB victims. This capacity building component will strongly emphasise and promote full participation of THB victims, with incorporated gender perspective. It is envisaged that the target group receives specialised education and training on service provision and cooperation. A total of 60 representatives of at least 30 local CSOs from Serbia and Kosovo* will directly participate in these two 2-day training sessions. Therefore, two trainers will be selected for preparing and implementing trainings, one in Serbia and one in Kosovo*.

Both trainings will be led by two trainers from Kosovo and Serbia each, to provide a joint, comprehensive approach, and to share the existing practices with the aim to enable a better understanding of the similarities in work and discover the most effective way of networking and cooperating in line with the regulations that are currently in place.

This structure of the training and criteria for selection of participants is set to ensure the establishment of relations and networks between CSO service providers in Kosovo and Serbia, while the duration and structure of modules is planned in a cost-effective way.

SCOPE OF WORK

Activity 1: Developing a comprehensive training programme

The engaged trainers should develop a comprehensive training programme on assistance and service provision to THB and GBV victims with a survivor-centred and trauma informed approach and incorporated gender perspective. The training programme should include all the necessary information on the topic, and provide the skills needed for raising the capacities of CSOs with a mandate in this area. The training programme should be divided into modules, and developed in close cooperation with the PT to ensure it will cover the specific issues related to the main topic, as follows:

Victim-centred programming: 1) the importance of rights-based programming and approach; 2) guidelines on developing survivor-centred and individual approach in work; 3) components of Kosovo and Serbian protection systems and guiding principles on the improvement of cooperation.

Service provision: 1) what are the current mechanisms and capacities for service provision in Kosovo and Serbia; 2) possibilities for CSOs to network and improve cooperation and cross-border service provision; 3) legal requirements and responsibilities in service provision for victims of human trafficking and gender-based violence; 4) THB and GBV indicators, and phenomena specific for Kosovo and Serbia.

Gender perspective: 1) how to incorporate into policy and make gender perspective a central concern in projects and programmes; 2) how to recognise the different needs of the THB and GBV victims, and to address those needs through programme work; 3) how to create a continuous exchange of experience in order to improve the existing practice and increase the knowledge and capacities of involved actors.

The training programme should also have a detailed agenda and curriculum for each of the modules, along with explanation and goals for each of them. It should be used as an instrument for the trainers, but also as a follow-up source for participants. In the creation of the training programme, already developed materials will also be used, as well as comparative experiences.

Activity 2. Implementing two 2-day training for CSOs

The two 2-day training sessions should be organised in Kosovo and Serbia each. Participants should be selected in accordance with the established criteria developed by the PT and external experts among the representatives of civil society organisations working on the provision of services and protection of GBV and THB victims. This should be done to ensure strong commitment within each organisation for applying the acquired skills. Another important criterion for selection should be to focus on CSOs that are active in municipalities at the border areas, given that this will ensure additional possibility for cooperation and active involvement. As stated, the training curriculum should include a set of three modules aimed to provide the skills needed for raising capacities of local CSOs for a survivor-centred approach, with a gender component, and particular emphasis on the cross-border cooperation and networking. Participants (60 of them in total) should be divided into two groups. Each group consisting of 30 participants will attend a 2-day training session.

Coordination meetings of the project team and trainers will be organised on a regular basis for the purpose of securing continuous flow of information, follow-up on performed activities, accurate planning of activities, identifying possible challenges and setbacks and taking appropriate prevention actions. Regular meetings will ensure efficient progress and performance of the activities and timely response to identified challenges.

The tasks are to be carried out within the Work Package 3 – Capacity building activities, envisaged for the first year of the project implementation.

Implementation of the focus group interviews should last from June until September 2023.

BUDGET:

NGO Atina will negotiate a number of days of engagement with the selected facilitator on the basis of the financial offer (gross amount) that will classify the following:

*Add columns as needed depending on the number of activities needed to perform the assignment

            Subtotal                                               EUR__________

            Other costs (specify)                           EUR__________

            TOTAL                                                EUR__________

The total cost should cover all preparatory work regarding the job description, and communication costs between the Project team, expert and organizations (e-mail, telephone, fax, mail).

BIDDING PROCEDURE

The interested facilitators should develop and submit the bidding proposal in the English language to respond to above mentioned specific tasks no later than June 16, 2023. The bidding proposal should include:

1. Description and contact details of the expert applying;

2. A detailed Budget Proposal (in the required form);

3. CV of expert involved emphasizing only relevant experience;

4. Past performance in similar areas of an expert applying, with reference to previous contracting agencies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The project team will make a decision on the selection of the most successful bidder, subject to the available budget, on the following four criteria:

• University degree in the relevant field;
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience;
• Experience of the candidate in performing similar projects or programs;
• An example of previous work as a reference of previous experience is desirable.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF BID

All bids need to be submitted no later than June 16, 2023, at 5 PM in electronic version, to the email marija.pantelic@atina.org.rs

A selection will be made no later than June 23, 2023, and the selected consultant will be contracted no later than June 27, 2023. Only the selected candidate will be informed.