Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) FOR partnership between youth-led initiatives and the private sector 

2. Locations 

10 Municipalities, to be identified.  

3. Sector(s) and area(s) of specialization 

No-formal education, Corporate Social Responsibility, vocational training, gender, youth  

4. Issuing Agency 

International Organization for Migration, IOM  

5. Project Background 

The Youth Empowered through Inclusive School and Societies (YESS) project funded by the UN-Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund, is a 24-month joint initiative implemented by UNICEF and IOM, under the strategic guidance of UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo that will directly engage children and youth aged 13 to 24. The project takes a bottom-up and community-based approach, using schools and their surrounding communities as an entry point to actively engage children and young men and women, particularly those from marginalized communities that have been historically under-represented in decision and policy making. Through supporting a range of non-formal education interventions and youth-led projects both within and beyond the school setting, the project will empower children and young men and women with new skills to become positive agents of change who promote tolerance and diversity, foster mutual understanding, and respect, and build social cohesion between and within various communities living in Kosovo.  

The project will work with children as well as youth, aged 13 to 24, their teachers, municipal educational authorities, parents, and broader communities in 10 selected municipalities across Kosovo. By empowering children and young men and women in both formal and informal settings and linking them with local governance mechanisms and media, the project seeks to enhance social cohesion within and across diverse communities through education as a positive entry point. Interventions are designed to actively engage young people, teachers, local authorities, media, and private sector actors and enhance their personal capacities to challenge stereotypes and prejudices, as well as to build critical skills in communication, cooperation and problem-solving in an environment of high community tensions. The project will also strengthen the school environment through introduction and reinforcement of inclusive education approaches that are adapted to the needs and realities of local contexts.  At the heart of the project's methodology is a steadfast commitment to the promotion of gender equality and the incorporation of youth voices and perspectives at all levels, ensuring all identities are recognized and valued.  

To achieve the desired results, the project consists of two key project outputs:   

Output 1: Schools, educational institutions, and local authorities actively cultivate and sustain a peaceful and inclusive environment for young people in the selected municipalities.  

Output 2: Enhanced collaboration mechanisms among youth-led initiatives and local stakeholders, promoting meaningful youth participation and ownership in community development, social cohesion and peacebuilding initiatives.   

6. Expected Results 

By mainstreaming diversity in CSR and HR policies, align the private sector's vision with inclusivity goals, fostering a culture that embraces diversity. The identification and showcasing of private sector diversity champions are expected to set a precedent for others to follow. A comprehensive selection process for youth participants will create inclusive spaces, addressing gender-related job integration issues. Training sessions for both youth and private sector entities will mainstream gender in materials and approaches, enhancing understanding and application of diversity principles. The development and distribution of informative materials like guides and toolkits are anticipated to broadly disseminate knowledge on implementing diversity and equality. Continuous needs assessments will ensure that the private sector's diversity challenges are strategically addressed through recommended activities. Key deliverables include soft skills and career guidance training for youth, focusing on essential competencies and career preparation with a gender-sensitive approach. Enterprise visits will offer practical workplace experiences, fostering youth integration into the labor market. The project will also initiate private sector partnerships, creating employment opportunities for youth. Engagement with the private sector for internships and job placements will provide real-world experiences. Tailored diversity and CSR training for private sector employees will further entrench these values in corporate practices. An advocacy campaign promoting workplace diversity and CSR initiatives, along with support in reviewing and amending HR policies, will ensure that companies integrate CSR and diversity principles more holistically. Finally, a seminar for private sector representatives on diversity and inclusivity will consolidate learning and promote widespread adoption of these practices. The overarching expected result is a more inclusive, diverse, and integrated labor market in Kosovo, contributing to long-term stability and social cohesion by bridging ethnic divides and fostering inter-community cooperation. 

Mainstream gender in all initiatives and materials.  

7. Selection Criteria 
 

8.                   Attachments 

9. For more information on this partnership opportunity, and to apply, please visit https://kosovo.iom.int/ 

The organizations responding to this call need to demonstrate their capacity to implement all listed activities as a single package. Partial applications for individual activities will not be considered.  

IOM reserves the right to cancel/reduce the scope of planned activities or to introduce new/broaden the scope of the existing activities. Selected Implementing partner needs to be ready to develop a detailed budget based on submitted proposal in two weeks upon receiving the notification from IOM. 

All applicants will receive written notification, within the two weeks after the deadline for the submission of Concept Note, of the outcome of the selection process. Should an applicant request further clarification, IOM will provide a response explaining the transparency and integrity of the selection process undertaken.  

IOM reserves the right to decline disclosure of the specificity of decision derived by the IOM mission due to reasons related to confidentiality.  

IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Expression of Interest, and to annul the selection process and reject all Expression of Interest at any time, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing Partners.  

For more information, please contact in writing (insert a dedicated email address with controlled access). 

Expression of Interest submission guidelines 

This document contains instructions on the preparation and submission of the Application including Annex A: IP Information. 

1. The Application must be submitted at address of iompristina@iom.int no later than midnight, 17th of May 2024. Late Application will no longer be considered. 
2. A detailed description must be provided on how the requirements specified in the Call for Expression of Interest (CEI) issued by IOM will be matched by the capabilities, experience, knowledge and expertise of the Implementing Partners 
3. The Application must be submitted in the English language and in the format prescribed by IOM within the CEI. All required information must be provided, responding clearly and concisely to all the points set out. Any application which does not fully and comprehensively address this CEI requirements may be rejected. 
4. The Application document should comprise of the following: 
   a. Cover Letter; 
   b. Duly accomplished application documentation as outlined within the CEI signed on all pages by the prospective Implementing Partner’s Authorized Representative; and 
   c. Any other relevant documents 
5. Applications may be modified or withdrawn in writing, prior to the closing time specified in this Request for EoI. Applications shall not be modified or withdrawn after the deadline. 
6. The Implementing partner shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the Application and IOM will not in any case be responsible and liable for the costs incurred.  
7. IOM at no occasion will ask an application fee from Implementing Partners. 
8. Partners can use IOM's We Are All In platform for reporting fraud, corruption or misconduct.   
9. All information given in writing to or verbally shared with the Implementing Partners in connection with this CEI is to be treated as strictly confidential. The Implementing Partner shall not share or invoke such information to any third party without the prior written approval of IOM. This obligation shall continue after the selection process has been completed whether or not the Implementing Partner application is successful. 
10. IOM will treat all information (or that marked proprietary/sensitive/financial) received from Implementing Partners as confidential and any personal data in accordance with its Data Protection Principles. 
11. The Implementing Partner, by submitting an application, gives consent to IOM to share information with those who need to know for the purposes of evaluating and managing the proposal. 
12. By submitting the application/expression of interest, the applicant confirms adherence to IOM’s Declaration of Conformity Form and acknowledges receipt of the list of Proscribed Practices (enclosed). 
13. IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Application, and to cancel the process and reject all Applications, at any time without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing Partner or any obligation to inform the affected Implementing partner of the ground for IOM’s action.