From February 6, 2020 the Centre of Electoral Systems Development, Reform and Training (hereinafter – the Training Center) is announcing the grant contest for the following directions determined under the Central Election Commission of Georgia (hereinafter – the CEC) January 29, 2020 Ordinance N 3/2020 (available in Georgian):

• First Direction - Support of political parties’ electoral capacity development;
• Second direction - Young voters in the electoral process.

The implementation of electoral awareness-raising initiatives by the CEC and the Training Center, as well as studies conducted by various organizations, or recommendations included in the reports of observer missions over the past years (e.g., final report of OSCE Election Observation Mission, the President of Georgia Elections, October 28, 2028) prove the importance and necessity of regular implementation of awareness-raising and training programs toward supporting awareness of citizens and the enhancement of electoral capacity of stakeholders.

Considering the above-mentioned circumstances, the announcement of the contest is aimed at incentivizing the local NGO sector towards implementing the projects that will be directed at the enhancement of electoral capacity of political parties - stakeholders involved in the strengthening of competitive electoral environment, and at raising electoral civic awareness of young voters.

Contest topics under the first direction – support the development of electoral capacity of political parties

a) program part

The demand for continuing electoral awareness-raising and training projects for the parties has been identified as a result of the survey among the representatives of political parties who participated in grant projects funded under the grant contests organized by the Training Center. Given the expressed high interest and the Parliament of Georgia election scheduled for 2020, announcing a contest is aimed at incentivizing local NGO sector for the implementation of such important awareness-raising and training projects that ensure strengthening of human resources for political parties who, according to the legislation, will be authorized by the time of elections to appoint members and/or representatives at district election commissions and precinct election commissions.     

Based on the objective set out under the contest topics, a project proposal submitted by an NGO shall envisage the implementation of awareness-raising and training program for political parties that should comprise all of the modules listed below:

1. international electoral standards;
2. electoral environment that is free from violence and hate speech;
3. the impact of disinformation on credible electoral environment;
4. the role of a party in ensuring secure electoral environment;
5. electoral ethics and professional standards of electoral stakeholders;
6. conducting preelection campaign/canvassing and restrictions;
7. regulations related to the use of administrative resources during the electoral process;
8. Additionally, any other training module focused on the enhancement of electoral capacity of political parties, in addition to the below-listed modules that the Training Center will deliver as part of its contribution.

Note:

• The failure to comply with the condition concerning submission of the above-mentioned training program is the basis for removing the contest documentation from the contest.
• The duration of trainings to be conducted by an NGO for each target group of the project under the training program shall be no less than 20 hours (This implies training hours, excluding break time).
• For the evaluation purposes it is important that the syllabus contain the goal, content, learning outcome, methodology, duration of a relevant module and information about an individual in charge of delivering the training (See the Sample (available in Georgian)). It is important to indicate in the syllabus used sources, references and author.

In coordination with a winning NGO, the Training Center will provide contribution during the project implementation by teaching the following modules to target groups:

• the rule of operation of the Election Administration, organizing elections (electoral cycle) and voting day;
• The basis and technique for drawing up a complaint/application.

Note:

• The duration of the trainings to be conducted for each target group of the project as the contribution of the Training Center is 5 hours (please keep in mind that the mentioned 5 hours are not included in the duration of the training program – no less than 20 hours that is compulsory for an NGO).
• An NGO shall envisage in its project proposal the above-mentioned condition of contribution by the Training Center and include in the project budget the cost of training to be conducted as part of the contribution, in addition to labor and business trip costs incurred in relation to the implementation of the training course (the Training Center will reimburse labor expenditures and business trip expenditures incurred in relation to the implementation of the training course by the Training Center employees).

b) beneficiaries of the grant project:

To support the development of electoral capacity of human resources of political parties and the development of competitive political environment, in the process of staffing target groups with the representatives of political parties, an NGO shall meet all the requirements provided below, in particular

• the following shall be submitted to the Training Center:
• Proof (a document) of sending a letter of invitation to participate in the project to 19 qualified political parties (available in Georgian) and a letter of consent received in response to the letter of invitation from at least 8 qualified parties about the participation in the project;
• Proof of (a document) sending a letter of invitation to participate in the project to at least 4 unqualified parties (available in Georgian) who took part in one of the general elections held over the past four years and, in case of a consent to take part in the project in response to the letter of invitation, such letter of consent.
• The letters of consent received from the parties shall be signed by individuals authorized to lead/represent the parties. Letters of invitation sent to the parties and letters of consent received from the parties shall be submitted to the Training Center within no later than 5 working days after a notice about such demand is sent to an NGO e-mail (letters shall be submitted in hard copy and electronic formats (CD)).

Note: In case of failure to meet the above-mentioned requirements, the Committee takes a decision on refusal to fund an NGO.

Please note that: to ensure equal conditions and proportionality, out of 19 qualified parties for the purposes of contest those parties who, according to legislation, are authorized to appoint members in election commissions for election (4 parties (available in Georgian)), shall be allowed to nominate in a target group two representatives of a party in relation to each DEC in a relevant area (see below), while the remaining parties (qualified, as well as unqualified parties) – will be able to nominate one representative each.

c) the area of grant projects implementation and the limit of funding

For a grant project that envisages maximum number of representatives nominated by political parties (27 representatives within the area provided below per DEC), the limit of funding is set as follows:

• Tbilisi (Mtatsminda, Krtsanisi, Vake, Saburtalo) – not to exceed GEL 81,000.
• Tbilisi (Isani, Samgori, Chugureti) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Tbilisi (Didube, Nadzaladevi, Gldani) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Kakheti (Sagarejo, Gurjaani, Signagi, Dedoplistskaro) – not to exceed GEL 81,000.
• Kakheti (kvareli, Lagodekhi, Telavi, Akhmeta) – not to exceed GEL 81,000.
• Kvemo Kartli (Rustavi, Gardabani, Marneuli, Bolnisi) – not to exceed GEL 81,000.
• Kvemo Kartli (Tsalka, Tetritskaro, Dmanisi) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Shida Kartli (Kaspi, Gori, Kareli, Khashuri) – not to exceed GEL 81,000.
• Mtskheta-Mtianeti (Mtskheta, Tianeti, Dusheti, Kazbegi) – not to exceed GEL 81,000.
• Samtskhe-Javakheti (Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Samtskhe-Javakheti (Aspindza, Akhalkalaki, Ninotsminda) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Imereti (Tkibuli, Terjola, Zestafoni – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Imereti (Kharagauli, Sachkhere, Chiatura) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Imereti (Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Imereti (Baghdati, Samtredia, Vani) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti (Oni, Ambrolauri, Tsageri, Lentekhi) – not to exceed GEL 81,000.
• Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti (Abasha, Martvili, Senaki) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti (Tsalenjikha, Chkhorotsku, Khobi) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti (Poti, Zugdidi, Mestia) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Guria (Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, Lanchkhuti) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.
• Achara (Kobuleti, Batumi, Khelvachauri) – not to exceed GEL 60,750).
• Adjara (Khulo, Keda, Shuakhevi) – not to exceed GEL 60,750.

Note:

• When developing a budget for the grant project, not more than GEL 50 (gross) per hour can be set as a trainer’s service fee for the awareness-raising and training program envisaged for beneficiaries.
• It is recommended that labor remuneration cost is not higher than 35% of grant project budget, while the labor remuneration of project leader is not higher than 35% of labor remuneration fund. When designing a project budget, it is important to consider the regulations of the Law of Georgia on Accumulative Pension.
• An NGO is authorized to submit just one grant project within the area of the announced contest, in one of the areas divided by DECs.
• For the purposes of the contest, one winning project will be identified in each area divided by DECs.
• In case of funding a project, funds will be disbursed in stages within the timeframes set forth in the contract.
• If it can be observed from the letters of consent to participate in the project received from parties that the number of participants in target groups envisaged under the project has been reduced, an NGO is required to submit to the Training Center an adjusted project budget considering the principle of calculation provided above. An NGO shall submit an adjusted budget to the Training Center along with the letters of invitation sent to the parties and letters of consent received from the parties (hard copy and electronic format (CD)). In case of failure to meet the mentioned requirement, the Committee takes a decision on rejecting to fund an NGO.

d) grant project duration: May 1 – July 31, 2020 (3 months)

e) Total amount of funding of projects under the first direction: GEL 1,478,250

Contest topic under the second direction – young voters in the electoral process

a) program part:

A grant project submitted under the second direction of the contest topic shall envisage the implementation of awareness-raising/training program for young voters, and it is advisable for the program to envisage informing beneficiaries around the following topics:

• state setup and the formation of elective bodies in Georgia;
• active citizenship and the importance of engagement in the governance of a country through elections;
• accountability between the electorate and elected institutions;
• guiding principles of a democratic electoral process (including secrecy of vote principle);
• the protection of personal data of voters in the elections process;
• electoral rights and exercising those rights;
• gender equality in elections;
• inclusive electoral environment (engagement of vulnerable groups in the electoral process);
• other matters directed towards promotion of elections and enhancing civic responsibility.

It is important that the awareness-raising and training programs implemented as part of the project are modelled, training materials are developed and training methodology is selected and used according to age and interests of young voters.

Note:

• The duration of trainings to be conducted by an NGO for each target group of the project under the training program shall be no less than 20 hours (This implies training hours, excluding break time).
• For the evaluation purposes it is important that the syllabus contain the goal, content, learning outcome, methodology, duration of a relevant module and information about an individual in charge of delivering the training (See the Sample (available in Georgian)). It is important to indicate in the syllabus used sources, references and author.

b) grant project beneficiaries:

Beneficiaries who will be covered under the grant project may include young voters’ group in general, or it may be focused on any of the specific target groups listed below:

• ethnic minority youth (it is advisable to also envisage Roma and Kists among ethnic minority beneficiaries of the grant project);
• young voters with disabilities;
• internally displaced people (IDPs).

It is desirable to form the target group in consideration of gender aspects.

Note:

• Target group members of the grant project shall include at least 60 beneficiaries (this number shall be clearly included in the project proposal). During the implementation of the project attention should be paid to the following: beneficiaries should be divided into groups for awareness-raising and training purposes, to comprise at least 15 and not more than 24 participants. Attendance sheets shall be completed during every meeting.
• In case accommodation, meals and individual transportation costs of beneficiaries during the awareness-raising and training process are envisaged, it is important to include cost per participant in a grant project budget (by the types of costs, separately). In the process of managing risks of a grant project the following shall be considered: in case the number of beneficiaries included in the project process is less than that indicated in the project proposal, NGO shall refund to grantor accommodation, meals and individual transportation costs, according to the number of participants missing. To ensure the compliance with the above-mentioned condition, it is a grantee responsibility to reach agreement with the suppliers concerning the settlement based on the services actually rendered.
• When developing a grant project budget, the service fee for a trainer for an awareness-raising and training program to be delivered to beneficiaries may not be exceed GEL 50 (gross) per hour.
• It is recommended that labor remuneration cost is not higher than 35% of grant project budget, while the labor remuneration of project leader is not higher than 35% of labor remuneration fund. When designing a project budget, it is important to take into account the regulations of the Law of Georgia on Accumulative Pension.

c) grant project duration:May 1 – June 30, 2020 (2 months)

d) Limits of grant project funding: GEL 30,000

e) Total amount of funding of projects under the second direction: GEL 270,000

Who is eligible to take part in the grant contest:

Local non-commercial legal entities (hereinafter – NGO) registered pursuant to Georgia legislation prior to announcing of competition are eligible to participate in the competition.

Those NGOs whose managers and/or the individuals envisaged to implement submitted grant project shall not be eligible to participate in the competition if they are either of the following: a member of the Central Election Commission of Georgia; a Head of a structural unit of the CEC Apparatus; a Head, a Deputy Head of the Training Center; Head of a structural unit of the Training Center; a member of a grant competition committee, committee secretariat and monitoring group. NGO management implies individuals having the authority to lead/represent an NGO according to an extract from the Registry of Entrepreneurs and Non-commercial Legal Entities.

Documentation to be submitted to the grant competition:

To participate in the grant competition, an NGO shall submit the following documents according to the indicated rule:

1. a)  Grant application as per the form in the Annex N1 (available in Georgian) (hard copy and an electronic version (CD));
2. b)  An extract from the Registry of Entrepreneurs and Non-commercial Legal Entities obtained after the grant competition announcement (February 6, 2020) evidencing that the NGO does not have the following obligations: attachment/injunction, tax lien, registry of creditors (hard copy);

Reviewing body:

Grant Competition commission takes a decision on dismissing competition documentation, on funding/refusal to fund an NGO, removal of competition documentation from competition. Grant competition commission takes such decisions in absentia of a representative of an NGO that has submitted the competition documentation.

Members of grant competition commission will evaluate grant projects according to the criteria stipulated in the competition documentation evaluation sheet (Annex N2 (available in Georgian)).

Publicity of grant competition results:

Bidders will be informed about competition results via e-mail notice to their e-mail. Information about NGOs funded based on the grant competition committee decision will also be posted to the CEC and the Training Center websites: www.cesko.ge; www.electionreforms.ge

Grant contest schedule:

• Announcing a contest: February 6, 2020;
• Timeframe for the submission of contest documentation: from February 6 through February 20, 2020 (except for weekends), from 10:00 am to 18:00 pm, to the following address: 13^th km, D. Aghmashenebeli Alley (the CEC Building), fifth floor, Tbilisi;
• Informational meetings about the rule of submission of contest documentation: February 12, 2020, 12:00 at the following address: 13^th, David Aghmashenebeli Alley (the CEC Building), Tbilisi.

For the Rules for Awarding Grants, follow the Link

For additional information contact us at: 261 21 11 (17)