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Request for Proposals

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Request for Proposals | Learning from Local Peacebuilding Initiatives to Inform Preventing & Countering Violent Extremism Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Roles of Youth & Gender 

Release Date: March 12, 2024

RFP Due Date: 11:59 pm U.S. Eastern Time on April 14, 2024

 

The RESOLVE Network Secretariat, based at the United States Institute of Peace, is soliciting proposals for authorship of two original short form RESOLVE Policy Notes, one publication focused on youth and the other on gender, both in the context of local peacebuilding and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) in sub-Saharan Africa. For more on the project and previous publications, see the project page on RESOLVE’s website.

For the Policy Note focused on considerations around youth in local peacebuilding initiatives and lessons for P/CVE efforts, publication topics may include (but are not limited to):

  • The role of youth in local conflict and violence resolution initiatives with lessons/considerations for future P/CVE policy and practice;
  • Gaps in/challenges impacting youth engagement in local peace processes, with considerations for youth participation in efforts to address and prevent violent extremism; 
  • The intersection of youth and gender in peacebuilding and P/CVE practice;
  • Youth bulges and areas of opportunity for engagement in prosocial conflict resolution and P/CVE activities;
  • Specific examples of youth-led or youth-informed peacebuilding efforts and lessons for P/CVE youth activities;
  • Youth use of social media/engagement in information ecosystems to further local peacebuilding and P/CVE efforts and goals;
  • Intergenerational dialogues as a part of local peacebuilding efforts and their potential role for P/CVE;
  • Youth engagement in conflict and violent extremism and potential avenues to address and prevent youth mobilization to violence;
  • Mechanisms for disengaging youth involved in violent extremist or violent behaviors and prosocial means to reintegrate and rehabilitate them back into their communities.

For the Policy Note focused on considerations around gender in local peacebuilding initiatives and lessons for P/CVE efforts, publication topics may include (but are not limited to):

  • Context-specific issues relevant to women, men, and/or gender diverse individuals in peacebuilding and P/CVE practice;
  • Applying an intersectional lens to peacebuilding and P/CVE practice;
  • Specific examples of gender mainstreaming in local peacebuilding initiatives;
  • Identifying gaps in/challenges to gender inclusion in local peace processes;
  • Case studies that apply a gendered lens to an issue of local peacebuilding;
  • Gender dynamics within local peacebuilding and P/CVE initiatives;
  • Gendered experiences of local peacebuilding and P/CVE efforts.

The production of these policy notes will not involve field research, but rather, draw on desk review of existing studies and/or the author’s own experience. Submissions drawing considerations from research using quantitative data and statistical analysis are highly encouraged. The final written products will be tailored to an audience of policymakers and practitioners, offering detailed and specific considerations and/or reflections that are of use to this audience. Authors may also be asked to present a briefing of the findings for internal USIP/USAID and external audiences.

 

FAQs

Is it permissible to have more than one author on the proposal?

Yes, it is permissible to include more than one author on your proposal.

 

Are there any age restrictions for individuals interested in submitting a proposal?

USIP does not have age restrictions for individuals interested in submitting a proposal. The offeror must be legally allowed to work in their country of residence.

 

Can you confirm the total maximum budget for each Policy Note is no more than $1000?

Yes, the maximum budget set for each Policy Note is $1,000.00 USD. The budget was determined based on RESOLVE’s standard pricing for similar publications we have produced in the past. RESOLVE’s Policy Notes are short (approx. 1,500-3,000 words) and are meant to draw on existing research. They do not involve original research or field work. Note that this request for proposals is geared more towards individual authors than larger organizations, though organizations are welcome to submit proposals.

 

The request for proposals is focused broadly on sub-Saharan Africa, but it is also specific to the Sahel region. Does this mean that proposals focused on other parts of sub-Saharan Africa will not be considered?

We will accept proposals with a geographic focus from across the sub-Saharan Africa region as long as they are able to demonstrate relevance for local peacebuilding and P/CVE efforts in the Sahel, but preference is given to the countries indicated on page 3 of the request for proposals. A proposal’s intended country-specific focus is one of several factors that will be evaluated when making final selections. This is reflected in the percentage ranking system set out in the evaluation criteria table under Section V (Selection Process) of the request for proposals.

 

Can you confirm that in this initial application stage you are only requesting the concept note of not more than 3,000 words? Please clarify.

The technical narrative proposal requires multiple elements (including past experience, overall approach, a proposed outline, and a description of key personnel and specific expertise) but it does not require a draft publication. Please refer to the detailed submission instructions under Section IV (Submission Requirements) on the RFP document for a complete description of what is required at the proposal stage.

 

Is this opportunity open to individuals beyond the USIP Generation Change Fellows Program?

This opportunity is open to any interested qualified applicant, regardless of professional affiliation. There are no restrictions or requirements beyond those detailed within the request for proposals. All proposals will receive a comprehensive review according to the evaluation criteria set out in Section V (Selection Process) of the request for proposals.
 

For more detailed information and submission requirements, please read the full requests for proposals here:

For any further media inquiries please contact resolve@resolvenet.org