Tenders

Reference Title: Research on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Georgia

General Background:

Starting from September 2023, Mercy Corps has started a 3-year program, “Safe Online: Empowering Women in the Digital Economy” (Safe Online), that operates in targeted areas of Georgia and Armenia to advance inclusive economic growth through democratizing digital transformation and online safety for women in business. In Georgia, the program will work with Georgian Center for Strategy and Development (GCSD) and in Armenia with Impact Innovation Institute’s Initiatives Foundation (IMINI).

In the framework of the Mercy Corps Safe Online: Program, the Center for Strategy and Development (GCSD) aims to foster strong multi-stakeholder engagement and establish a shared understanding of how digital exclusion and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)[1]  impact access to and safety in the digital economy.

The Safe Online will pursue three interconnected outcomes to achieve its goal:

1)     Organize a stakeholder community and carry out formal research activities to better understand how digital exclusion and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) operates to limit women’s online business opportunities in the two countries;

2)     Work directly with women in business and technology to develop concrete solutions and model tools and interventions that increase their safety online and improve the performance of their online business activities;

3)     work directly with government and private sector actors to promote the uptake and scaling of proven solutions that can shape and maintain a safer and more accessible digital economy.

The project aims to equip women in business, entrepreneurs, and SMEs with knowledge and skills and can operate in an inclusive, safe digital business environment.

The objective of the Assignment:

In an open competition format, GCSD is looking for a qualified Georgian research organization/institution/company to conduct the research to gain a comprehensive understanding of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Georgia, with a focus on:

• Identifying the prevalence and types of TFGBV incidents, especially in business environments.
• Potentially examining the impact of the TFGBV on survivors and the broader society. Understand how individuals are vulnerable to TFGBV.
• Analyzing the existing policy/legal/formal mechanisms/tools related to addressing and reporting the TFGBV in Georgia and assessing the effectiveness of current preventive measures and support systems.
• Explore how additional resources and tools can increase resilience regarding the TFGBV.
• Providing recommendations for policy and intervention improvements.  Identify actions needed to increase online safety and digital inclusion.

Research Target groups

The main target groups for this research include women in business, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs), and organizations involved in digital spaces. Key stakeholder agencies, interest groups, companies, banks, credit organizations, CSOs, and other public/private organizations with the responsibility or interest in addressing the TFGBV, gender equity, and economic engagement are also integral to the research.

1.  Target Groups:

   - Women in business (Agriculture, Tourism and etc.)

   - Women-led Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

2. Businesses operating  in Digital Space:

- Partners in the digital space developing tools to capture data and information through online and digital interactions.

3. Key Stakeholder Agencies, Interest Groups, Companies, CSOs, and Other Public/Private Organizations:

  - Organizations with a responsibility or interest in addressing the TFGBV, gender equity, and economic engagement. For example, MSMEs (Micro of Small and Medium sized Enterprises),

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and it thematic agencies, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Georgian National Tourism Administration, Relevant Business Associations.

The research should cover the following regions: Tbilisi, Kartli, Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Methodological Approach.

Considering the sensitivity of the topic GCSD relies on the decision of the interested applicant to provide the proper methodology for reaching the research objectives. Short-listed applicants will go through the co-creation process on methodology to ensure that the research process is following the expectations of the project.

Qualifications to meet:

• A minimum of three years of continuous research experience.
• Experience in employing mixed research methodological approaches in delivering research projects
• Proven experience in working with international and local organizations
• Organizations should have strong ethical and safeguarding policies and should demonstrate compliance with general data protection principles. similar documents/publications proven experience in developing manuals, handbooks and articles
• The organization should provide at least one candidate within the research team who has demonstrated experience in working with TFGBV/GBV/GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) topics (this should be also highlighted in the proposed budget).
• Preferred experiences include: organization's experience in collaborating with local communities or stakeholders; previous experience in conducting GBV-related topics 

Deliverables when the contract is awarded:

• Detailed research methodology (including questionnaire/survey/toolkits) – 30% of the total fund requested
• Draft research document (with raw data analysis and initial findings) – 20% of the total fund requested
• Policy document report in ENG/Georgian (at least 40 pages systemized analysis of research findings and policy recommendations actions/interventions) – 50% of the total fund requested
• Implementation period -  3 months after contract is awarded

Requests from the interested applicants:

GCSD is extending the submission period for this ToR. Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents no later than February 18, 2024.

• Cover page (indicating organization information, including name, contact point, and registration number)
• Up-to-date registration document from the National Agency of Public Registry
• concept note (max 2 pages) on the methodological vision and approach (for all applicants)
• Reference document (indicating past research experience within the last 3 years)
• CVs of the research team
• Budget proposal- lumpsum (detailed budget, in the template, will be filled out by the shortlisted applicant)

Proposals should be submitted by email to gcsd@gcsd.org.ge with the subject line: TFGBV_Research_Safeonine

The contact point for additional information is Ani Shvelidze: a.shvelidze@gcsd.org.ge