Opportunity Background
The overall objective of the M4EG, phase II (2021-2024) is to enhance economic inclusive growth and job creation by supporting local authorities in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries to design and implement Local Economic Development Plans (LEDP). This is sought through strengthening capacities of local governments, creating inclusive innovation processes for design of investable projects that correspond to the developed LEDPs, and investing in portfolios of projects, in a way that bring tangible benefits to citizens.
The first phase of the M4EG initiative was launched by the European Union (EU) in 2017 to support Mayors and municipalities of the EaP countries in becoming active facilitators for sustainable economic growth and job creation. The first phase of the initiative recorded unprecedented popularity: over 400 municipalities across the region had committed to the initiative’s objectives, and over 250 LEDPs was designed. The M4EG Phase II will build on and integrate lessons learned from the first phase of M4EG while seeking to build synergies and avoid duplication with other LED programs already under way in the region. The first phase introduced an integrated approach to local economic development planning. However, these plans did not generate the desired investments for transformation. To achieve this result, the second phase of the program can serve as a platform to enable and learn on transformation – applying a strategic innovation framework – its tools and methods, engaging in deep listening (hearing narratives that exist in society), co-creation with diverse groups of innovators, investors and public servants of bankable projects, activation of portfolios and their dynamic management, actively designing bankable projects to attract private sector and other forms of financing, while simultaneously developing capabilities in local authorities.
During project implementation the M4EG network will increase to 350 local authorities, and 12 local authorities will go through a process of portfolio development. Three funding facilities will be available to the local authorities in the network: the EU Project Fund (2021), Annual Portfolio Call (2021-2024) and M4EG Innovation Project Call (2021-2024).
Building on the successes and lessons of the first phase and the many LEDPs in place, one foundational activity of the new phase is to adapt the phase 1 LEDPs process and methodology to better generate transformation toward sustainable development at the local level. The adapted LEDP methodology would be used for new potential members and existing members that wish/are due to update their LEDPs.
Opportunity structure
OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS/ DELIVERABLES
Specific Objectives
Adapting and re-framing the existing LEDP methodology (Activity 1.1.2 in the project document) to a LEDP 2.0 would entail review of the past and ongoing evaluations of the phase 1 and put forward an adapted conceptualization of local (economic) development with a system thinking frame and a corresponding methodology/procedure for local authorities/municipalities/cities to develop or adapt their existing LEDPs. This would include templates for the LEDP development process, evaluation criteria (for e.g. satisfactory/not satisfactory) of the LEDP, and guidance around implementation of the LEDP. The EU and UNDP are open to changing the name/conceptualization/approach/structure of the existing LEDP methodology to better address the complexity of the issues faced by secondary cities in the Eastern Partnership countries.
The adapted LEDP methodology is expected to be a lean process, with a higher use of technology and digital tools, as well as stimulating exchange and collaboration between different local authorities in the network, in the process of designing the LEDP or its equivalent. The LEDP 2.0 will foster a strong focus on the systemic and interconnected nature of urban development issues, taking into account a gender perspective and the overall inclusivity agenda, environmental dimensions and ensuring economic prosperity within the planetary boundaries, the role of new technology and finance instruments, as well as the changing behavior patterns post-COVID, while ensuring ownership and sustainability after the end of the project. The next generation LEDPs or its equivalent will have stronger emphasis on local development as an iterative approach (rather than planning based) where local stakeholders (usual and non-usual actors) jointly learn/explore what is possible within the local context.
The Urban Learning Center (Activity 1.2.2 in the project document) will be a learning platform available to all members of the network. The selected provided is asked to help the EU and UNDP to design an adaptive programme for learning, providing opportunities for input and feedback.
The Programme will offer resources and training opportunities and may include inter alia:
- How to develop/adapt your LEDP – online and hybrid component (http://elearning.m4eg.eu/en), and test out the new methodology with a selected number of municipalities;
- Design a programme and provide capability development in the following areas:
- Strategy and foresight
- Innovative methods (deep listening, sensemaking, etc.)
- Leadership
- Adaptive and agile management
- Learning & M&E
- Gender mainstreaming, and gender-responsive budgeting
- SDG budgeting
- Connect with practical experiences from successful transformation cases – Basque, Vienna, Scotland, etc.;
- Enable and enhance networking between M4EG Facility and European and global networks of cities working on urban transformations;
- Ensure synergies with other activities and providers/partners under the M4EG Facility;
- Regular online exchanges between local authorities – facilitating one-to-one conversations, creating fluid groups at the local level for online engagement to support change;
- Promote the equal participation and representation of women, and groups made marginalized, in the conversations taking place on the platform.
The objective of this call for proposal, is for the provider to design and deliver a hybrid (online and offline) learning programme for the M4EG network members, and support revision and testing of the LEDP process. The Learning Center will be hosted on the existing (or re-designed, tbc) webpage of Phase 1 of the project (https://www.m4eg.eu/en/) The Learning Center/Platform is expected to enable and enhance also knowledge sharing between the local authorities within and among the six countries. (A separate procurement process will be conducted for the technical platform development and maintenance.)
The Urban Learning Center will be fully aligned and contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (including Goal 11 of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable), and the New Urban Agenda adopted in Quito, Ecuador and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2016 (Sustainable and inclusive urban prosperity and opportunities for all and Environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development).
Expected Outputs
Adapting the LEDP methodology, would in broad strokes entail:
- Assist EU & UNDP in updating (substantive) the existing M4EG LEDP concept to support transformations for people and planet (https://www.m4eg.eu/media/1787/m4eg-concept-eng.pdf).
- Assist EU & UNDP in adapting existing guideline on the structure and content of the LEDP process (https://www.m4eg.eu/en/about-m4eg/# ) (https://www.m4eg.eu/media/5160/m4eg-guidelines-reviewed-final-clean.pdf ). This would include guidance on how to collect and analyze information, with an emphasis on resident engagement and collective intelligence, and ideally make the process more iterative and adaptive.
- Criteria for evaluation of LEDPs to be used by EU & UNDP (e.g. endorsed; endorsed with recommendations; needs improvement, or similar)
- Technical guidance/advise as EU & UNDP assist municipalities in developing their next generation LEDPs.
Devising the new Urban Learning Center, would in broad strokes entail:
- A Programme frame document (concept, what will be learned/content, how and by when, criteria to evaluate learning, i.e. is it effective – learning milestones)
- Develop the (hybrid) content for the foundation course on LEDP 2.0 from a system lens for municipalities who have signed up to the M4EG initiative and in process of developing/adapting their LEDPs. A similar online course was developed during phase 1 and will be replaced by the LEDP 2.0 approach.
- Propose and deliver modules, including possible cohort-based learning, to support a system thinking approach for municipal/urban renewal. (Please note that this is expected to be conducted in a training of trainer approach, to ensure that capabilities are transferred from provider into the wider UNDP and EU ecosystems.)
- Enable networking with EU networks on the future of cities, green cities or other relevant networks.
- Build on and supplement the exiting eco-system of relevant information, and relatedly, help create a sustainable approach for the Learning Center and relevant work of the project beyond the geographical scope and lifespan of the project.
- Collaborate and work with the other relevant providers in the Mayors Facility on new tools and learning related aspects to ensure synergies.
- Generation of annual knowledge products.
Competitive scope
QUALIFICATION
History of Non-Performing Contracts
Non-performance of a contract did not occur as a result of contractor default for the last 3 years.
Litigation History
No consistent history of court/arbitral award decisions against the Bidder for the last 3 years.
Previous Experience
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience.
- Minimum 2 contracts of similar value, nature and complexity implemented over the last 5 years.
- Focus on: devising and conducting capacity development intiaitves for local civil servants in local economic/sustainable development
(For JV/Consortium/Association, all Parties cumulatively should meet requirement).