Request for Expression of Interest

1 Request for Expression of Interest / Liberia SRHR Network Membership Release date: February 3rd, 2022. Deadline for questions: February 17th, 2022. Deadline for REOI: March 4th, 2022. Background The Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) was founded in 1933. RFSU is a non-profit organization, with the purpose to drive and mobilize for change towards sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Our international priority areas within SRHR are access to safe abortion, access to comprehensive sexuality education, and sexuality and non-discrimination. It is RFSU's belief that civil society plays a vital role in the development and functioning of democratic societies, as an arena for citizens and rights-holders to meet, be empowered, and mobilize, as agenda-setters identifying gaps and rights violations, as guardians holding governments to account, as advocates to strengthen legal, political and financial support for SRHR, and as public educators raising awareness within communities and society.

2 RFSU. collaborates with approximately 40 civil society organizations (CSOs) in 20 different countries and has recently established a local office in Liberia following its presence since 2017. Project description Amplifying Voices is a four-year project (2021-2024) awarded to RFSU to implement activities aimed at establishing a CSO network in Liberia with the primary objective to support and amplify Liberian civil society organizations to be vocal and advance sexual and reproductive rights for all. Given the complexity of SRHR, the way it interconnects with other development, social and cultural issues, in an increasingly interconnected world, issues can seldom be resolved by one person or one organization alone, and collaboration has become vital. Effective collaboration has the potential to be transformative by strengthening social capital and a powerful delivery mechanism for social change.

3 Although RFSU will initially take on the role of convenor, facilitator, and enabler, the project invests heavily in ensuring that the necessary structures, resources, capacities, and values are in place to ensure the network will be sustained beyond this period and continue to contribute positively to SRHR in Liberia. The following network activities are foreseen, but network activities will be ultimately decided by the network members: (a) facilitate the exchange of information;. (b) build capacity in strategic thematic areas;. (c) identify key joint objectives;. (d) (co)implement specific activities; and (e) mobilize resources Given all of the above, this REOI is intended for progressive civil society voices, operating in Liberia, who are committed to joining forces to advance SRHR and who recognize unequivocally that sexual and reproductive rights are grounded in universal human rights.

4 And that these sexual rights - based on the inherent freedom, dignity, and equality of all human beings - must be respected, protected, and fulfilled. 1. Purpose and Requirements Purpose The purpose of the Request for Expressions of Interests (REOI) is to invite interested civil society organizations and other interested organizations or professional groups to submit an Expression of Interest to pre-qualify for an Assessment of Application (AOA) to RFSU as a network member organization. Suitable institutions The REOI is open to Liberian youth organizations, women's rights organizations, LGBTI-organisations, human rights organizations, media groups, feminist groups, academic institutions and professional groups focused on human rights or committed to transforming sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all in Liberia.

5 2. Submission and Selection Understanding of the REOI. This Request for Expression of Interest can be responded to by the submission of a detailed organizational profile, areas of operations, and motivation for membership. Through such reponse, interested organizations acknowledge their full understanding of the REOI in its entirety, that they have made necessary inquiries to RFSU to gain such understanding, as well as declare that they adhere to values and guiding principles. Clarification questions should be submitted in writing via email by the date listed above. Responses will also be exclusively sent via email. RFSU, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to decide not to accept any REOI that, according to its opinion, does not match the desired organizational profile. Such disqualification and/or cancellation will in all cases be at no fault, cost, or liability to RFSU.

6 3. Communication Received communication Verbal communications concerning any part of this process shall not be considered official or effective unless formally confirmed in writing or email by RFSU. In no case would verbal communication govern over written communication or email. Inquiries, questions, and requests for clarification related to this REOI are to be directed through email by the date listed above to No response to this REOI received by RFSU after the indicated deadline shall be taken into consideration for the purpose of this REOI. Evaluation Criteria To move to the next round and be invited to the full AOA process, organizations will have to meet the following requirements: 1. Be legally Registered in Liberia, and provide copies of the registration certificate, updated tax clearance, current accreditation letter/certificate from sectorial or line Government ministries, article of incorporation, and TIN number, or provide a valid justification of non-registration, with evidence of relevant activities/services provided in Liberia, together with 3 references.

7 2. Provide an Expression of Interest by submitting the following: - filled-in the enclosed Potential Network Member Organizational Description Form - a cover letter (max. 2 pages) explaining the organization's motivation for responding to the REOI, , a statement on how the objectives of your organization are in alignment with the network's objectives, and the unique added value or contribution of your organization's membership would bring to the network. - Organizations or groups applying for membership must be actively engaged in respecting, promoting, and fulfilling the rights for all, without any exceptions. 3. RFSU will send a written communication inviting selected organizations to take part in the full AOA process. The selection of the organizations invited to participate in the full AOA process will be at the sole discretion of RFSU.

8 Selection to participate in the full AOA process does not guarantee membership to the network. If no communication is received from RFSU four weeks after the deadline, please consider your response to this REOI unsuccessful. 4. Statement of Work and Shared Values Statement of Work Amplifying Voices is a four-year project (2021-2024) awarded to RFSU to implement activities aimed at establishing a network in Liberia with a primary objective to support and amplify Liberian civil society organizations to be vocal and advance sexual and reproductive rights for all. The underlying theory of change is based on assumptions that if actors within the Liberian civil society meets regularly within a structured form, to build strong ties, exchange information, advocate and act together, it will strengthen the movement for SRHR in Liberia, and positively impact the health and wellbeing of all, including vulnerable and marginalized groups.

9 Through the network, small grants may be issued to the individual member organizations in a transparent and competitive process to attain key network objectives. In addition, members within the network may obtain funding to implement collective activities when needed. Organisations should therefore have the capacity and commitment to develop, implement and coordinate joint activities when required. The network will in addition serve as a distribution channel for information, raise awareness on grassroots challenges and opportunities relating to SRHR and advocate for policies and laws supportive of SRHR in Liberia. Shared Values This REOI is intended for progressive civil society voices, operating in Liberia with the belief that everyone, with no exception, is of equal value, and should have equal rights and freedom to be, choose and enjoy their sexuality from a human rights-based perspective.

10 Additionally, applicants should be committed to working in partnership and have the capacity to develop, implement and coordinate joint activities; value generosity and be committed to the sharing of knowledge and information; exercise leadership that values connectedness and shared ownership; believe in distributed decision-making and be dedicated to accountability, equity, and transparency. 5. General Information All information provided by RFSU in this REOI is offered in good faith. RFSU makes no certification that any item is without error. RFSU is not responsible or liable for any use of the information or for any claims asserted by another party. This REOI does not commit RFSU to pay any costs incurred by interested organizations in the submission of a response. All materials submitted in response to this REOI will become the property of RFSU upon delivery and will be stored and managed confidentially by RFSU, in accordance with applicable Swedish regulations.