SELECTION OF NGOs FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UNDER THE EPIC PROJECT

Background

The Centre for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection as well as its international Partners: the University College, London  - UK and FLACSO – Argentina  and with funding from the UK National Institute of Health and Care Research, is implementing in Ghana, the project titled: Building Strategic Intersectoral Coalitions to Advance Early Childhood Development, also nicknamed EPIC (Engaging Policymakers in Intersectoral Collaboration for Children in Early Childhood).

The EPIC Project seeks to strengthen early childhood development (ECD) outcomes by studying what models work best for successful intersectoral collaboration, including approaches to ensure that children’s voices and community perspectives inform policy and plans.

As part of this initiative, CLCD will subcontract one selected non-governmental organisation (NGO) per district to undertake specific community engagement activities across five districts in Ghana:

·      Builsa North (Upper East Region),

·      Sunyani Municipality (Bono Region),

·      Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Greater Accra Region),

·      Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (Western Region) and

·      Biakoye District (Oti Region)

Purpose of the Call

CLCD invites applications from qualified and experienced NGOs to support the community engagement component of the EPIC Project. The selected organisations will help raise awareness about the project, collect community-level data to identify existing gaps in early childhood care and development, and facilitate children’s participation through creative and participatory approaches.

Scope of Work and Key Activities

The engagement will cover a period of three to four months, with payment made per deliverable.
Activities will be implemented in two (2) components as follows:

1.     Community Engagement

a)     Participant Community Sessions: Facilitate participatory sessions with key community stakeholders, including parents of children with disabilities, religious leaders, and other relevant groups, to identify needs and gaps in early childhood care and development.

b)    Media Engagement: Organize community radio discussions, interviews, and other local media activities to promote awareness of the EPIC Project.

2.     Child Participation

a)     Build Me a Future (BMAF): Coordinate school-based activities where children aged 5 - 8 design models of their ideal communities, reflecting what they would like their leaders to do for them in the next 5 - 10 years. This will cover fifteen (15) schools.

b)    Child Parliament: Support the facilitation of activities or establish (where necessary), child parliaments in collaboration with Regional Directors from the Department of Children (DOC) of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Local Steering Committee in the district.

Training and Support

Selected NGOs will receive training from the CLCD Research Team on:

  • Understanding the EPIC Project and its objectives

  • Ethical data collection and consent processes

  • Effective facilitation of FGDs and participatory activities

Monitoring and technical support will be provided by CLCD or its representative.

Deliverables and Reporting

Each NGO will be expected to:

  • Conduct assigned community engagement and child participation activities within the agreed timeline;

  • Submit monthly reports including activity summaries, participant lists, photos, and videos and media clippings;

  • Provide all documentation through the Monitoring and Evaluation personnel from CLCD.

  • Ensure that all reports reflect inclusive participation and accurate data collection.

 Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Interested organisations must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Be a registered non-profit organisation in Ghana.

  2. Not be part of the EPIC Project Steering Committee.

  3. Have completed at least one external audit within the last three years.

  4. Demonstrate proven experience in community mobilisation, advocacy, and work with children and youth.

  5. Have prior operational experience in or familiarity with the district or region of interest.

  6. Have experience implementing projects funded by donor agencies (added advantage).

  7. Possess qualified staff or demonstrate the ability to recruit competent personnel for project delivery.

 Application Requirements

Interested NGOs should submit the following documents as separate attachments via email:

  1. A brief organisational profile, including key areas of expertise, key personnel, experience with similar projects and district(s) of operation (1 page);

  2. A Letter of Interest explaining your organisation’s suitability for this assignment (1 page);

  3. Work plan and implementation strategy outlining how the organisation intends to carry out the community engagement and child participation activities including key target participants, selection plans etc.  (2 pages);

  4. Budget proposal within the range of GHS 40,000 – 50,000 for the engagement period;

  5. Copy of certificate of registration and most recent audit report; and

  6. References (names and contact information) from at least two recent projects or partners.

Format

Font type: Times New Roman

Font size: 12

Spacing: 1.15 line spacing

Submission Details

All applications should be submitted by email only to:  clcdghana@gmail.com
with the subject line: “Application – Community Engagement under EPIC Project.”

Deadline for submission: Friday, 5th February 2026, 5:00 PM (GMT)

Please note that only shortlisted organizations will be contacted for interviews or further discussions.

 Contracting and Payment

Successful applicants will be engaged under a contract with CLCD.
Payments will be made either per deliverable or on a milestone basis, following satisfactory completion and submission of approved reports.