Request for Proposals – ACTIF

Context

Equitas advances equality, social justice and respect for human dignity through transformative human rights education programs in Canada and around the world. To deliver on our mission, Equitas’ programming contributes to the empowerment of individuals and groups to challenge inequality and discrimination and take action to respect, protect and defend human rights.

Dignity Network Canada (DNC) is a national coalition of 60 member organizations involved in or interested in the human rights of people around the world, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). DNC provides opportunities for Canadian civil society organizations and their global partners to connect, share and advocate together on SOGIESC-related human rights issues. DNC is a national, nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Dignity Network Canada is a partner with Equitas in the Act Together for Inclusion Fund.

Launched in 2020, the Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF) is an outcome of significant efforts made by Dignity Network Canada and its members to advocate for greater Canadian government support for advancing the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, two-spirit and intersex (LGBTQ2I) people internationally. The launch of ACTIF therefore marks a historic moment for Canadian funding for international LGBTQ2I initiatives. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and managed by Equitas in partnership with DNC, ACTIF aims to enhance the respect, protection and fulfillment of the human rights of LGBTQ2I persons in countries in the Global South, and specifically those eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA). The Fund will strengthen a network of Canadian LGBTQ2I organizations and build solidarity with local LGBTQ2I civil society organizations (CSOs) with additional, or previously inaccessible, opportunities to implement programming in the Global South.

 

Project

This particular project will engage an external facilitator to convene Two Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQI leaders and organizations interested in international solidarity work and develop a set of recommendations or ideas for Dignity Network Canada, for Equitas and potentially, for Global Affairs Canada, in terms of support for transnational solidarity work related to Indigenous communities. There is a complementary project being conducted with trans and non-binary communities.

The contract start date will be May 1 with all meetings done by July 15 and final report submitted by August 15.

 

CONTRACT DETAILS

Overall Goal: Engage with a number of Two Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQI organizations and individuals in Canada with experience or interest in international work to develop a brief report with recommendations related to transnational Indigenous solidarity and human rights work.

Information Needs:

Equitas and DNC, through their partnership in ACTIF, would like advice on the creation of a Two Spirit and LGBTQI Indigenous engagement strategy to explore existing international work and relationships between Two Spirit groups, individuals and organizations from Canada and Indigenous-led SOGIESC organizations in overseas ODA eligible countries. Organized through the form of a series of meetings, this group will also explore needs and priorities to strengthen this work and how Dignity Network Canada and the Fund, and perhaps other funding sources, can adapt to support international queer Indigenous-led projects and initiatives.

 

Activities:

• Develop a consultation plan that includes a series of in-person and online meetings.
• In collaboration with DNC and Equitas, including an Indigenous member of the ACTIF Advisory Committee, develop the list of key informants and participants in the consultations.
• Analyze, in collaboration with the Equitas and DNC the results of the process.
• Produce a report on the outcomes that will provide some overview and recommendations to DNC and Equitas.

 

Deliverables:

• A final report (between 5 and 10) pages plus a 1-page executive summary.
• The briefing report will provide key findings and recommendations to both Equitas and DNC around the future of engagement with Indigenous Two Spirit organizations interested in international assistance work.
• The report should include recommendations that can provide actionable information to Global Affairs Canada and other federal funding agencies through the Funding Advocacy efforts of Equitas, DNC and Indigenous-led organizations
• A presentation back to the ACTIF Advisory Committee, DNC and Equitas members on the overall findings and recommendations.
• Facilitate all activities through an Indigenous cultural framework.

 

Facilitator Budget:

Maximum $7,000 plus HST

Note: This project also has budgeted an additional $5,000 for honoraria for consultation participants.

 

Timeline of work:

Meetings to happen between May 1 to July 15 2023, and report to be submitted by August 15.

 

Proposal requirements:

• Please describe how you would undertake the above-mentioned activities, as well as any additional activities, within the required timeline and budget.
• Please describe previously completed contracts/experience that have prepared you for this project.
• Please describe your experience in the areas of consultation and community engagement – in particular, your experience in Indigenous and Two Spirit LGBTQI communities.
• Summarize the Cultural Frameworks and community engagement methodologies from Canadian and Global Indigenous Cultures that you plan to use to implement the consultancy.
• Please provide contact information of a previous client for whom you have undertaken similar work, who can act as a reference.
• Please keep your submission to under 3 pages (not including CV)
• Individuals who identify as Two-Spirit or Indigenous LGBTQI are strongly encouraged to apply and self-identify.

Please submit to evoyer@equitas.org by 5:00 PM Eastern, Monday, May 1st 2023.