Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India is a registered not-for-profit organization established in New Delhi, India in 1998 nurturing the culture of giving with impact. For more than two decades now, we are providing strategic advisory and management support to corporates and individuals to ensure greater impact of their CSR and philanthropic investments. We do this by working closely with national, local and hyperlocal NGOs, building alliances, enhancing capacities and linking with relevant local governments. In India, we worked with close to 300 donors. We have managed social development projects together with over 5,200 NGOs. We have been associated with most NGOs that we have worked with for over 3 years. We have executed over 5,000 projects across multiple thematic areas, with projects worth INR 5 billion in the last 5 years.
Our core services are both donor and NGO-facing.
We provide end-to-end support to our donors which makes us their sought after partners. Our offerings towards donors include CSR advisory, Research, Program Conceptualization and Designing, Program Implementation, Grant management, Due-diligence, Validation and Capacity Building, Monitoring & Reporting, Payroll Giving, Employee Engagement, Impact communications, Campaigns, Evaluation, Audits.
For NGOs, we support the leadership group to identify programmes and ideas that they would like to scale payroll and support staffing, backend reporting, compliances and accounting, development of policies, systems and processes that they require, impact tracking and branding (marketing and communication). We also render support to NGOs in ways that strengthen their credibility; enhances their visibility among donors; and improves their organizational practices for sustainable resource generation.
B. CONTEXT
CAF is rolling out this RFP for one of our corporate partners that wishes in supporting a comprehensive change program that aims at filling up the gaps in schools in rural villages of Karnataka (districts close to Bangalore) as a pilot project and depending upon the success of the program will scale it to neighbouring states of Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
C. PROPOSED PROGRAMME DETAILS
OBJECTIVE
Children belonging to low income households are often subjected to education only on paper devoid of any quality learning. While it is important to focus on increasing the number of children from underprivileged backgrounds gain formal education but it is also imperative to focus on providing a quality education to such children. The program will be designed to cater to the unique needs of these children. Whether it is providing access to quality textbooks, improving the infrastructure of schools, or creating a supportive learning environment, each program will be aimed at unlocking the potential of these young minds. Through these initiatives, the program seeks to instil a love of learning and a sense of empowerment that will stay with these children long after they leave the classroom.
Need of the Project
There have been several reports on the shortcomings related to infrastructure in the government schools of Karnataka.
- According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2020, more than 14% of
government schools in Karnataka do not have toilets for girls, and around 6% do not have toilets for boys. The report also highlights the issue of inadequate toilet maintenance and cleanliness in many schools. - Poor Classroom Infrastructure: A survey conducted by the Karnataka State Quality Assessment and Accreditation Council (KSQAAC) found that many government schools in the state lack basic classroom infrastructure such as blackboards, fans, and lights. The survey found that around 30% of schools in the state do not have proper seating arrangements for students, while 20% of schools do not have access to drinking water.
- Lack of Computer Education Facilities: According to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), only 11% of government schools in Karnataka have computer education facilities. The report also highlights the issue of inadequate computer teachers and maintenance of computer labs in schools that do have such facilities.3
- Poor Condition of School Buildings: A survey conducted by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board found that many government schools in the state have poor building infrastructure and are at risk of collapse. The survey found that around 15% of schools in the state have dilapidated buildings and are in need of urgent repair.
Project Location
Preference 1- Karnataka (semi urban areas around Bangalore)
Preference 2- Telangana (semi urban areas around Hyderabad)
Preference 3- Tamil Nadu (semi urban areas around Chennai)
Project Activities and Outcomes
The Education programme will be designed under two phases covering basic infrastruture support in the Phase 1 and Advanced Digital learning in the Phase 2. The programme will have 4 different facets such as
Phase 1- Basic Engagement
1. Filling up School Infrastructure Gaps
a. Improving Learning Spaces- Identification of schools that are operating from open structures and require resources for construction of quality school building, classrooms, labs etc. Interventions focusing on improving such schools and turning them to child friendly learning spaces.
b. Establishing Digital Infrastructure- Enhancing and strengthening digital infrastructure to equip students towards efficient learning mechanism through the use of technology by way of Smart Class Rooms and achieve higher standards of teaching and learning outcomes. Create an opportunity to provide for constructive technical education solution for the slow learners and underprivileged first time learners from communities. Integration of Smart classrooms should be in such a way that it will also benefit the teachers by improving their productivity and effectiveness. Enabling them to quickly assess and evaluate the learning achieved by their students in class. Interventions can additionally aid in refurbishment of computer systems or provision of new systems as per the requirement.
c. Establishing STEM Labs- STEM Labs would promote active learning in the school ecosystem. Keeping in mind the natural progression of learning in the school ecosystem ensure a laboratory type environment where students can conduct experiments and simulations in a controlled environment. A dedicated space which will ensure access to a student-centered, student-driven space where students feel empowered to engage in innovative hands-on learning and problem-solving mechanisms.
d. WASH related Interventions- Many schools in rural India have inadequate access to water facilities, sanitation and hygiene promotions which has a detrimental effect on the health and school attendance. Activities focusing on ensuring a reliable water system that provides safe and sufficient water, especially for hand-washing and drinking; sufficient number of toilets for students and teachers that are private, safe, clean, and culturally and gender appropriate; water-use and hand-washing facilities, including some close to toilets; and sustained hygiene promotion. Facilities that caters to all, including small children, girls of menstruation age, and children with disabilities.
Expected Outcomes for Activity 1:
- Infrastructure led interventions should contribute towards improving the student enrolment ratio, classroom participation and reduce the dropout rates etc
- STEM led interventions should improve the overall learning outcomes of the student and the teachers. Help them adapt to the changing environment and improve their future prospects.
- WASH led interventions should not only reduce the overall student dropout rates, reduction of diarrheal disease and other hygiene-related diseases in school students; improved WASH knowledge, attitudes and hygiene behaviours among students; reduced disease burden and improved hygiene behaviours in students’ households and communities
2. Training and Capacity Building
a. Capacity Building on STEM integration- Capacitating the school teachers on STEM infrastructure, innovative theory and practices (STEM Lab related activities and on new methodologies of teaching).
b. Provision of training materials- including aids/models/ TLMsto the schools to enhance
their ability to adopt the experiential hands-on approach in their classrooms.
c. Capacity Building on Student Engagement- Supporting the school teachers through further enhancement of their capabilities to engage the students and developing their interest in application-based learning through hands-on experiences using the science, math and electronics kits with an ultimate goal of making STEM as the DNA of school system.
d. Student Ambassadors- Training students to become Champions of change within their schools and their communities ensuring they become proponents of change and drive communications around WASH and digital technologies
Expected Outcomes for Activity 2:
Improved capacities of the teachers
- Upgrade in their readiness to integrate technology in their regular teaching and learning process inside the classroom and how to deliver effective sessions by using digital tools as a teaching aid
3. Green Schools:
a. Providing schools with resources and practical activities to reduce water consumption, optimize energy efficiency, reduce air pollution and promote sustainable mobility, minimize waste generation, catch and recycle water, and provide a healthier space for students. With help from students, a mobile application is used to audit schools on six critical areas – air, energy, water, waste, food, and land.
Online analytics allow schools to deploy pragmatic solutions to reduce the waste of
precious resources.
Expected Outcomes for Activity 3-
- This will not only empower students to use natural resources judiciously but suc activities will also imbibe a sustainable way of living among the students.
- In addition, schools that will incorporate this concept will be able to bring down their energy consumption and reduce their waste generation
Phase 2- Advanced Engagement
4. Exposure to New-Age Technology
- The program will help students prepare themselves for the future with rapidly evolving needs in the Technology world by creating awareness and hands-on learning on topics such as future tech, coding, artificial intelligence, big data and web and mobile app development, IOT etc.
- The program will help students in improving their career choices, problem-solving ability, computational thinking, and career opportunities in the long run in order to become future-ready.
Employee Engagement
Any opportunity for integrating employee engagement within the programme at different levels across the proposed programme activities
Project Budget
The proposed budget for the overall programme will be around INR 5 Cr for a period of 1 year
RFP Process
The deadline for the proposal submission will be 23rd May 2023. The proposals from NGOs will be evaluated on the following aspects
1. Technical proposal
2. Financial proposal
3. Organizational Details
The technical proposal will cover the following
1) Baseline study specific to the proposed geography (if any)
2) Proposed interventions with the impact indicators clearly defined and the methodology on how the impact indicators will be calculated
3) Comprehensive Work Plan detailing out each activity along with its timeline
4) The sampling of the schools and the rationale behind it
5) Any example of prior experience of working with students in government schools and
understanding of various nuances on ground will be preferred
6) Risk Mapping
7) Sustainability
8) Proposed Team Structure
9) Reporting frequency
The financial proposal will cover the following.
1) Overall programme budget
2) Budget breakdown – Detailed cost breakdown as below
a. Direct cost Purchases
b. Direct cost services (Dedicated services eg. Salaries)
c. Shared resources cost
d. If Labor works, Vendor quotations above 10lakhs
e. Any labor cost above 50lakhs – Architect/ Valuer certificate
3) Audit Certificate for full grant value within 6 months of Completion
4) Administrative costs to be within 5 percent
5) Is it possible to share the List of beneficiaries with Unique Identification Number.
For the below section, please share the responses in a separate word doc with responses to each entry. Please attach the requested documents wherever mentioned. The organizational profile will include :
1) Organization details with registration details and the type of registration
2) Name and contact details of authorized contact person
3) Previous work on similar theme with brief description of the project (beneficiaries, donors)
4) Details of the board member’s/governing body members and key team members
5) CSR form-1 (to be attached)
6) FCRA status
7) FCRA number
8) Registration u/s 80G
9) Registration u/s 12A
10) Registration u/s 35AC (if any)
11) FC-4 and list of international donors
12) Whether any tax related matters/investigation is pending?
13) Does your organisation adhere to the local statutory rules and regulations
14) Does the organisation or any of its members have any adverse orders
against it?
15) Whether the entity or its director/officer has any pending civil or criminal proceedings
against it in any judicial, quaci-judicial or departmental proceedings?
16) Whether any director or officer of the entity has directorship or other responsibility in any other trust/entity?
17) Whether DIN of any director is subject to disqualification under MCA?
18) Whether any of the directors had any directorship or responsibility in any of the entity made defunct by MCA?
19) Name & details of statutory auditor
20) PAN number
21) EPF Account Number (if any)
22) Most recent income tax return filed
23) Previous 3 years annual reports (Need to be attached)
24) Previous 3 years audited financials (Need to be attached)
25) Is the organisation or any of its members currently undergoing any investigation on money laundering or terror related activities?
26) Which schedule VII activities does the program fall under?
27) Whether the program falls within the Aims & Objectives/MoA of the applying organisation / NGO?
28) Whether the program location is within 150 km radius of Chennai/Hyderabad/Bengaluru? *If yes, provide specific details
29) Whether the organisation is registered with NITI Aayog portal – “Darpan”
30) Whether organization engages in any commercial activity (i.e. engages in any revenue
generating activities)
Please send in your proposals along with the budget and the organizational details to
partnerships@cafindia.org latest by 11:59pm, 23rd May 2023.
Please send in your submissions with Subject Line in the given format: CAFI/RFP-Digital Inclusion/2023/”Insert your organisation name”
In case of any query please reach out to the above id before 20th May 2023.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- This is a Request for Proposals only, and in no way binds CAFI to make an award. CAFI shall not be obligated to inform or provide a feedback for rejection of proposal.
- CAFI reserves the right to request responses to questions and conduct negotiations with any potential implementing partner
- CAFI will not be liable for any cost incurred during preparation, submission, or negotiation of an award for this RFP.
- Proposals must certify the financial viability and adequacy of resources of the agency/organization to complete the proposed assignment within the agreed time
