Call for expressions of interest for the establishment of a community resource center in the North Lebanon

Lebanon has historically experienced significant outward migration. However, in the past three years, the country has faced a severe economic crisis, resulting in a substantial increase in irregular migration to Europe. Recent research conducted by IOM reveals a noticeable rise in the willingness of individuals to migrate irregularly from Lebanon. The majority of irregular migration movements occur along the North Lebanese coast, particularly near Tripoli, which is Lebanon's most impoverished city. The dire economic challenges and lack of services such as healthcare and education in Tripoli contribute to the decision to migrate irregularly. It is important to note that the decision to migrate irregularly from Lebanon primarily stems from the inability to meet practical needs within the country, rather than a preference to leave. Additionally, there are significant barriers to accessing regular migration pathways.

IOM conducted an in-depth research study to explore the intentions, factors, and decision-making processes driving irregular migration among Lebanese individuals, with a focus on high-risk areas in Tripoli and Akkar. The findings of this research have been published in the report “Lost Hope, Lost Lives: Insights into Lebanese Irregular Migration” which provides insights and recommendations to address the drivers of irregular migration from Lebanon and support safe and legal alternatives, such as labour mobility pathways. The full report can be downloaded here.

Expected Results

IOM aims to mitigate the negative impact of the country’s economic crisis on the protection environment for vulnerable Lebanese at risk or prone to irregular migration, in coordination with other partners. IOM seeks to ensure access to protection services for vulnerable individuals through case management and specialized

services to those who are at risk. In particular, casework interventions that meet the immediate needs of individuals at risk of irregular migration and re-migration and group activities and community engagement for psychosocial support and increased information about irregular and regular migration opportunities in their local communities.

Services to be provided

To achieve this, IOM will partner with a local NGO as an Implementing Partner (IP) in Tripoli to establish a Community Resource Centre. The Implementing Partner (IP) can apply to provide the full package of services outlined below, or for only one or two elements.

To undertake the three activities in the resource center, case management, individual and group psychosocial support, and peer-to-peer support, the partner should specify in its proposal if it will provide dedicated human resources (case workers, psychologists, etc.) to achieve these targets as well as their qualifications, or if it expects IOM to provide personnel, and the budget should reflect this accordingly. If the partner provides staff to undertake these activities, IOM will provide training for them to carry out the activities in line with IOM’s approaches to case management, PSS provision, and community engagement.

The Community resource center should have a minimum of 3 rooms, to allow for individual counseling sessions for case management process and for the peer-to-peer discussions. It may be co-located with other projects and activities, as long as they do not impact the aims of the center. Services such as reliable electricity, water, internet, and reception facilities and human resources should be available. The center should be accessible to all community members, and efforts should be made to ensure that vulnerable populations are aware of, and comfortable coming to the center. The partner should also have robust feedback and accountability mechanisms in place to ensure the center meets its goals in line with humanitarian principles and PSEA.

• Case management:

This Centre will provide comprehensive services to vulnerable Lebanese people and other populations who are at risk of irregular migration. Using a case management approach, caseworkers will identify the specific unmet needs of individuals and help them access the necessary services, which include healthcare, education, livelihood support, financial assistance, migration counselling or psychosocial support. The IP will collaborate with external service providers and leverage existing programmes in the area to ensure individuals have access to these services, and will be responsible for the payment of the services received by the individual. The case management assistance expects to reach 100 vulnerable individuals.

• Psychosocial support:

The Community Resource Centre will offer psychosocial support to vulnerable individuals experiencing mental distress due to the socioeconomic and migratory pressures in Lebanon, through regular group PSS sessions. The intervention will target 150 vulnerable individuals with psychosocial support.

• Peer to peer support:

IOM will also encourage open and informed discussions, led by local individuals, about the realities of irregular migration and the importance of safe and alternative options, such as regular labour migration. To achieve this, IOM and the IP will also promote peer-led mutual support groups that will meet regularly at the Community Resource Centre. During these sessions, potential migrants will have access to unbiased, fact-based information about the risks associated with irregular migration, as well as safe alternatives. The peer-led groups, consisting of individuals who have firsthand experience, will share their own knowledge and experiences, fostering open conversations. These discussions will reach 120 individuals.

Indicative Budget

Submitted proposals should be no more than USD 270,000. In line with IOM’s regulations, the budget will be paid in separate installments, depending on agreed project deliverables.

Selection Criteria

Relevance of proposal to achieving expected result (weight 60): 

- Relevance of proposal to achieving expected results

- Expertise on case management, psychosocial support, and community engagement

- Adequacy and clarity of proposed budget (including contribution by CSO)

- Relevant technical expertise and experience in working with a different range of stakeholders at a national and local level

Sustainability of intervention (weight 20):

- Experience in partnering with key institutions related to migrants, including in the context of irregular migration

- National and Local experience, presence, and community relations

- Management ability

Other (weight 20):

- Replicability/scalability

- Mechanisms and approaches to ensure AAP, PSEA, gender mainstreaming, and disability inclusion

- Innovative approaches

Attachments

ANNEX A – Terms of Reference: https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ebsaibess_iom_int/Ec8PMd...

ANNEX B- Implementing Partner References Checklist: https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ebsaibess_iom_int/EdWmfW...

ANNEX C- Implementing Partners General Information Questionnaire: https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ebsaibess_iom_int/ET8maw...

ANNEX D- Concept Note Template: https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ebsaibess_iom_int/EUQZdk...

ANNEX E- Financial and Narrative Reporting Template: https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/ebsaibess_iom_int/EW9bGv... https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ebsaibess_iom_int/Ea-zqu...

ANNEX F- Project Implementation Agreement Template:  https://iomint-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/ebsaibess_iom_int/EU3-zM...

For more information on this partnership opportunity, and to apply, please visit https://www.iom.int/

The organizations responding to this call need to demonstrate their capacity to implement all listed activities as a single package.

IOM reserves the right to cancel/reduce the scope of planned activities or to introduce new/broaden the scope of the existing activities. Selected Implementing partner needs to be ready to develop a detailed budget based on submitted proposal in two weeks upon receiving the notification from IOM.

All applicants will receive written notification, within the two weeks after the deadline for the submission of Concept Note, of the outcome of the selection process. Should an applicant request further clarification, IOM will provide a response explaining the transparency and integrity of the selection process undertaken.

IOM reserves the right to decline disclosure of the specificity of decision derived by the IOM mission due to reasons related to confidentiality.

IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Expression of Interest, and to annul the selection process and reject all Expression of Interest at any time, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing Partners.

For more information, please contact in writing Barbara Pellegrini, Protection program manager, at [email protected]