EOI for Local NGO in the field of social cohesion and conflict transformation interested in development or professionalization of Psychosocial Support (PSS) activities

1. Context

Working in cooperation with state and civil society agencies from Germany, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, GIZ’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Regional Program contributes to improved health and wellbeing in the Middle East. It promotes the integration of MHPSS-approaches in sectors such as peacebuilding, education, employment or infrastructure, facilitates exchange between relevant actors and strengthens expertise on the ground.

GIZ is implementing the Civil Peace Service (CPS) program in 18 countries with more than 100 international experts and a similar number of local specialists. These experts support local non-governmental organisations and initiatives, state agencies and local authorities as well as national programs and institutions in topics such as dealing with the past, reconciliation and dialogue processes or protection of human rights. In Lebanon the GIZ Civil Peace Service implements projects in the areas of dialogue, conflict transformation and media work. GIZ's CPS supports local Civil Society Organisations in shaping societal change and sustainable development.

CPS and the MHPSS Regional Program cooperate on strengthening expertise of local partners in the nexus between psychosocial support and social cohesion as well as conflict transformation based on the conviction that relational and psychosocial aspects should be integral to peacebuilding. Part of human suffering caused by violent conflicts is the massive damage to human relations and the social fabric of societies. Restoring the social fabric, building trust amongst people and communities as well as acknowledging and addressing the well-being of people, their losses and the emotional impact of conflict, are essential for sustaining peace.

1. Objectives

GIZ CPS and the MHPSS Regional Program are looking for a Lebanese civil society organisation (CSO) interested in cooperation in the development or professionalization of psychosocial activities in the field of social cohesion and peacebuilding.

Since we believe that conflict transformation, social healing and sustainable peace become possible only when the psychosocial needs of individuals, families and communities are sufficiently addressed, we want to deepen our understanding on how we can best support local actors in developing competencies in the overlap between psychosocial support (PSS) and peacebuilding/social cohesion.

We offer: 

• Capacity development opportunities for staff, in particular in the field PSS-peacebuilding
• Technical support in PSS-Peacebuilding and mentoring according to specific organizational needs
• Local subsidy for PSS-Peacebuilding activities (Please note that the subsidy does not replace core funding. Eligible organizations must have additional sources of funding) 
• Networking possibilities and access to CPS support networks

1. Requirements for interested CSOs

• The CSO must be officially registered under the Lebanese rules and regulations
• The CSO is working in the field of social cohesion / peacebuilding / conflict transformation
• The CSO is committed to investing time and resources in the development or professionalization of psychosocial activities in the field of social cohesion / peacebuilding
• The CSO disposes of core funding for the years 2020/2021 to secure its basic functioning

1. Time frame of cooperation

01.06.2020 – 01.06.2021, with possible continuation of cooperation