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Selection of Citizen Associations and Allocation of Funds to Associations

Institution that advertises: Ministry of Health

Application deadline: 14/02/2018

Based on Article 55, Paragraph 1 of the Law on Organization and Work of State Administration Bodies ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" no. 58/2000, 44/2002, 82/2008, 167/10, and 51/11), Article 16, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Law on Health Protection ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" no. 43/12, 145/12, 87/13, 164/13, 39/14, 43/14, 132/14, 188/14, 10/15, 61/15, 154/15, 192/15, 17/16, and 37/16), the Program for Protection of the Population from HIV Infection in the Republic of Macedonia for 2018 ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" no. 17/2018), and the Decision on the Implementation of a Public Call for selection of citizen associations and allocation of funds to associations that will carry out activities defined in the Program for Protection of the Population from HIV Infection in the Republic of Macedonia for 2018 ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" no. 17/2018), No. 17-1228/1 dated 06.02.2018, the Ministry of Health announces the following:

Public Call

For the selection of citizen associations and allocation of funds to those which will implement activities defined in the Program for Protection of the Population from HIV Infection in the Republic of Macedonia for 2018 ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia" no. 17/2018).

I. Subject of the Public Call:

Selection of citizen associations and allocation of funds to associations that will implement activities defined in the Program for Protection of the Population from HIV Infection in the Republic of Macedonia for 2018.

II. Contracting Authority:

Ministry of Health, located at:
50 Divizija Street No. 6, 1000 Skopje
Phone: +389 2 3125-044 ext. 125
Website: www.moh.gov.mk

Contact Person:
Nikola Grpchevski
Phone: +389 2 311 25 00
Fax: +389 2 311 30 14
Email: nikola.grpcevski@zdravstvo.gov.mk

III. Duration of the Contract:

Contracts signed between the Ministry of Health and the selected citizen associations shall be valid until the end of the 2018 fiscal year.

IV. Conditions for Participation in the Public Call

In order to participate in the procedure of the Public Call for the selection of citizen associations and allocation of funds to associations that will implement activities defined in the Program for the Protection of the Population from HIV Infection in the Republic of Macedonia for 2018 (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No.17/2018”), interested associations must meet the following eligibility criteria and submit proof thereof:

The association must be registered in accordance with the Law on Associations and Foundations;
The association must have been actively working with key affected populations (people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, or people living with HIV) during the last three years;
The association must have relevant expertise and experience — having implemented at least three projects or one multi-year project with a total duration of no less than three years, providing stationary and/or outreach HIV prevention and support services for key populations, independently or in partnership;
The association must have adequate human resource capacity to carry out the proposed activities.

Required Documentation for Participation in the Public Call

A computer-filled standardized application form, signed by the legal representative of the association and stamped (in the prescribed format which is part of the public call);
A detailed financial plan (submitted as a separate document);
A current status extract from the Central Registry (not older than 6 months);
A copy of the association’s Statute;
The association's work program or strategic framework;
A copy of the latest financial statement (for the year 2016);
Proof of implementation of at least three projects, or one multi-year project of no less than three years duration, for providing stationary and/or outreach HIV-related prevention and support services for key populations — either independently or in partnership (copies of signed contracts and project implementation reports);
Proof of appropriate staffing capacity: a declaration from the association regarding engaged staff; professional CVs of the individuals who will be involved in project implementation (in the prescribed format part of the public call);
At least one recommendation/reference from partners or donors on previous project implementation;
Written support from other organizations or institutions expected to participate in the project (if implemented in partnership).

V. Types of Activities to Be Supported

Within the scope of this Public Call, program activities in the following areas of work will be financially supported:

1. HIV Prevention among Key Populations – Programs for Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Skopje, Tetovo, Ohrid, Štip, and Strumica

These programs aim to reach a total of 5,000 persons from the MSM population with a basic service package (condom, lubricant, educational materials). Funded activities must focus on increasing coverage among this population and include the operation of a counselling centre in Skopje offering direct counselling, info-line and web portal support, psychosocial support, as well as stationary and field services by outreach workers, and HIV education in the five municipalities. A total of MKD 6,053,000.00 has been allocated for this component.

2. HIV Prevention among Key Populations – Programs for People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) in Skopje (3 centres), Tetovo, Gostivar, Kičevo, Ohrid, Struga, Bitola, Kavadarci, Strumica, Gevgelija, Prilep, Štip, Veles, and Kumanovo

These programs aim to reach 4,750 individuals from the target group with a basic service package (sterile needle and syringe set, condom, educational materials) through needle and syringe exchange programs, condom/lubricant distribution, educational materials, stationary and outreach services by outreach, social, and medical workers, HIV education, and motivation for addiction treatment. There are 16 sites in total: three in Skopje and one in each of the 13 other listed cities. MKD 21,670,000.00 has been allocated for this activity.

3. HIV Prevention among Key Populations – Programs for Sex Workers (SW) in Skopje (2 centres), Tetovo, Gostivar, Ohrid, Bitola, Strumica, and Gevgelija

These programs target 1,850 individuals in the sex worker population with the basic service package (condom, lubricant, educational materials) via eight established stationary and outreach programs, including outreach, social work, peer education, and other activities across seven cities. A total of MKD 7,538,000.00 is allocated.

4. Positive Prevention and Psychosocial Support for People Living with HIV and Their Partners, Including MSM Prevention

Activities include peer counselling, socio-therapeutic groups, training on positive prevention, accompaniment to health services and treatment, at-home or hospital support, educational materials, accident reimbursement, basic food/hygiene packages, support for hospitalized patients, linkage with institutions and NGOs, sensitization and training of health workers to reduce HIV-related discrimination, production of educational content, public awareness campaigns, and mobilization of support. This also includes MSM-targeted prevention with testing and counselling. Targets: at least 80 people living with HIV (≥30 newly-enrolled) and at least 150 individuals with HIV testing and counselling. A total of MKD 1,709,000.00 is allocated.

5. Field and Stationary HIV Testing and Counselling for Key Populations

This program includes field testing and counselling via two mobile units, provision of testing materials, data collection, stationary testing, condom/lubricant distributions, awareness and capacity building for HIV service providers. Expected coverage: 4,170 individuals (MSM 2,250; PWID 984; SW 744; 192 incarcerated individuals) with the basic package (pre-test counselling, rapid HIV test, post-test counselling) across Skopje and 13 other cities. Each outreach team includes three people (counsellor, lab technician, and peer/key-contact). A total of MKD 3,694,400.00 allocated.

6. Psychosocial Support for People in Drug Dependence Treatment

This involves outreach work in drug-use areas and homes, social interventions (help with insurance documents), self-help groups, information helpline, anonymous counselling by psychiatrists or psychologists, creative workshops, syringe pickup, infection prevention, stigma reduction, and raising awareness. Target: 300 persons in drug dependence treatment. Total budget: MKD 1,845,000.00.

7. Diagnosis and Treatment of STIs & Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services for Key Populations and Youth

Supported through youth‑friendly SRH services and mobile gynaecology unit in Skopje, the activity aims to increase access to quality SRH among MSM, PWID, SW, PLHIV and their partners, youth, Roma, and rural women. Services include gynaecological exams and counselling (STI diagnosis, therapy, contraception, ultrasound), dermatovenerology services, HIV testing and psychosocial counselling, condom/lubricant distribution, and educational materials. Expected to reach 1,164 clients (MSM 480; SW 504; PWID 180; youth 406 for STI testing and/or gynaecological exams). Total budget: MKD 4,700,000.00.

VI. Right to Participate

All interested civil society organizations (CSOs) registered in accordance with the Law on Associations have the right to participate.
Interested CSOs may submit an application for one, two, or more activities listed in Section IV of the Public Call:

HIV Prevention among key populations – MSM programs in Skopje, Tetovo, Ohrid, Štip, and Strumica
HIV Prevention among key populations – PWID programs in Skopje (3), Tetovo, Gostivar, Kičevo, Ohrid, Struga, Bitola, Kavadarci, Strumica, Gevgelija, Prilep, Štip, Veles, and Kumanovo
HIV Prevention among key populations – SW programs in Skopje (2), Tetovo, Gostivar, Ohrid, Bitola, Strumica, and Gevgelija
Positive prevention and psychosocial support for PLHIV and their partners with MSM prevention
Outreach HIV testing and counselling for key populations
Psychosocial support for persons undergoing drug dependency treatment
Diagnosis and treatment of STIs and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for key populations and youth

VII. Duration of the Public Call

The public call remains open for 7 days from the date of publication in both daily newspapers.
The Public Call is also published on the website of the Ministry of Health: www.moh.gov.mk

VIII. Deadline and Place for Submitting Documentation

The deadline for submission is until 3:00 PM on the last day of the Public Call, counting from the day of publication in both newspapers.
Documentation must be submitted in a sealed envelope to the archive of the Ministry of Health, located at:
"50 Divizija" St. No. 6, 1000 Skopje,
with the label:
"Application for the public call for selection of civil society organizations and allocation of funds for the implementation of activities defined in the Program for Protection of the Population from HIV Infection in the Republic of Macedonia for 2018 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No.17/2018)."

Applications submitted after the deadline will be rejected as late and will be returned unopened.

IX. Procedure for Selecting CSOs and Allocating Funds

The selection procedure for CSOs and allocation of funds for implementing activities under the 2018 National HIV Protection Program is conducted by a Commission within the Ministry of Health.
Applications must be submitted within the deadline stated in the public call.
The Commission will only review applications that meet the requirements listed in Section IV of the Public Call.
Applications will be reviewed in the presence of all Commission members.
The selection of CSOs will be based on the criteria stated in the Public Call.
All organizations that meet the requirements, as proposed by the Commission, will be selected and will sign individual contracts with the Ministry.

X. Notification Procedure

The participating associations in the public call will be notified in writing within 7 (seven) days about the results of the Public Call for the selection of civil society organizations and allocation of funds to those organizations that will implement activities defined in the Program for Protection of the Population from HIV Infection in the Republic of Macedonia for 2018 ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No.17/2018").