Objective

The UK has a long and positive history of migration. Most migrants move through safe, legal routes and can access the significant economic benefits of regular migration. These benefits are also experienced by host countries and countries of origin.

However, irregular migration frequently endangers lives, often the most vulnerable. This is particularly concerning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which we anticipate is likely to drive more migrants towards irregular routes. That is why, under the recently published Integrated Review (p.95) we have committed to taking a whole-of-route approach, working through our diplomatic and development network along key migration routes to address the issues that drive irregular migration in the first place.

In this vein, the UK Government is scoping a pilot project which seeks to address the push factors / drivers of irregular migration in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Through this pilot, we aim to test how economically empowering vulnerable individuals through in-country job creation can contribute to addressing irregular migration flows. We are therefore seeking your proposals for projects to achieve this objective.

The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) is a cross government fund that supports and delivers activity to tackle instability and prevent conflicts that threaten UK interests. It has been a catalyst for a more integrated UK government approach, bringing together the UK’s diplomatic, development, military, and security capabilities to support delivery of the UK Government’s top national security priorities.

Project content requirements

We have a limited evidence base on the drivers of irregular migration in the KRI but our research to date indicates a lack of access to livelihoods / unemployment is a top driver for irregular migration in the KRI:

• recent surveys of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Iraq found that, of those surveyed, 55% planned to leave, citing under / unemployment as the top reason for this; similarly, employment was the top reason for emigrating (higher than war, education, or family reunification) amongst youths (18-34) in Iraq
• third-sector research indicates that KRI irregular migration is driven by the juxtaposition of high education levels and limited employment opportunities within rural communities
• research indicates that high education levels in rural KRI communities are not translating into economic opportunities, which may compound aspirations for irregular migration. This is particularly pertinent amongst young men and, as such, any livelihood interventions will need to be targeted to the specific needs of the community

In this vein, we are seeking an implementing partner who uses a “Do No Harm” approach, has a proven track record of working with communities in Iraq which are prone to irregular migration, and is live to the associated protection risks. The implementing partner will:

• implement a project which can provide livelihoods opportunities via job creation to address the socio-economic push factors / drivers of irregular migration in the KRI. Any jobs created should be appropriate to the local market and offer meaningful socio-economic integration
• be able to identify and specifically target those who are most at risk of undertaking high-risk irregular migration to the UK – noting that most irregular migrants typically remain within their region of origin – the beneficiary cohort of this pilot project should be limited to a specific demographic
• systematically collect data on the barriers to livelihoods, migrant experiences, and journeys to build a more comprehensive, holistic picture of the key and emerging drivers of irregular migration in Iraq, and those who may undertake it
• include migration-specific Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) indicators (something which is seldom included in development programmes) to measure the effect of the intervention

Bids for the project should address the following:

• how your organisation is well-equipped with the expertise and resources for this project
• your organisation’s proposed approach to delivering and monitoring the impact of the pilot. Bids should include a particular focus on how they shall measure the value for money impact of their proposed approach. Strong proposals will be high-impact interventions, defined by clear evidence of the potential to deliver solutions that are sustainable and / or scalable
• how your organisation will deliver its activities and outcomes under different COVID-19 scenarios, including full or partial lockdowns and restrictions on local / international travel
• proposals should clearly outline timeframes, costs, risks, and sustainability. Activities should take an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach, working with local organisations and partners wherever possible

Scope and scale

Funding of £500,000 to £1,000,000 will be available for a piloting phase to 31 March 2023, with potential to scale up the programme in subsequent years.

Bidders should not craft proposals in such a way to reach the budget ceiling. Bidders should instead construct their tender to specifically meet the objectives in pursuit of demonstrable impact and value for money.

The funding available will not be categorised as Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Essential skills and competencies of the implementer

The implementer will have:

• experience working on the relevant issues identified in this document, ideally in conducting research and livelihoods activity concurrently
• relevant network of contacts in the UK and in the proposed geography
• experience and familiarity of migration and socio-economic development programming (particularly in job creation)
• programme, project and budget management skills, experience, capabilities, and capacity

Eligibility criteria

The project will be managed under an Accountable Grant Agreement (or MoU for inter-governmental organisations only). Projects in this framework are not allowed to generate a profit for the delivery partner. Proposals from for-profit organisations can only be considered if an officially registered non-profit making arm or division of the for-profit organisation will deliver the project.

Bidding process

The CSSF Team will evaluate all submissions using the selection criteria listed below. Unfortunately, feedback will only be provided to successful bids, as we expect a large amount of interest.

We estimate that the project approved for funding will start in Q2 (July-September) 2022.

All bid submissions must be in English. The Budget must be presented in pounds (GBP).

Please note, we will not consider proposals that are delivered after the submission deadline.

Selection criteria

Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:

• alignment with the terms of reference
• value for money: economy, efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and cost-effectiveness
• project viability: capacity and capability of implementing organisation(s)
• project design: achievable objectives / outputs / outcomes / impact

Please send queries to charles.laidlaw@fcdo.gov.uk, daniel.ward4@homeoffice.gov.uk or caoimhe.udom@fcdo.gov.uk.

• Call for talented individuals to help communities become more resilient to climate change
• Committee works to decide local priorities for flood risk management
• Work supports Environment Agency and local authorities in creating local partnerships to tackle flood risk

As the Environment Agency embarks on the next 6-year period of investment to reduce the risk to over 300,000 homes and businesses across England, it is an exciting time to be joining the committee.

The committee would love to welcome talented and enthusiastic individuals from all backgrounds to join this important committee, to represent the diversity of communities and interests from across the area.

The committee is fundamental in deciding local priorities for flood risk management, approving programmes of work.

It helps to manage flood risk throughout the Trent water catchments across the East and West Midlands and contains major urban centres such as Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham and Leicester, as well as the dramatic landscapes of the Peak District and low-lying ground to north Nottinghamshire and the Isle of Axholme.

It also supports the Environment Agency and local authorities in creating local partnerships to fund and deliver projects, while ensuring resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate change are embedded throughout.

These roles make a real difference to people’s lives, livelihoods and to the environment we live in. Being an RFCC member is an exciting opportunity to guide local flood risk investment. While not a paid role, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be covered.

The Trent RFCC is one of 12 statutory committees across the country that make key decisions on local priorities for flood and coastal risk management. A key role is making sure the aims of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy are embodied within the committee’s decisions and to ensure consistency between strategic and local plans.

Vijith Randeniya, chair of the Trent RFCC, said:

As we look at the world ahead, we do so through a prism where many of our assumed views have been challenged or shattered.

If we think back to 10 years ago, very few of the challenges we have faced in the past two years would have been foreseen or would have seemed likely. It is on that premise that we can predict, with some certainty, that the future holds challenges which are as of yet undefined and will need confronting together.

Joining the RFCC as an independent member will give you an exceptional opportunity to influence and support the local investment to combat those challenges.

Applications are welcome from individuals with an active interest in flood risk management and from a diverse range of backgrounds, with additional interest or experience in climate change and resilience, academia, catchment-based approaches, community engagement, land use and blue-green-grey infrastructure.

Anyone interested in helping communities become more resilient to climate change and joining the Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, see:

Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC)

The closing date is 24 June 2022 and interviews are 11 July 2022.

Due to members’ terms coming to an end, we are recruiting for 2 members to join the Committee in 2022.

Applications are welcome from individuals with an active interest in flood risk management and from a diverse range of backgrounds, with additional interest or experience in one or more of the following:

• Community engagement
• Academia
• Catchment-based approaches – ensuring a holistic approach to risk management, for our current and future communities
• Land use/blue-green-grey infrastructure
• Climate change and resilience

Volunteers’ time commitment

The committee meets 4 times a year, usually at locations within the Trent catchment. Due to restrictions, meetings have recently been held online and this may continue for some meetings, balanced with those in-person (as circumstances allow). Any work you do around the main meetings can be flexible to your own commitments. You will be given at least 6 months’ notice of quarterly meetings dates and times.

Role and how to apply

Typically, members are expected to read papers, join sub-groups if interested, and engage with Environment Agency colleagues and other committee members.

You do not need formal qualifications for this post, but your enthusiasm and commitment to your local community will be important. These are unpaid roles but reasonable expenses, including travel, can be claimed.

For further information please contact the Environment Agency at louise.townrow@environment-agency.gov.uk or 02077 140468.

Further information can be found on: Trent Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

The closing date for applications is Friday 24 June 2022.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, has today met with the leaders of Northern Ireland’s five main political parties; Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin; Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP; Naomi Long, Alliance; Doug Beattie, UUP; and Colum Eastwood, SDLP.

In all his meetings, the Secretary of State reiterated the need to respect the electoral outcome of Thursday’s election and restore the full functioning of the devolved institutions as soon as possible – both the Executive and the Assembly.

All parties agreed on the importance of maintaining political stability. The Secretary of State encouraged all party leaders to come together to form an Executive as soon as possible, starting with the nomination of an Assembly Speaker.

The Secretary of State acknowledged that the Northern Ireland Protocol remains a clear barrier to political stability and re-confirmed that the Government will do whatever it takes to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, in all of its dimensions. He reiterated the Government’s desire to address the outstanding issues by agreement with the EU, but confirmed that the Government stood ready to take further steps to rectify those issues, should that be necessary.

He noted that negotiations with the European Commission related to the Protocol were the responsibility of the UK Government and that they should not stand in the way of restoring the Stormont institutions and enabling the Executive to deliver for all the people of Northern Ireland.

He reiterated the importance of taking advantage of the new provisions in the NI (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act passed earlier this year to enable continuity in decision-making during the Executive formation process. This will ensure existing Northern Ireland ministers can remain in place to oversee NI departments, allow legislation to progress and support the delivery of vital public services.

Speaking after his meetings, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP, said:

“Northern Ireland’s party leaders must come together to agree a way forward to deliver a stable and accountable devolved government.

“The UK Government’s overriding priority remains the preservation of peace and stability in Northern Ireland and the protection of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its strands. The current situation with the Protocol is fundamentally undermining the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and creating an unacceptable situation in Northern Ireland. We will continue to press the EU to agree the crucial changes that are urgently needed but will take nothing off the table in our pursuit of those solutions.

“As I conveyed to party leaders today, our collective focus must be on the restoration of the Stormont institutions so that those newly elected representatives can come together and deliver in the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.

“I will remain in close contact with the party leaders over the coming days.”