Request for Proposal: Endline Evaluation Regranting Projects

Endline Evaluation Regranting Projects 

Objective:

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of Masartech and DRF as regranting mechanisms and to provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen future grantmaking initiatives.

Duration of the research task:

• Starting day ASAP
• The final evaluation report is to be submitted by the end of December 2025

Budget: TBD

Programme name: Masarouna, Digital Rights Fund 

Partners: SMEX’s Subgrantees. 

About us:

SMEX is a non-profit that advocates for and advances human rights in digital spaces across West Asia and North Africa.

Our vision is for everyone living in West Asia-North Africa and the diaspora to be able to access and engage with the internet, mobile services, and other networked spaces safely and without fear of censorship, surveillance, or repercussion.

Our mission SMEX advances freedom of expression and the right to privacy in WANA through research and reporting, monitoring state and tech companies’ policies, protecting the safety and security of online users, and collaborating with regional advocates to sustain a safer digital space.

Projects Overviews:

SMEX has managed two central regranting mechanisms: Masartech and the Digital Rights Fund (DRF). These programs provided financial and technical support to civil society organizations and initiatives across the SWANA region working on digital rights, civic space, and technology-driven advocacy and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

As both programs approach the end of their cycles, SMEX seeks an external evaluation to assess their performance, document outcomes, and generate lessons learned for future programming and funding models.

Masarouna mobilizes the power of young people in the SWANA so they can claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). We worked with and for young people, and together we forged new pathways through influencing and strengthening civil society. Under the Masarouna project, we have an intervention named Sunbgranting. 

The MasarTech Fund 2025 invites individuals, activists, and organizations across Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for projects running from September 2024 till June 2025. The fund supports innovative digital initiatives that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) online, with a focus on advocacy, campaigning, and capacity strengthening.  

The Digital Rights Fund for WANA offers grants of up to $30,000 for projects lasting 6–12 months, open to individuals, informal groups, unregistered organizations, and entities across the region. The fund supports initiatives addressing urgent digital rights challenges, including surveillance, spyware, cybercrime, internet censorship, and content moderation. 

Evaluation Purpose, and Learning Questions:

The primary purpose of the evaluation is to assess the extent to which the program has achieved its intended objectives, provide insights for learning, and offer recommendations for future interventions. This evaluation will serve multiple purposes, including accountability to stakeholders, informed decision-making for program improvement, and documenting best practices and lessons learned.

Key criteria include:

• Evaluating the program’s effectiveness in achieving its stated goals.
• Assessing efficiency in resource utilization and implementation processes.
• Examining the impact on target beneficiaries and communities.
• Identifying challenges and opportunities for sustainability.
• Providing actionable recommendations for program scaling or adjustment.

The evaluation will be guided by specific questions, such as:

Assess relevance & alignment

• To what extent did the regranting programs (Masartech & DRF) address pressing digital rights and civic space challenges in the MENA region?
• Did the subgrants align with the strategic goals of SMEX and with the needs of local organizations?

Assess effectiveness

• Did the regranting process successfully support grantees in achieving their project objectives?
• What outcomes (expected and unexpected) were achieved by grantees?

Assess efficiency

• Were the funds allocated and managed in a timely, transparent, and cost-effective way?
• How effective were SMEX’s processes (grantmaking, due diligence, monitoring, support to grantees)?

Assess impact

• What broader changes or contributions did the regranting mechanisms make to strengthening digital rights, civic space, and local CSOs in the region?
• Did grantees expand their capacities, networks, or influence as a result?

Assess sustainability

• To what extent are the supported organizations and their projects likely to continue generating results beyond the grant period?
• Did SMEX’s regranting approach contribute to longer-term organizational strengthening and resilience?

Learning & recommendations

• What worked well in the design and implementation of the regranting mechanisms?
• What challenges or gaps should be addressed in future rounds/funds?
• What recommendations can be made to improve future regranting programs (both for SMEX and for funders)?

Methodology and Approach:

The evaluation will employ a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Data Collection can include:

• Surveys with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Key informant interviews with program staff, subgrantees, and donors.
• Focus group discussions with community members.
• Document reviews, including program reports, policy documents, and financial records and other products produced under the subgranting scheme.
• Sampling Strategy: A purposive sampling approach will be used to ensure representation across different beneficiary groups and program locations.

Data Analysis Techniques:

• Qualitative analysis using thematic coding.
• Quantitative analysis using statistical tools to identify trends and impact.

Ethical Considerations: 

The evaluation will strictly adhere to UNEG Ethical Guidelines, emphasizing integrity, impartiality, and respect for confidentiality. Ethical approval will be sought when necessary, particularly for assessments involving sensitive topics or vulnerable populations.

Respondents’ rights will be safeguarded through informed consent processes, ensuring voluntary participation and protection from any potential harm. Data will be handled securely, maintaining anonymity where required. Evaluators will remain independent and transparent, mitigating any conflicts of interest to uphold credibility

DELIVERABLES  

The selected evaluator (s) are expected to produce the following deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Inception Report - containing proposed detailed methodology, including analytical framework to be applied for analysis, and detailed work-plan specifying activities and timelines agreed with SMEX 

Deliverable 2: Primary data collection tools, including data collection plan and ethical consideration of data collection and use

Deliverable 3: Summary of primary and secondary data findings with reference materials/links, annexure, photos, etc., and presentation of key findings session

Deliverable 4: First draft evaluation report

Deliverable 5: Finalised evaluation report, including a set of concrete, detailed, and specific actionable recommendations.

The consultant shall submit all data collected through the assessment in digitalised format, including possible databases, recordings, transcripts, or summaries, which remain the property of SMEX  and the partners once the research is conducted. 

REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE   

•  At least five years of experience in conducting mixed-methods evaluations.
• Profound knowledge of digital rights issues in the SWANA region and intersectionality with Gender Issues and SRHR 
• Experience and understanding of different aspects of digital rights, including Gender, and SRHR.
•  Regional experience working in Africa, Asia, and the MENA region 
• Strong analytical, reporting, and communication skills.
•  Fluent in English and Arabic