Terms of Reference (ToR)

For the contractual services of an International and National Climate Change Experts to conduct a study

on

 “Analysis of youth´s impact on the environment and climate change in 10 target municipalities in Kosovo”

1.  Context and background

The Western Balkans, including Kosovo, is one of the regions in Europe that is most heavily affected by the impact of climate change. This trend is projected to continue, with estimates of temperature increases of 1.7 – 4.0°C and even exceeding 5.0°C by the end of the century, depending on the global effort in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Kosovo is also prone to a wide variety of natural hazards – including floods, landslides, droughts, earthquakes, and wildfires – that could pose serious damages to the economy, fiscal balance, and well-being of vulnerable populations. Many of these climate-related hazards are expected to magnify with future climate change. These climate and disaster risks can seriously affect productive sectors of the economy such as agriculture, infrastructure, energy, water resources, and communities and households.

Youth voices on climate change have never been more important and more widely publicized. Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe with 53% being under 25 years old, making the opinions and priorities of the youth especially important for the future of the country. According to a survey of the Non-Governmental Organization GAIA in 2019, 48% of young people perceive the situation concerning environmental problems in Kosovo as “alarmingly serious”, followed by another 30% who consider the situation “very serious”. Out of a list of the most important environmental problems 66% selected air pollution and 52% waste management. Surprisingly, “climate change” was seen as an important environmental issue only by 3.2% of respondents, showing an absence of public discourse and awareness about this issue. Likewise, only a small percentage of youth is actively engaged in the protection and preservation of the environment.

Therefore, young Kosovars can play an active role in protecting and improving the environment. They can change their lifestyle and how it affects the environment. They can make their homes, schools, and youth organizations more environmentally friendly by adopting environmentally friendly practices, recycling different materials as well as preserving resources such as water and electricity. Engaging youth in environmental protection not only creates a direct impact on changing youth behaviors and attitudes but possibly influences their parents, relatives and families.

However, youth in Kosovo believe they have no authority to affect positive societal change and have little experience with environmental and climate action (e.g., to influence municipal and governmental policies). They, like the majority of the population, are unaware of the negative impact their wasteful lifestyles have on other sections of the country, resulting in a lack of environmental awareness and accountability, which hinders engagement. Caritas Switzerland (CaCH), the Youth and Environmental Impact (YENI) project aims to provide youth with a climate engagement and vision, as well as complementing skills, to enable them to become active citizens and make their contribution to halting climate change (CC).

Youth as Agents for Change

The ongoing «Fridays for Future» movement, which also exists in Kosovo, has successfully proven how strong a civic movement of young people for a positive change for climate change can get. At the same time, it is necessary to work for more active participation of youth in different debates in Kosovo, joint activities with civil society organizations and authorities to mainstream environment protection agendas.

Gaps/ Opportunities:

With their actions, youth can make their schools, homes and municipalities more environmentally and climate-friendly by adopting environmentally friendly practices, recycling different materials as well as preserving resources such as water and electricity. Engaging youth in environmental protection not only creates a direct impact on changing youth behavior’s and attitudes but also creates a ripple effect of influencing their parents, relatives and the whole family. Empowering youth in public affairs and environmental protection could help improve traditionally problematic behavior’s, such as the decrease in the use of fossil oils, economizing resources and recycling.

Secondary Schools as Access Points to Inspire Climate Action and Environmental Protection

Environmental protection as a concept is included in the secondary school curriculum, through the subject “Society and Environment”. The subject strives to educate youth on building sustainable relations between humans and nature. It is not yet known to which degree and how environmental issues are already approached in schools in Kosovo, and which possibilities exist to link classroom practices suitable for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) – see approach at the end of this chapter – with already existing ones. Studies indicate that there is a large gap between recent policy rhetoric and actual practices in schools. Both, the complexity, and ambiguity of Environmental Education and ESD coupled with constraints of lack of time, space and appropriate support from educational leaders are substantial challenges for teachers to deal with. Especially in countries that lack tradition in Environmental Education, such as Kosovo, sustainability education cannot just be imposed from above.

A bottom-up approach that builds upon teachers’ experiences, perceived obstacles and needs might be more promising. Students have valuable contributions to make their school more innovative and efficient. Student Councils create a sense of co-governance of the school with various educational and engaging activities that develop the students’ knowledge. The establishment and functioning of Student Councils create opportunities for students to gain managerial, communication and organizational skills, which will be of particular interest for their future, as it enables them to become creative thinkers, problem solvers and active citizens. It enables students to take responsibility for project implementation and to demonstrate that they can manage such projects.

Moreover, the contribution given by the Student Councils to the development of school policies on different issues can have a great benefit for students and the school. A few Student Councils in Kosovar schools have established so-called Eco-Clubs (through self-initiative of the school or supported by international donors).

2.  The objective of the assignment

As the overall objective of the Youth Environmental Impact (YENI) project is:

Improved climate action and environmental protection in Kosovar municipalities through active engagement of youth.

Thus, a specific study is needed to further define and assess youth environmental and climate change influence in high schools of the 10 targeted municipalities (Han Elezi, Prizren, Malishevë, Ferizaj, Rahovec, Pejë, Viti, Podujevë, Prishtina, and Mitrovica) to step up the climate change activities. Further, to identify current levels of high school students and their Students Council possibly Eco-Clubs knowledge, understanding and participation in the environmental protection and climate change and identify potential gaps.

Hence, a team of a national climate change expert and an international climate change expert will be responsible to conduct a study titled “Analysis of the youth impact on the environment and climate change in the 10 target municipalities” for a Caritas Switzerland YENI project in Kosovo. The expert team will be responsible for the development of a baseline assessment (study) of the youth impacts on environment target municipalities. The international CC expert will be responsible to carry out the field research for eight (8) days in Kosovo and (9) days of desk study (home), in accordance with table 1 presented below.

Expert team will conduct a survey with key stakeholders in municipalities and high schools. Further, plan and execute in 10 above-mentioned municipalities (two high schools per municipality) stakeholder consultation sessions, with a focus on youth and including other stakeholders (e.g., relevant ministries, municipal environmental officials, school teachers/principals, student council, and youth society organizations).
Potential questions for the survey:

• What is the role/involvement of youth in environmental and climate change initiatives in target municipalities?
• Are youth involved in decision-making for Local Environment Action Plans and climate change in the municipality?
• What is the status of the LEAPs in target municipalities and when is its revision?
• Do you have Eco-clubs in secondary schools of target municipalities?
• How much support does the school management give to Student councils and Eco-clubs?
• Do environmental plans exist (or any other plans) in high schools?
• What are the knowledge gaps and misconceptions of Eco-clubs and Student councils on climate change and environmental protection?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Eco-clubs and Student councils and where do they see themselves and their actions?
• How many climate change/environmental activities were undertaken by the student council or Eco clubs in the last three years?
• What prevents the youth from participation in environmental decision-making at the municipal level?
• Do the municipal authorities and school management perceive young people as legitimate and valuable agents of environment protection and Climate Action?

3.   Expected Results

The finalization of the “Analysis of youth impact on the environment and climate change in 10 target municipalities in Kosovo” provides a baseline study of the youth impacts on the environment and climate change in the target municipalities.

Furthermore, the study should contain the following:

• Identification of the policy, legal and regulatory framework in force and connected to youth and environment, climate change and sustainable development;
• A mapping on Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAP) in targeted municipalities and assessment on their status;
• Identification of the deficiencies of the LEAP for youth involvement and propose actions/measures for enhancement of their participation in the process of consultation for drafting/revision of LEAP’s;
• Assess current situation and impact of youth on climate action in their high schools in target municipalities;
• Best practices how local institutions can give a voice to young people as they require by developing participatory processes in institutional decision-making regarding environmental and CC policies;
• Stakeholder analysis and preparation of SWOT analysis of existing Eco-Clubs;
• Presentation of the baseline data in target municipalities (the number of students, gender, age and other) and teachers of (biology, ecology) engaged in environment and climate change activities;
• Presentation of the best practices of the climate change activities (e.g., awareness campaigns and symposia on environmental issues and climate actions; plastic-free environment; promotion of environmental activities, youth environmental camps, etc) that Eco-clubs and Students council throughout municipalities can utilize; and
• Present key findings and recommendations on how to enhance youth participation in climate action in Kosovo municipalities.

The study shall provide concrete recommendations for further project implementation, so the project can build tangible activities on the report recommendations.

4.  Timeframe 

The scope of the assignment is 20 days for a national expert and 17 days for an international expert for the completion of the study. All services must be carried out between 01 May to 20 June 2022.

5.  Methodology

The methodological design of the study will be proposed by the consultant and must include a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods such as literature review, data collection and analysis, online/field survey; semi-structured interviews, focus groups discussions, key informant interviews and workshops.

6. Deliverables

• An inception briefing session with the representatives of CaCH in Prishtina;
• Meeting notes on meetings with stakeholders, interviews, etc.
• Submission of first draft study until (due date 10 June 2022) and deliver a workshop to present the findings from the study in Pristina;
• Submission of the final version including comments approved by YENI CaCH latest until 20 June 2022.

7. Required qualifications

International Expert

• Master’s degree in Ecology, Biology, Climate Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Law, Environmental Management (Ph.D. is an asset);
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and studies on climate change, environment and sustainable development; the area of youth development is an advantage;
• Excellent knowledge of environmental issues/climate agenda in the EU and Western Balkans, Kosovo context is an asset;
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, youth community engagement, and presentation;
• Experience in working with an international organisation and with development projects is an asset.
• Flexibility and ability to operate with a variety of stakeholders, culturally and gender-sensitive;
• A high level of computer literacy is essential (in particular word processing and presentation software); and
• Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken).

ll. National Expert

• Master’s degree in Ecology, Biology, Climate Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Law, Environmental Management (Ph.D. is an asset);
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and studies on climate change, environment and sustainable development; the area of youth development is an advantage;
• Excellent knowledge of Kosovo legislation in the field of climate change and environmental protection;
• Excellent knowledge of environmental issues/climate agenda in the EU and Kosovo context;
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, youth community engagement, and presentation;
• Experience in working with an international organisation is an asset;
• Flexibility and ability to operate with a variety of stakeholders, culturally and gender-sensitive;
• A high level of computer literacy is essential (in particular word processing and presentation software);
• Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken); and
• Excellent knowledge of at least one local language (Albanian, Serbian), knowledge of a second local language is considered an asset.

8.  Confidentiality of information

• Documents and data collected from interviews/surveys will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate the project drafting process. Interviewees will not be quoted in any of the documents without their explicit permission;
• The project documentation and other documents and findings are the intellectual property of CaCH. They will be used solely by CaCH; and
• Approval of the final report and deliverables is the basis for the payment of the agreed fees.

9.  Specifications for the Submission of Offers (Application process)

Interested candidates are requested to submit an electronic copy of their application by latest by 04 April 2022 (16:00 CET): with the subject REF: “CC youth study” to [email protected] with [email protected] in CC.

Applicants must submit:

• Professional profiles, CVs of the national and the international experts, and other portfolios indicating all experience from relevant projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidates;
• Demonstration of the experts’ suitability for the assignment and match with previous work experience, qualifications etc.
• Professional reference persons from the relevant experience;
• A short technical offer with the suggested methodology to complete the assignment; and
• Financial offer including budget broken down and individual daily fees (including travel, accommodation costs, and other).

The offer will be evaluated by using the best value for money approach (combined scoring method). The technical proposal will be evaluated with 80% weight, whereas the financial one will be evaluated with 20%.