Terms of Reference – Mid-Term Evaluation for Civil Society Programme in Albania 2023-2027

The Olof Palme International Center Civil Society Programme in Albania 2023-2027 

1. Background

The Olof Palme International Center (Palme Center) is the Swedish labour movement’s umbrella organisation for international solidarity and advocacy, working globally to promote democracy, human rights, peace, and social justice. We support progressive civil society organisations (CSOs), movements, and political parties to transform societies and improve people’s everyday lives.

The Palme Center has been active in the Western Balkans since 1995 and currently implements programmes in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,  North Macedonia, and Serbia, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

This evaluation focuses on the Civil Society Programme in Albania 2023-2027, titled ”Civil Society Programme for Participation, Accountability, and Social Change.” The programme is a continuation of previous periods and is aligned with the Swedish Government’s Result Strategy for the Western Balkans. The most recent evaluation of the work of the Palme Center in Albania is conducted in 2022. The programme 2023-2027 builds upon the recommendations provided in this  evaluation.

The programme supports local CSOs and trade unions that foster active citizen participation in political, social, and economic life based on principles of human rights and social justice. Partners implement projects using methods such as popular education, trade union engagement, advocacy, and community organising as well as facilitating dialogue between diverse stakeholders and strengthening the social dialogue.

The programme ends in December 2027 and this  mid-term evaluation will assess the programme’s effectiveness  and impact for the period 2023 to mid-2025 and provide recommendations for its continuation.

The evaluation shall focus on results regarding the programme’s two main thematic areas:

• socio-economic/ labour rights
• citizen participation in decision-making processes at local level

2. Purpose of the Mid-Term Evaluation

The primary purpose of this mid-term evaluation is to:

• Assess the effectiveness and impact of the Programme during 2023-mid 2025.
• Identify strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned thus far.
• Provide actionable recommendations for the remainder of the programme and potential upcoming programming cycles.

The outcomes of the evaluation will be used as:

• Documentation for reporting to Sida and other stakeholders.
• Input for strategic planning and enhancing programme efficiency in Albania and Western Balkans when relevant.

3. Specific Objectives of the Evaluation

The evaluation will cover the Civil Society Programme in Albania  from January 2023 to September 2025, focusing on:

• The progress made against the programme’s goals and objectives in the two thematic areas;
• Assessing the relevance, efficiency, and sustainability of the programme activities.
• The impact of partnerships established within the programme, among  local CSOs and trade unions, including the added value of collaboration with Swedish member organisations of the OPC.
• Analysis of the factors that have contributed to or hindered the programme’s success?
• Identification of outcomes, best practices, and recommendations for future adaptations.

The evaluation will be conducted in Albania, involving field visits, interviews, and data collection from programme partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders.

4. Methodology

The evaluation shall adhere to the OECD DAC Development Evaluation principles. The consultant(s) will:

• Conduct a desk study of programme documents.
• Perform field visits to interview Palme Center staff, partner organisations, rights holders, and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., Sida desk officers).
• Assess the programme’s contribution to change using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Key evaluation questions include:

• Relevance: To what extent does the programme address the needs and priorities of target groups in Albania?

• Effectiveness: To what extent has the programme achieved its objectives and results by mid-2025? What changes or improvements are recommended for the remaining implementation period?

• Impact: What evidence exists of a longer-term change process initiated by the programme?

• Sustainability: Are the programme’s benefits likely to persist after 2025?

• Efficiency: Has the programme utilized resources effectively to achieve its goals?

The Palme Center will provide relevant contact persons and documentation to support the evaluation process.

5. Timeline

The tentative timeline for the evaluation process is as follows:

• October: Tender collection, deadline: October 5, 2025.
• October 17: Contract signing and approval of the final work plan.
• October, November, December : Evaluation commencement, including desk study and field visits in Albania.
• January 11: Submission of the draft report.
• January 25 : Submission of the final report and presentation workshop with Palme Center staff and Sida.

The exact dates will be finalized in consultation with the selected consultant(s).

6. Deliverables and Reporting

The consultant(s) shall deliver:

• Inception Report: A work plan and detailed methodology, to be presented and discussed at a start-up meeting with the Palme Center (due late October 5, 2025).
• Draft Report: Submitted by January 11, allowing one weeks for Palme Center feedback on factual errors or standards.
• Final Report: Not exceeding 30 pages (excluding appendices), due by
  January, 25 including:
  • Index
  • Executive Summary
  • Background
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Methodology and Limitations
  • Observations and Analysis
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations (prioritized by perceived importance)
  • Appendices (ToR, reference list, interviewees, etc.)
• Presentation Workshop: A facilitated discussion with Palme Center staff and Sida in January 2025 to review findings and lessons learned.

7. Requirements for the Evaluator

The Palme Center seeks a consultant or team with:

1. Documented experience in evaluating international development cooperation or aid programmes.
2. Expertise in monitoring and evaluation methodologies, preferably including Outcome Mapping.
3. Strong analytical skills and capacity to synthesize data from interviews and reports.
4. Knowledge of the Albanian context.
5. Familiarity with labour market issues and trade union dynamics in  Albania

Meriting Qualifications:

• Experience with civil society programmes focused on democracy, human rights, or socio-economic rights.
• Cost-effective and affordable tender proposals.

8. Submission of Tenders

Tenders must include:

• Total fee in EUR, covering all costs (travel, accommodation, interpretation, VAT, etc.).
• Proposed methodology and work plan, including a timeline.
• Team composition, CVs, previous experience, and references.

Submissions should be sent in digital format, in English, no later than October 5, 2025, to:

• Johan Schmidt, Head of Team Europe: johan.schmidt@palmecenter.se
• Plejada Gugashi, Country Manager, Albania: plejada.gugashi@palmecenter.se

For detailed queries related to te programme and the TORs, contact Johan Schmidt or Plejada Gugashi.

Additional information is available at: https://www.palmecenter.se/eng/about-palme-center/steering-documents/. The Palme Center retains sole ownership of the evaluation results and reserves the right to reject any or all bids.