1. Introduction
ActionAid International in Eastern Europe works to advance social justice, youth leadership, and democratic participation, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. As part of our commitment to strengthening civil society and movement building in Ukraine, we seek to conduct a Social Movements Mapping Study to better understand the landscape of social movements, their strategies, challenges, and opportunities for engagement.
This study will provide valuable insights into progressive social movements in Ukraine that align with our values and goals, with a focus on youth-led and women-led movements, movements advocating for democracy and human rights, and those working on peace and social justice.
2. Background
Civil society in Ukraine has played a crucial role in political and social change, particularly in the aftermath of the Maidan movement, ongoing armed conflict, and the humanitarian crisis. Social movements, whether structured or informal, have been key actors in advocating for reforms, supporting displaced communities, and defending human rights.
Despite their impact, many social movements face challenges such as limited financial sustainability, restrictive legal frameworks, security risks, and dependency on international donors. Understanding these dynamics will enable us to explore how we can better support movements through capacity building, strategic guidance, funding, and alliance-building.
3. Goal and Objectives
Goal:
The ambition of this consultancy is to obtain an in-depth and contextualized understanding of social movements in Ukraine, their historical and current significance, and the conditions for civil society organizations (CSOs) to engage and support social movements effectively.
Objectives:
Identify and document at least 15 social movements currently active in Ukraine, with a focus on youth-led and women-led movements, their objectives, organizational structures, areas of focus, and constraints they face.
Analyse mobilization strategies used by these movements to build power, engage communities, and influence policy or social change.
Examine the political, legal, and social environment that enables or constrains the growth of social movements in Ukraine.
Identify opportunities and challenges for CSOs, including international NGOs, to engage with and support social movements.
Provide recommendations on how international and local CSOs can strategically support social movements in Ukraine, ensuring their sustainability and resilience.
4. Scope of Work
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive mapping and analysis of social movements in Ukraine. The work will involve:
Historical overview: Provide a brief history of key social movements in Ukraine and their influence on current activism.
Mapping and classification: Identify active movements and categorize them by focus area (e.g., democracy, anti-corruption, human rights, environmental justice, peacebuilding, LGBTQ+ rights, feminist movements, Roma rights, etc.).
Stakeholder engagement: Conduct interviews, focus groups, and discussions with movement leaders, activists, CSO representatives, and relevant stakeholders.
Context analysis: Assess the political, legal, and social conditions that impact social movements, including challenges related to funding, security, government restrictions, and international engagement.
Internal capacity assessment: Engage with our organization’s team to assess how we can enhance our engagement with social movements and provide effective support.
5. Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to produce the following:
1.Inception Report
a.Outline of methodology, research questions, timeline, and data collection approach.
b.Draft interview guides and key focus areas for discussions.
c.Approval from the commissioning organization before proceeding with data collection.
2.Draft Report (within 15 days of data collection completion)
a.Key findings and preliminary analysis for feedback and validation.
3.Final Report
a.A comprehensive analysis (max. 25 pages, excluding annexes) covering:
i.Database of at least 15 active social movements with organizational profiles.
ii.Mobilization, organizing, and campaigning strategies of movements.
iii.Political and legal landscape analysis for movement-building in Ukraine.
iv.Key challenges, opportunities, and capacity-building needs of movements.
v.Recommendations for CSOs to enhance their engagement and support.
b.Annexes: List of interviews, survey results, legal framework references, and other relevant data.
4.Presentation
a.A PowerPoint summary (max. 10 slides) to present key findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
b.Executive summary (max. 3 pages) for broader dissemination.
6. Timeline
The consultant is expected to complete the study within one and a half (1.5) months from the commencement of the contract. All deliverables should be submitted in soft and hard copy formats, with relevant documentation such as interview transcripts, photographs (where possible), and links for reference.
7. Consultant Profile & Requirements
The consultant(s) should meet the following criteria:
•Demonstrable experience in working with and researching social movements, civil society, and governance issues in Ukraine.
•Strong knowledge of Ukraine’s political and civic space, particularly in the context of war and displacement.
•Expertise in qualitative and participatory research methodologies, including interviews, focus groups, and stakeholder mapping.
•Proven ability to produce high-quality analytical reports in English, with minimal jargon and clear recommendations.
•Ability to handle sensitive information and protect the identities of individuals when necessary.
•Strong analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
8. Reporting & Coordination
The consultant will report directly to Regional Youth Programme Lead at ActionAid International in Eastern Europe. Regular check-ins and progress updates will be required throughout the consultancy.
9. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
Consultant’s qualifications and experience (40%)
Proposed methodology and approach (30%)
Cost-effectiveness and budget feasibility (20%)
Proposed timeline and work plan (10%)
How to apply
Interested consultants should submit:
•A technical proposal detailing methodology, work plan, and previous experience.
•A financial proposal with an estimated budget
•CV(s) of consultant(s) and at least two references from similar assignments.
Deadline: Please, submit all the required documents to ukraine.submissions@actionaid.org before 23.59 on 17th of April 2025. Only applications submitted in full will be reviewed.
Due to the sensitive nature of the work, ActionAid International in Eastern Europe reserves the right to headhunt potential consultants and will not publish this call openly. Confidentiality and ethical considerations will be strictly upheld throughout the study