AdTrade Program to expand Women’s and Girls’ Access to STEAM (Moldova)

Education is playing a critical role in fostering lasting change, reducing the gap between the educational outcomes and labour market demand. In partnership with educational institutions from the left bank, the project will expand the STEAM education programs to at least 3 schools on the left bank, equipping young individuals with essential STEAM skills (including Romanian language schools from the left bank/security zone). Additionally, the project will equip classes in these schools, promoting innovation and nurturing the potential of the next generation business women and men.

Based on this call of proposals, at least three pilot initiatives on the left bank of the Nistru river will be selected. The call accepts applications from a consortium of civil society organisations (CSOs) and: academia, schools or private sector from the left bank, in partnership with CSOs, academia, schools or private sector from the right riverbank. Cross-river transfer of knowledge and skills is strongly encouraged.

Scope

• The project ideas may focus on:
  • creating suitable STEAM learning environments in selected universities, colleges, educational centers or schools through endowment with necessary equipment (i.e. IT class, equipment for laboratory, etc., also, small refurbishment works for creation of good learning conditions are accepted);
  • increasing public awareness of the importance of women and girls’ involvement in STEM education and their importance in leading the innovative economy;
  • enhancing digital literacy training for girls and women especially for those from disadvantaged and vulnerable groups: including Roma, people with disabilities, HIV, survivors of domestic violence, living in  rural areas, etc.;
  • Mobilise private sector actors to provide education and job internship opportunities for women in STEAM, arts, design, creativity, ICT-related careers, etc;
  • establishing a public-private partnership on STEAM/ to strengthen the implementation of the strategic STEAM directions and activities;
  • especially are encouraged trainings, exchange of experience activities etc. with the participation of target groups from both banks of the Nistru river;
  • other area related to promotion of women in STEAM.

Funding Information

• The selected projects will receive support of up to 30,000 USD in the form of procurement of goods and services to be implemented for a period of maximum 12 months.

Ineligible Expenses

• procurement of second-hand goods and equipment;
• expenditures for ceremonies, events, celebrations, but also for procuring or producing alcoholic beverages, tobacco items, munitions, luxury products, other goods prohibited based on UN regulations, including the ones related to gambling organization;
• cash payments;
• costs for obtaining approvals, endorsements and authorizations;
• labour remuneration, other than consultancy for STEAM promotion and project management costs supported by the civil society organization;
• any costs incurred before the signature of the financing contract (including the costs related to project development);
• costs for developing feasibility studies;
• taxes, including VAT, commission fees, etc.;
• losses due to foreign currency fluctuations;
• costs of procurements or activities that have been previously covered from other sources.

Eligibility Criteria

• Project ideas meeting the following eligibility criteria will be admitted in the contest:
  • application submitted by a civil society organization from the left bank of the Nistru in consortium with: academia, schools, or private sector from the left bank in partnership with CSOs, academia, schools or private sector from the right riverbank;
  • application foresees the allocation of at least 60% of the budget to STEAM learning infrastructure improvements in selected universities, colleges, educational centers, or schools through procurement of goods/equipment (i.e. IT class, equipment for laboratory, etc. also, small refurbishment works for creation of good learning conditions are accepted);
  • CSO can act as main applicant on maximum one application, partnering with different academia and/ or schools; but can act as co-applicant on other proposals.

Application Requirements

• Potential beneficiaries, meeting the conditions of the present call, may apply by submitting the application, which shall include:
  • application form, to be signed by the main applicant and consortium partners such as academia and/or schools or private sector;
  • project budget;
  • copy of the registration certificate of the main applicant and consortium partners.
• The Application may be filled in Romanian, Russian or English languages. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
• Under the respective Grant Program, the main applicant may submit at most two applications, involving different academia and/or schools.

For more information, visit UNDP.