Empowering Girls to negotiate for continuing/completing school, delaying marriage, accessing appropriate services and schemes to build a future for themselves project in Odisha
Request for Proposal for post intervention assessment (PIA)
1. Background
India has one of the largest adolescent populations in the world, with adolescent girls constituting nearly one in every ten Indians. They represent a critical demographic dividend and hold immense potential to contribute to the country’s socio-economic progress. A study by the World Bank highlights that even a 1% increase in girls’ secondary education completion can lead to a 0.3% increase in annual per capita income for a nation. Therefore, investing in adolescent girls is essential for ensuring India’s sustained development and progress.
Adolescence is a formative stage marked by significant biological, physical, psychological, and behavioural changes. For over 35 years, the Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3) has worked to empower women and girls across India by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to realise their rights, transform communities, and advance gender equality. At the core of C3’s approach is the belief that gender equality is fundamental to development, democracy, and social progress.
2. Project Intervention
The project is being implemented in Nayagarh, where educational and gender-related indicators reflect significant challenges for adolescent girls. Only 27.1% of women in the district complete ten years of schooling (NFHS-5). The district’s child sex ratio stands at 855—the lowest among all districts of Odisha and among the lowest in the country (Census 2011). The prevalence of child marriage in Nayagarh is 35.7%, significantly higher than the national average of 23.3%. Nearly one in every three marriages in the district is a child marriage, making it the second-highest in the state. Furthermore, child marriage prevalence increased from 31.4% in NFHS-4 to 35.7% in NFHS-5.
In response to these challenges, C3 has implemented the project across all eight blocks of Nayagarh district, with the aim of reaching 50,000 adolescent girls.
Project Components, Key Interventions and Indicators
1. Improved School Completion and Learning Outcomes
The project aims to improve school retention, learning outcomes, and access to educational opportunities for adolescent girls.
Key Interventions
- Identification and support of girls at risk of dropping out.
- Academic enrichment through Shiksha Sansadhan Kendras, Shiksha Saathis, and Shiksha Samoohs.
- Classroom-based awareness sessions (School Khatti) on legal literacy and rights awareness.
- Support for accessing scholarships and educational entitlements.
Outcome Indicators
- Increased enrolment/re-enrolment of adolescent girls.
- Increased completion of secondary and higher secondary education.
- Improved learning outcomes.
- Increased access to scholarships and entitlements.
2. Increased Awareness, Understanding and Community Support
The project seeks to create an enabling family and community environment that supports girls' education and rights.
Key Interventions
- Engagement of Faith-Based Leaders (FBLs).
- Community and family engagement activities.
- Collaboration with women-led institutions.
- Community scholarship and livelihood support initiatives.
Please submit your detailed proposals to procurement@c3india.org by 05:00 pm on 14-06-2026 PRN/PF131.05.05/2026-27/085”
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.