TERMS OF REFERENCE
Endline Indicator Measurement Study
and
Final Evaluation
SAMAHITA Project:
Collective Inclusive Action by Civil Society Organizations in Odisha
Commissioned by
Handicap International (HI) - India Programme
Request for Quotation (RFQ): 30 October 2026
Proposal submission deadline: 10 November 2026
Assignment period: 1 December 2026 – 15 March 2027
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1 About Handicap International
Handicap International (HI), is an independent international humanitarian and development organization working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable populations in situations of poverty, exclusion, conflict and disaster. HI is committed to promoting inclusion, equal opportunities, protection of rights and improved access to services through disabilityinclusive and rights-based development approaches. Operating in more than 60 countries, HI partners with governments, civil society organizations, communities and development actors to advance inclusive and sustainable development.
1.2 About Handicap International in India /South Asia region
HI India is the liaison office of Handicap International, operating since 1988 by providing technical support to a community-based rehabilitation centre- southern India, responding to the Gujarat earthquake in 2001. Since then, HI works together with local partners supports different actions towards a barrier free and rights-based society for people with disabilities and other vulnerable people in more than 10 states of India. HI India interventions mainly focus on Health and Rehabilitation, Disaster Preparedness, Social and Economic Inclusion, Road Safety, Mine Risk Reduction, Advocacy & Capacity Building and Emergency Response.
2. CONTEXT OF THE ENDLINE STUDY AND FINAL EVALUATION
Under the financial support of the European Union, HI, as the Lead Applicant, in collaboration with the Co-Applicants and implementing partners SMRC, EKTA and SADHANA, is implementing the project “Collective Inclusive Action by Civil Society Organizations in Odisha (SAMAHITA Project)” across six districts of Odisha: Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Puri and Rayagada. The project is being implemented from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026 with the overall objective of strengthening the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as effective, inclusive and accountable actors capable of representing and advancing the rights and interests of marginalized communities.
The project seeks to empower CSOs to promote gender- and disability-inclusive governance through the effective participation of marginalized groups in local development processes. Specifically, it aims to enhance the capacity and engagement of CSOs representing Scheduled Tribes, youth, women and persons with disabilities through increased knowledge, networking and evidence-based advocacy.
The project is founded on the recognition that persons with disabilities, women, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, minority communities and other marginalized populations continue to face barriers in accessing public services, social protection schemes and governance processes. At the same time, many community-based organizations and CSOs require additional institutional, technical and organizational capacities to effectively engage with government institutions, advocate for inclusive policies and support communities in claiming their rights. In response to these challenges, the project adopts an intersectional and rights-based approach, recognizing that exclusion and discrimination are often shaped by multiple and overlapping social identities, including disability, gender, caste, ethnicity and age.
The project interventions focus on strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of CSOs through organizational assessments, structured capacity development programmes, mentoring and technical support. The project has also established and strengthened Common Service Centres (CSCs) to facilitate access to information, government schemes and referral services for marginalized communities. Additional interventions include promoting community leadership, participatory planning, policy dialogue, digital inclusion, private-sector engagement, access to social protection and livelihood opportunities, networking among CSOs, and the documentation and dissemination of good practices.
Implementation is guided by the approved Description of Action (DoA) and Logical Framework (LF). The project's expected results include strengthened institutional capacities of CSOs, increased participation of marginalized communities in local governance processes, improved access to government services and entitlements, enhanced advocacy for inclusive policies, and stronger collaboration among civil society actors and other stakeholders. Disability inclusion, gender equality, intersectionality and accountability to affected populations are integrated as cross-cutting principles throughout the project.
As part of the project's Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework, a comprehensive Baseline Study was conducted at the inception stage with a sample of approximately 265 CSOs and their members to establish benchmark values for the approved Logical Framework indicators and assess the organizational capacities of participating CSOs. The findings of the baseline study have informed project implementation and provide the reference point for measuring change over the project period.
In accordance with the approved Description of Action (DoA), an independent Endline Study will be conducted at the conclusion of the project to measure the final status of approved output, outcome and impact indicators under the project results framework and assess progress achieved against baseline values. In parallel, an independent Final Evaluation will be undertaken to assess the overall performance of the project against the agreed evaluation criteria and project quality framework, and to generate lessons learned and recommendations for future programming.
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Project element
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Description
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Project title
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Collective Inclusive Action by Civil Society Organizations in Odisha (SAMAHITA Project)
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Implementation dates
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01 January 2024 – 31 December 2026 (36 months)
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Geographical coverage
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Six districts of Odisha: Gajapati, Ganjam, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Puri and Rayagada
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Lead organization
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Handicap International (HI)
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Operating / implementing partners
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Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC), EKTA and Society for Action in Disability and Health Awareness (SADHANA)
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Target groups
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People with disabilities and OPDs, marginalized tribal communities, women's groups/SHGs and fisherwomen, caregivers, youth groups, government service providers at block, district and state levels, and higher government officials.
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Overall objective
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Empower CSOs to promote gender- and disability-inclusive governance through effective and enhanced participation of marginalized groups in local developmental processes in Odisha.
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Specific objective
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Enhance the capacity and engagement of CSOs representing scheduled tribes, youth, women and persons with disabilities to promote gender- and disability-inclusive governance in six districts through increased knowledge, networking and evidence-based advocacy.
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Please refer to the approved results framework (logical framework) and the detailed project activities provided in the annex.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested consultants or consulting firms shall submit separate Technical and Financial Proposals by 10 November 2026. In case of any queries on the consultancy, a Q/A session will be organized by HI on 5th November 2026. All the possible questions need to be shared with HI by 4th November 2026 at HI procurement email: procurement-India@india.hi.org
Microsoft Teams meeting: 5th November 2026; Time 4:00 PM
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3215763211595349?p=TNqI7LVLUATS0V15eW
Meeting ID: 321 576 321 159 534 9
Passcode: Cx9wt6KN
Email address for proposal submission: procurement-India@india.hi.org
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.