The Independent Election Commission (IEC) in Jordan has declared Tuesday 22 March 2022 as the date for the local elections. The Jordanian people will cast their votes for representatives in the governorate councils, municipal councils, and the Amman City Council. Local elections bear the potential to strengthen local democratic intended to ensure that local policies reflect the needs and preferences of local communities. Effective local democracy can facilitate public participation, improve service delivery, strengthen communities, and improve development outcomes.

In this context CFI is looking for service providers to produce media maintaining a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and impartiality. This media coverage shall contribute to a participatory process where voters engage in public debate and have adequate information about parties, policies, candidates, and the election process itself to make informed choices and to safeguard the transparency of the process. The topics should especially relate to local issues and concerns with the aim of giving citizens a stronger voice.

CFI’s Qarib programme encourages Jordanian media (radio, newspapers, television and digital media) to submit offers for services that address the upcoming elections, and particularly encourages the development of initiatives in collaboration with civil society organisations and think tanks.

The services requested under this invitation aim to:

• support well-informed decision making at the ballots through the production of high-quality content of Jordanian media (TV, Radio, websites) related to local issues such as health, employment, education, citizens’ rights, gender equality.
• provide a platform for the public to communicate their concerns, opinions, and needs, to the parties/candidates, the government, and to other voters, and to interact on these issues.
• support public participation and to contribute to social cohesion by creating opportunities and channels for dialogue, for instance through public debates involving the whole spectrum of election candidates.
• enhance the participation of women and youth in the public debate by making their voices heard, and by raising and discussing their issues of interest.
• encourage media organizations and social media accounts to be innovative in addressing issues and presenting their stories.

• The service provider must be licensed in Jordan or registered elsewhere, as radio or TV stations, online or print platforms.
• The applicant must submit the complete online form which includes a brief description of the media organization, description of the proposed activities (for instance, radio/ TV program, podcast, video, or any other journalism type) and details of the targeted audience, broadcasting channels and necessary statistics regarding number of listeners/readers/followers.
• The offer should include an Activity Based Budget, see form. It should be organized around the costs related to the deliverables linked to outputs and activities of the service, such as public debates and training workshops. Costs may include fees for journalists, technicians, audio-visual producers, and field visits expenses. The offer shall not exceed a maximum of EUR 30.000 and is subject to a rigorous cost-benefit analysis.
• The implementation period can cover the period from pre- to post-elections and should not exceed a duration of 6 months.
• The offer should demonstrate that gender equality, women and youth perspectives and representation will be taken into consideration on all levels.
• The service provider may be requested to provide additional details, information, or documents.