Open Call: Graphic Design and Printing Services for the “Remember Gjirokastra: Reviving Traditions, Restoring Nature!” Project
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Contracting authority: Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS)
Application closing date: 09.01.2026
Contract period: January 2026 – December 2026 (indicative period, to be confirmed upon signing the contract)
II. BACKGROUND
The Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS) is a civil society organization working to protect birds, habitats and biodiversity in Albania through research, conservation action, advocacy and public engagement.
AOS is implementing the project “Remember Gjirokastra: Reviving Traditions, Restoring Nature!” in the Gjirokastra region. The project focuses on restoring mountain pastures, supporting local pastoral communities and strengthening nature conservation in a landscape that is both a UNESCO World Heritage city and a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The landscape is characterized by open agricultural areas, traditional pastures, rocky slopes and river valleys that support a unique combination of species and habitats. Any form of visual materials should reflect the ecological significance of this area, its biodiversity, threatened species and conservation priorities. The project area hosts species of exceptional importance, some of them endemic, threatened or with restricted ranges. These species will guide several design elements provided by the selected company/studio or freelance artist from the outset. Key species include:
- Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
- Albanian Mountain Grasshopper (Peripodisma llofizii)
- Albanian Solenanthus (Solenanthus albanicus)
- Bory’s Anacamptis (Anacamptis boryi)
- Tymphi Mountain Grasshopper (Peripodisma tymphii)
- Epiros Bright Bush-cricket (Poecilimon gracilioides)
- Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca)
- Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
These species represent the biodiversity values that the project aims to highlight and protect. The selected studio should be prepared to work with scientific references, field images or illustrations related to these species when developing visual materials.
To support these objectives, AOS is launching this open call to select a professional graphic design and printing partner who will develop and maintain a strong visual identity and social media presence for the project and produce durable, low-waste printed materials and branded items for events, outreach and field activities.
III. MAIN OBJECTIVES, SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES
The selected supplier will work with AOS on an ongoing basis throughout 2026. Specific assignments will be agreed case by case, based on a content calendar and project needs.
3.1. Main objectives
- Ensure a coherent visual identity and strong social media presence for the project
- Provide graphic design for digital channels (social media posts, stories, reels, posters) and printed materials
- Deliver high quality, durable and low waste printed materials and branded items for project use
3.2. Scope of work
The scope of work includes the following tasks:
- Applying and consistently using the project’s and donor’s visual identity and branding guidelines across all digital and print materials, with a visual direction that reflects Gjirokastra’s landscapes, pastoral traditions, local communities and key species of conservation concern
- Proposing creative concepts and design layouts for awareness campaigns, public events, educational activities and field use
- Designing weekly visual materials for social media based on a content calendar agreed with AOS, including posts, stories and short video or reel graphics for platforms such as Instagram and Facebook
- Adapting designs to different formats and dimensions required for online use, presentations and other digital channels, ensuring clarity, readability and strong visibility
- Designing layouts and graphics for printed materials and branded items, including for example postcards, flags, bookmarks, stickers, T-shirts, hats, tote bags, hoodies, rain covers and other project materials
- Providing printing and production of approved materials, including branded items and field use products, ensuring color accuracy and consistency across different products and production batches and providing samples or proofs where necessary
- Proposing suitable paper, fabric and finishes and advising on quantities, formats and technical specifications that support durability, sustainability and efficient use of resources
- Coordinating production and delivery timelines to match project events and activities, in agreement with AOS
3.3. Deliverables
3.3.1. Design sets
Indicative deliverables include:
- Weekly visual materials, including posters and graphics/reels for social media highlighting ongoing project activities, key messages and relevant information for volunteers and the public
- Designed and print-ready files for the following items (number refers to design sets, not printing quantities):
- One design set for reusable fabric flags for events and public activities
- Up to 10 postcard designs featuring key species (8 species total) or characteristic landscapes of the project area, with concise messages and QR codes linking to further information
- One design set for reusable, high quality items (e.g., stainless steel water bottles), to be produced in limited quantities depending on the available budget
- Three to five design sets for T-shirts or hats featuring flagship species or designs inspired by Gjirokastra landscapes and pastoral traditions, for use by local partners, volunteers and project ambassadors
- One design set for stickers
- One design set for a tote bag
- One design set for a field hoodie
- One design set for a rain cover
All editable source files (e.g., .ai, .psd, .indd or equivalent) will be provided for each design.
3.3.2. Proposed quantities
Indicative production quantities include:
- Reusable fabric flags: 2 units, durable and suitable for repeated event use
- Postcards: 10 designs total, 50 pieces per design (500 postcards total)
- Reusable high-quality items: stainless steel water bottles, 40 pieces
- T-shirts and hats (3–5 designs): T-shirts, 120 pieces total (distributed across 3–5 designs); hats, 50 pieces total
- Stickers: 500 pieces
- Tote bags: 200 pieces, durable cotton, reusable
- AOS field hoodie: 50 pieces
- AOS rain cover: 50 pieces, branded protective covers for field use
These quantities are indicative and may be adjusted in agreement with AOS based on budget and project needs.
IV. SELECTION CRITERIA
Companies, studios or individuals submitting an offer will be selected based on:
- Quality and relevance of the proposal
- Proven professional experience in graphic design and production for print and digital communication
- A strong portfolio that demonstrates clear, bold visual work and clean compositions suitable for public visibility, educational materials and field products
- A strong technical proposal that addresses all the required information as instructed in the form
- The proposed financial offer
- Priority will be given to the company, studio or individual with experience in working with NGOs and environmental or conservation projects
V. REMUNERATION AND COSTS
Applicants are requested to submit a financial offer in USD, including:
- The total proposed cost for the assignment
- A breakdown of main cost components, for example: design services for online media, design for print, printing and production of key items
- Unit costs for typical products such as postcards, T-shirts, tote bags and other items
- Any delivery or transportation costs, if applicable
The contract will be signed with AOS and payments will be made in installments linked to agreed batches of deliverables.
VI. HOW TO APPLY
Interested companies, studios or individuals are invited to apply through the following online form: Google Form link
The form will request:
- Applicant profile and short description
- Portfolio links or uploaded portfolio
- Short technical proposal and design concept for the project
- Financial offer and breakdown in USD
- Contact details for at least one recent client as reference
Applications must be submitted by 09.01.2026.
AOS encourages applications from suppliers with diverse backgrounds and locations who share an interest in ecology, biodiversity and nature communication.
