Open Call: Subgrantee Nongovernmental Organization for Conservation Youth Clubs

Open Call: Subgrantee Nongovernmental Organization for Conservation Youth Clubs

I. General information

Contracting authority: Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS)
Call type: Open call for proposals (subgrant)
Application deadline: 13.03.2026
Indicative implementation period: 2026–2027 (activities run across the project period)
Location: Gjirokastra region (youth groups in Gjirokastra, Dropull and Libohova)

II. Background

The Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS) is implementing the project “Remember Gjirokastra: Reviving Traditions, Restoring Nature!” in the Gjirokastra Key Biodiversity Area. The project focuses on conserving mountain pastures and associated biodiversity while supporting traditional grazing systems, transhumance knowledge and local stewardship.

As part of the project’s community engagement work, AOS will strengthen and expand Conservation Youth Clubs, building on the existing youth club in Gjirokastra and establishing two additional clubs in Dropull and Libohova.

III. Purpose of the subgrant

AOS is launching this open call to select a local nongovernmental organization as a subgrantee responsible for organizing and managing Conservation Youth Clubs, including coordination, logistics and activity implementation.

The selected subgrantee will work closely with:

• the three Conservation Youth Clubs for the municipalities of Gjirokastra, Dropull and Libohova
• the AOS team and technical experts involved in biodiversity inventory and monitoring
• a communication specialist contracted through AOS communication professional services

IV. Scope of work

The subgrantee is expected to ensure the clubs function consistently and produce meaningful outputs.

The scope includes:

4.1. Youth club coordination and management

• Coordinate and manage youth club activities across Gjirokastra, Dropull and Libohova, including planning, scheduling and practical arrangements (permissions, transport, materials, venues, coordination with schools).
• Work with AOS and schools to maintain active membership and documentation (membership lists and activity records).

4.2. Youth participation in biodiversity field activities

Youth clubs are expected to participate in biodiversity inventory and monitoring activities as part of a learning-by-doing approach. The subgrantee will facilitate youth engagement in these activities by coordinating logistics and participation, in close coordination with AOS and experts.

This includes support for:

• participation in field surveys for the biodiversity inventory and monitoring program
• participation in follow-up biodiversity inventories later in the project period to assess impact

4.3. Outreach content development

• Collaborate with the youth clubs and a communication specialist to develop outreach messages and content themes focused on traditional grazing, transhumance and biodiversity of the region.

4.4. Social media campaign

• In collaboration with the youth clubs and the communication specialist, support delivery of a social media campaign with digital content, with posts at least 2 per month.

4.5. Community outreach events

• Together with each youth club, organize two outreach events per club (6 in total), focused on biodiversity and traditional grazing, potentially including games, short lectures, interactive activities and distribution of educational materials.

4.6. Youth participation in public outreach activities

• Organize and coordinate student participation in two public food fairs (Libohova and Dervican), in coordination with AOS and event organizers, including youth-led outreach elements (photos, short videos, short texts, simple activities or interactions with visitors).

V. Expected outputs

The subgrantee’s work contributes to the project outputs through:

• Coordination of Conservation Youth Clubs in the Gjirokastra region, including activity scheduling and documentation (activity records, participation lists and supporting evidence).
• Youth-generated outreach content collected through youth engagement (photos, short videos and short written inputs), contributing to monthly communication outputs (≥2 posts per month) and overall project outreach reach.
• Six community outreach events delivered (two per youth club), with basic event documentation (short summary, participant estimates, photos and records).

VI. Eligibility

Eligible applicants should be:

• a registered local nongovernmental organization in Albania
• able to work with youth groups and schools
• able to coordinate field and outreach logistics across the Gjirokastra region
• able to collaborate with AOS staff and contracted specialists

VII. Application package

Applicants should submit:

1. Organization profile and relevant experience (youth work, education, community outreach, conservation awareness or similar)
2. Proposed approach and activity plan 
3. Risk and safeguarding approach for working with youth 
4. Proposed budget and justification (in USD, with clear line items)
5. Key staff or focal point description 

VIII. Selection criteria

Proposals will be assessed based on:

• relevance of experience and demonstrated ability to work with youth groups
• feasibility and clarity of the proposed approach and timeline
• coordination capacity (multi-site logistics, documentation, reporting)
• cost realism 

IX. How to apply

Applications must be submitted via: Google Form link
Deadline: 13.03.2026
For questions: aos@aos-alb.org