2.1 — Research foci Call for research proposals on assumptions underlying Dialogue & Dissent
Research foci
Research scope
To be of relevance for this call, research proposals must
1. relate to the theoretical propositions in the ToC document (Annex 1), and
2. the empirical research part must be demonstrably linked to projects/programmes implemented in LLMICs by CSOs supported by the framework Dialogue and Dissent of the MFA.
3. not be evaluation research.
At the same time, this does not mean that research proposals should use the same theoretical lenses as used in the ToC, nor that all the fieldwork should be limited to programmes/projects financed by the MFA. In order to get different perspectives, different theoretical lenses may be used as long as the proposal shows the added value of those lenses compared to the ones used in the ToC. For the empirical part it is obligatory to also include actors, projects and/or cases which have no connection to the programmes/projects financed within the ‘Dialogue and Dissent’ framework of the MFA. By taking such a broader view, the MFA aims at getting a more comprehensive view, for instance on the influence of donor funding (from different donors) on the political role of (different) CSOs.
Research focus
The general research focus of this call are the assumptions underlying the Theory of Change (ToC) of the policy framework Dialogue and Dissent. The Theory of Change flowchart is depicted below (Figure 1). Annex 1 contains the full ToC document which elaborates the assumptions and positions them in two competing development paradigms.
Specific research foci
Within the context of the general research focus, research projects should focus on assumptions underlying one of the three specific themes depicted below. Annex 2 provides a more elaborate description of these three themes, covering the core assumptions of the Dialogue and Dissent Theory of Change, and providing research and policy questions. Research proposals must relate to the analysis and research questions in this document, and contribute to answering the formulated policy questions. While the research questions in annex 2 provide the overall direction and should therefore be the starting point for each research proposal, applicants are invited to refine and tailor them to specific subjects and/or cases.
1. Political roles of CSOs in LLMICs
Assumptions:
− CSOs play a crucial role in changing power relations
− CSOs perform 4 types of political roles to change power relations:
○ Educational (internal & external)
○ Communicative (linking state & society)
○ Representational (voice & resistance)
○ Cooperative (subsidiarity & coordination)
− Different roles require different organisational forms (i.e. formal / informal), capacities and different forms of legitimacy
− When pressured, informed and/or persuaded by CSOs, states and companies change their policies and practices, and societal groups change their norms, values and practices to be more sustainable, equitable and inclusive
− Precondition: CSOs need to be locally rooted, strong, legitimate and autonomous to perform political roles
2. The aid chain
Assumptions:
− External aid by the Ministry and (mainly Northern) CSOs can strengthen CSOs in LLMICs in their political roles through capacity building and assistance in advocacy processes
− CSOs are actors in their own right and not merely instrumental channels for aid delivery
− Promoting civil society’s political roles needs a long-term, context-specific approach, which incorporates mutual learning, trust and local ownership
− Precondition: The design of the aid chain does not interfere with the aspects mentioned in the previous point
3. Civic space under pressure
Assumptions:
− Assumption/precondition: CSOs need civic space to perform political roles
− External aid by the Ministry and (mainly Northern) CSOs can strengthen CSOs in LLMICs in their political roles by offering protection in hostile environments and lobbying for improved political space
While projects must focus on one of the three themes mentioned, each project should explicitly reflect on the relevance of their project (findings) for the two other themes. This reflection is needed as the three themes are interrelated.
To encourage discourse on the interrelatedness of the three themes, all applicants of awarded projects will periodically meet to discuss progress and findings at workshops organised by the Knowledge Platform INCLUDE.
Figure 1: Theory of Change Dialogue & Dissent
- Regeling
- Call for research proposals on assumptions underlying Dialogue & Dissent
- Soort
- ZBO-regeling
- Geldend vanaf
- 13-07-2017
- BWB-id
- BWBR0039772
- Versie
- 2017-07-13_0