Request for proposals:
Consultancy services for impact assessment of the
EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC

 

The United World Colleges (UWC) seeks to engage a consultant to conduct an external impact assessment of the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC, a partnership with the European Commission that offers scholarships to Cypriot youth to participate in UWC education and engagement programmes abroad and in Cyprus. Intentionally pairing and engaging Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking Cypriot youth, the programme aims to build confidence, dialogue and cooperation between divided communities. 

 

The assessment aims to evaluate the programme’s cumulative impact and assess its contribution to intercommunal dialogue and interaction in Cyprus, underpinning the rationale for the EU’s support of this programme. The study will involve conducting interviews, collecting and analysing data, and facilitating discussions with stakeholders. 

Additional information about the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC and United World Colleges (UWC) can be found in the appendix. 

Objectives

The primary objectives of the impact assessment of the EU-UWC Scholarship Programme are:

 

• Assess the overall effectiveness of the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC programme in achieving its goals and objectives.
• Identify strengths and areas for improvement of the current programme implementation and provide actionable solutions to enhance the programme’s effectiveness. 
• Evaluate the impact and outcomes of the programme on participating youth, parents and family members, and other stakeholders in the community. 
• Produce an external impact report on the findings of the assessment, including key insights.
• Produce an internal report with recommendations to enhance and enrich the programme’s impact, as well as monitoring and evaluation tools. 
• Provide recommendations for the continued, internal monitoring and evaluation of the programme by programme staff.

 

The impact assessment should evaluate the impact of the programme on the following three levels: 

 

Individual: Does the programming and practices of UWC’s peace education model correlate with growth in positive outcomes for the Cypriot youth beneficiaries of EU-funded UWC

Programmes, including educational outcomes and competency development? What critical skills and competencies do participants gain in the EU Scholarship Programme, including critical thinking, problem-solving, dialogue, conflict transformation, and advocacy?

Interpersonal: Does UWC’s peace education programming enhance cultural competence and result in appropriate interaction with “othered” groups, as evidenced by a measurable increase in tolerance (attitude), acceptance (behaviour), and understanding of differences (knowledge)?  How has engaging with UWC education encouraged students and alumni to achieve broader social impact in line with the EU funding programme?

 

Intercommunal: Do UWC’s activities and presence on the island permeate the larger system in which it is embedded, such as with parents and extended families; civil society organisations;

schools systems and educators; educational ministries and other officiants? Are these activities bringing the two communities together and contributing to the peacemaking process? How does the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC complement and differentiate itself from other actors in the bi-communal space?

Scope of work

UWC seeks a consultant to carry out the following activities:

Conduct interviews and surveys and/or facilitate focus groups with stakeholders, including scholars and alumni, their parents/relatives, programme staff, UWC Cyprus committee members, and UWC International staff to gather perspectives, suggestions, and feedback on the EU-UWC programme. 

• Review and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and existing documentation and reports of the EU-UWC programme.
• Assess the alignment of the EU-UWC programme with the strategic objectives of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. 
• Identify and evaluate best practices and benchmarks from similar initiatives and programmes in Cyprus and/or globally.
• Develop a comprehensive report summarising the study’s findings, conclusions and recommendations. 
• Present the report and recommendations to stakeholders, including the European Commission and UWC International.

The programme team will closely collaborate with the consultant throughout the assessment, facilitating access to stakeholders and documentation. Regular progress updates from the partner will ensure transparency and alignment. The Programme Coordinator at UWC International will serve as the main point of contact. The consultant is expected to recommend tools and strategies that the EU-UWC programme can implement to strengthen its monitoring and evaluation in the future. 

Suggested timeline

The impact study is anticipated to take place over a period of approximately three months over the summer period, to benefit from the presence of scholars and alumni in Cyprus.

 

Date	Item
15 June 2025	Application deadline
20 June 2025	Selection of consultant
23 June 2025	Anticipated start of assessment
July - September 2025	Impact assessment, including desk review, interviews, data collection.
October 2025	Completion of impact assessment. Production of reports on findings and recommendations.

Experience and skills required

The ideal consultant should have expertise in:

• Assessing education and/or peacebuilding initiatives and scholarship programmes.
• Conducting qualitative and quantitative research and compiling comprehensive reports.
• Facilitating interviews, discussions, and workshops, and effectively gathering diverse perspectives.
• Evaluating alignment with objectives and crafting actionable recommendations.
• Presenting complex findings coherently in written and oral formats.
• Understanding of the Cypriot context and bi-communal and peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus. 
• Appreciating diverse cultural contexts and global perspectives.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills, proficiency in Greek and/or Turkish preferable.

 

Confidentiality and intellectual property

UWC expects the consultant to adhere to confidentiality regarding all information obtained during the review process. UWC expects all data, documents, and findings generated as part of the review to remain the property of UWC. 

Since the study will involve engagement with scholars and young alumni, the consultant agrees to act in accordance with UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding.

 

To apply

Interested applicants should submit a proposal in PDF format to programmes@cy.uwc.org with the subject “EU-UWC Impact”, no later than 15 June 2025. 

The proposal should not exceed six pages and should include:

1. Cover letter including the consultant’s suitability for the study and examples of experience relevant to this assignment.
2. A brief note on the suggested methodology. A mixed-methods approach is encouraged.
3. Timeline of the consultancy.
4. Budget, including consultancy fees and costs associated with the study.
5. Format of the final impact report.
6. Appendices:
   1. Curriculum Vitae of the consultant
   2. Contact details of three references
   3. A writing sample, for example a report the consultant has led on.

UWC may request online interviews with shortlisted applicants.

 

Please direct any questions to Lara Savenije, Programme Coordinator, EU Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC, UWC International at lara.savenije@uwcio.uwc.org.

To learn more about what we do, visit the website of UWC Cyprus at www.cy.uwc.org and UWC International at www.uwc.org. 

 

 

Appendix: The EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC

EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC

 

The EU Scholarship Programme aims to contribute to building a bridge of mutual understanding between Cypriot communities. It offers Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth the opportunity to come together through education and build their skills as future change-makers for a more peaceful and sustainable world.

 

Since 2019, the European Union has been providing Cypriot high school students with scholarships to study at a UWC school in Europe (Italy, the Netherlands, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Germany). The programme has expanded to include scholarships to participate in UWC short courses, both online and residential, in Cyprus and abroad; and bi-communal youth engagement activities in Cyprus.

 

At present, the programme has provided 82 scholarships, welcomed 500+ participants in bi-communal and international short courses and workshops, and reached over 3000+ youth, as well as an extended community of family members, educators, and other actors in the youth education field.

 

The programme is funded under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community aiming at facilitating reunification of Cyprus by encouraging economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, with particular emphasis on improving contacts between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities and with the EU.

 

United World Colleges (UWC)

 

United World Colleges (UWC) is a global movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. Comprising 18 residential schools across the world, UWC each year educates thousands of young people from very diverse communities around the world, with a deliberate focus on peace, sustainability and an entrepreneurial mindset. 

 

At UWC schools and colleges, students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a world-respected curriculum that UWC played a key role in developing. The curriculum encourages students to consider how they can actively support their community, and build initiatives that teach leadership, teamwork, creativity and self-confidence.

 

Outside formal education, UWC also offers shorter educational programmes on subjects such as leadership, equality and sustainability, giving more people access to UWC’s unique approach to transformational learning.

 

The UWC alumni network is 85,000 strong, and our alumni can be found in every corner of the world. Each graduate follows a different path, based on their interests and talents. But each carries the UWC ethos with them, making large and small changes through courageous action, personal example and selfless leadership.

 

The EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC is administered and supervised by UWC International and implemented through UWC’s local committee, UWC Cyprus. A core team of contracted staff is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the programme activities. UWC Cyprus is governed by volunteers who are UWC alumni.