Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy Assignment: Conduct Need Assessment and Develop Two Separate Modules for CSO
network members to enhance their organizational capacity and Civil Society roles in advocacy,
accountability, and human rights, including Child Rights, Freedom of Expression & Online Safety.
And
Provide Training of Trainers (ToTs)

1. Background and Overview of the EU Speak Up Project:

A UNICEF report reveals that up to 32% of children in Bangladesh have experienced online violence, highlighting the urgent need for digital safety. Adolescents, though active online, often lack the digital literacy necessary to protect themselves, while older youth, despite being more digitally savvy, tend to underestimate certain threats. Online spaces offer marginalized groups, particularly gender-diverse youth, a rare platform to express themselves, freedoms often denied offline. However, when young people voice opinions on sensitive issues such as politics, sexual and reproductive rights, or social injustice, they frequently encounter backlash and harassment.

The digital space mirrors and amplifies offline gender-based discrimination: 63.5% of women report online abuse, with younger women aged 15–25 being the most affected. These risks deter many, especially girls and gender-diverse youth, from speaking out. Disinformation further fuels fear and division, as seen in the viral spread of false reports after August 8, 2024. As online abuse increasingly leads to real-world harm, ranging from mental health crises to domestic violence—young people are calling for digital safety education, mental health support, and safe reporting systems. The need for gender-responsive and trauma-informed care has never been more critical.

“Speak Up!” is a multi-year initiative led by Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) and funded by the EU, that aims to protect and promote the freedom of expression of children and youth in Bangladesh, particularly in the digital space. The project addresses growing threats such as online sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEA), cyberbullying, digital misinformation, and harassment, with a strong focus on gender and inclusion.

At its core, the project empowers Bangladeshi civil society organizations (CSOs) to become advocates and protectors of young people’s rights online. It strengthens their technical and organizational capacities, supports policy advocacy, and fosters a rights-based public discourse led by and for children and youth—including those who are gender-diverse or marginalized due to disability, socio-economic background, or ethnicity.

The project directly targets adolescents (15–18) and youth (18–24), particularly those who are digitally active but lack the skills, resources, or safe environments to navigate the internet without fear or harm. With online abuse disproportionately affecting girls and young women, as well as LGBTQ+ youth, Speak Up! places a strong emphasis on gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and child-friendly approaches.

To download full ToR, Click this Link.

Application Deadline : 11th May 2025