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Final Evaluation

“From Innovation to Creation” Programme

Request for Proposal

Programme Information

• Contracting authority – SPARK

SPARK empowers young, ambitious people in fragile and conflict-affected societies through higher education and entrepreneurship. Operating in over 14 offices globally, SPARK designs pathways that enable youth to study, work, and build sustainable enterprises in environments challenged by conflict, displacement, and climate crisis.

• Programme background

Funded by the European Union, the From Innovation to Creation programme aims to strengthen innovation and start-up ecosystems in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Tunisia. Implemented in partnership with IACE (Tunisia), Ruwwad (Jordan), and local partners, the programme focuses on scaling innovation, enhancing ecosystem capacity, and fostering regional collaboration.

The overall objective of this programme is to strengthen the local start-up ecosystems and its actors in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Tunisia to support innovation, employment and economic growth.

The specific objectives are:

• To provide existing and emerging innovation support organisations (tech hubs, accelerators, incubators, university hubs, etc.) with capacities and opportunities to improve their services and exploit regional and EU dimensions of innovation;
• To support and promote the competitiveness of innovative initiatives and provide them with resources to mature, scale and internationalize;
• Start-up ecosystem actors active in changing policy and legislative framework based on best regional and EU practices.

• Objective of the final programme evaluation

The Final Evaluation aims to assess the programme’s relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and impact over its four-year implementation. It will inform SPARK’s learning and accountability processes, while generating evidence of the programme’s impact on innovation ecosystems, job creation, and economic development.

The evaluation should include impact indicators to measure tangible and intangible outcomes—such as ecosystem maturity, business sustainability, policy influence, and employment generation.

Evaluation elements and questions

The table below provides the specific elements and questions to be answered through this evaluation. Furthermore, the answers to all of these questions also need to incorporate findings from an explicit analysis of the gender sensitivity and conflict sensitivity (do-no-harm principle) of the programme, as well as its contribution to youth and women’s economic inclusion and green/digital innovation ecosystems across the four programme countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Palestine).

• Methodology

The evaluation should combine qualitative and quantitative approaches and include:

1. 1. Desk research: Review project documents, logframes, monitoring data, and prior evaluations. The desk review should also include analysis of relevant national policy documents, donor strategies, and ecosystem studies to ensure contextual understanding.
   2. Key Stakeholder Interviews: Conduct interviews with SPARK staff, partners, and key stakeholders. Interviewees should include representatives from different levels (regional, national, local) and ensure gender balance where possible.

• Focus Group Discussions: Engage ISOs and start-ups to gather in-depth feedback on experiences and impact.

1. Impact Analysis: Propose and apply measurable indicators for assessing systemic, social, and economic outcomes. The impact analysis should triangulate quantitative findings with qualitative insights and include a specific focus on gender and conflict sensitivity (do-no-harm).

Travel for field data collection will be required to Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia. Data collection from Palestine can be conducted online, depending on the evolving situation in the country. On-site and online data collection can be combined in discussion with SPARK. All data collection activities must ensure ethical standards (confidentiality, informed consent, and voluntary participation).

• Deliverables:

1. Evaluation plan, having the following format

• Introduction and background
• Detailed methodology and tools (including proposed impact indicators)
• Field work and sampling plan (survey, KIIs and FGDs) 
• Risks and mitigation measures
• Detailed work plan including timeline

1. Final evaluation report

• Abbreviations 
• Background
• Executive Summary 
• Scope of Evaluation 
• Methodology and limitations
• Findings per evaluation criteria (with evidence-based impact indicators) 
• Power point presentation summarizing findings, conclusions and recommendations
• Lessons learned and Recommendations 
• Conclusions

All submitted reports and their annexes must be submitted in English. Supporting data may be in Arabic or French with English translations.

• Timeframe of the programme evaluation

The evaluation is planned to take place between Q4 2025.

The following table provides all tasks that have to be conducted for this evaluation, the responsibilities for conducting these tasks and the deadlines for these. It has to be highlighted that these deadlines are indicative, and they will be confirmed in SPARK’s approval of the evaluation plan mentioned below.

• Payment Scheme for the final programme evaluation

The payments for this evaluation will be processed through the receipt of invoices and upon submission of deliverables, according to the following scheme:

• Expertise required for the final programme evaluation

The consultant(s) who will conduct this assignment should be an (a team of) experienced and independent consultant(s), freelance or from a consultancy organisation, with at least the following expertise:

• At least 7 years of experience in evaluation of development or entrepreneurship programmes.
• Proven experience in impact measurement, start-up ecosystems, and policy advocacy.
• Experience within the international development or humanitarian aid sector
• Experience with the startup ecosystem, capacity building and advocacy will be considered an advantage
• Strong analytical, reporting, and intercultural communication skills.
• Prior experience in the MENA region preferred.
• Fluency in English required, Arabic or French an advantage

• Schedule & Deadline for Submission

The deadline for submission of the offer is 5:00 p.m. (local time) on 28 Nov, 2025. Late offers will not be accepted.

• Selection Criteria: 

SPARK is committed to conducting a fair and transparent proposal process and ensuring that all bders are treated and evaluated equally throughout the proposal process. Bidder responses will be weighted into four categories: Essential Criteria, Capability Criteria, and Commercial Criteria.

1. Essential Criteria

• Possess legitimate business premises. 
• Registered for trading and tax.
• Not a banned party or on any government blacklists.

2. Capability Criteria (60%) (Any technical proposal scoring less than 3 out of 5 points will 

be automatically disqualified from the competition.)

• Technical Proposal (30%)
• Knowledge of the startup ecosystem (5%)
• Previous experience in programme evaluations (15%)
• Service time-lead (10%)

3. Commercial Criteria (40%)

• Financial proposal (40%)

10. Evaluation and Scoring Methodology

SPARK is committed to a fair, transparent, and competitive selection process, ensuring all bidders are evaluated equally. The evaluation will follow four stages:

1. Eligibility (Pass/Fail): Verification of legal registration, tax compliance, and absence from debarment or blacklist.
2. Technical Evaluation (60%): Assessment of understanding of the ToR, methodology, prior evaluation experience, start-up ecosystem knowledge, and team capacity.
3. Financial Evaluation (40%): Assessment of cost-effectiveness, budget justification, and overall value for money.
4. Interview / Presentation (100% for final selection): Shortlisted candidates will present their methodology and approach; the final award decision will be based on this performance.

This process ensures objectivity, accountability, and the selection of the most qualified bidder.

Note: The final award decision will be based primarily on the interview evaluation for shortlisted candidates.

10.1 Eligibility / Administrative Compliance (Pass/Fail)

Mandatory: Failing any of the above disqualifies the applicant.

10.2 Technical / Capability Evaluation (Weighted 60%)

Minimum weighted score to pass: 3.0 / 5

Weighted contribution to overall evaluation: 60%

10.3. Financial / Commercial Evaluation (Weighted 40%)

Weighted contribution to overall evaluation: 40%

10.4 Interview / Presentation Evaluation (For Shortlisted Candidates)

After technical and financial scoring, shortlisted candidates will be invited for a 30–60 min interview or presentation. The interview will assess:

1. Understanding of the ToR and evaluation objectives
2. Feasibility and clarity of proposed methodology
3. Ability to respond to challenges and adapt approaches
4. Communication skills and confidence
5. Team composition and capacity (if applicable)

Interview Scoring Table (Weighted 100% for final selection)

Final Decision: Candidate with the highest weighted interview score will be selected. Technical and financial scores are used to shortlist candidates but the final award is based on interview performance.

Scoring Scale (1–5)

Process Summary

1. Eligibility Check: Only eligible candidates proceed.
2. Technical & Financial Scoring: Used to shortlist candidates for interviews (weighted 60% technical / 40% financial).
3. Interview/Presentation Evaluation: Final award decision based entirely on interview weighted score (100%).
4. Award Decision: Candidate with highest interview score is selected.

• Application for the final Programme Evaluation

The deadline for submission of applications is 28th Nov. 

All applications should include the following: 

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page), confirming the candidate(s) availability during the duration of this evaluation, as mentioned above; 
• CVs of all evaluation team members, including three references with contact details;
• Three letters of recommendation from past clients in similar projects;
• Technical proposal, which should clarify explicitly the following: 

• Candidate(s) understanding of the evaluation’s ToR 
• Preliminary methodology/work plan 
• Financial Proposal in EUR, which should include consultancy fees that include VAT and any other applicable fees and taxes and international and in-country travel and accommodation costs, with a breakdown of days*fees per deliverable;
• The company registration certificate or business license;
• Tax clearance letter.

Interested consultants or firms should submit their applications to  grants@spark-online.org 

Further information may be requested, and questions may also be discussed with SPARK by sending an email to  grants@spark-online.org

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we cannot respond to every applicant individually. There may be a delay between the application deadline and the moment we contact selected applicants. 

If you have not received a reply, we regret to inform you that we have continued with other applicants.