CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – IASSW REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTRES

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS    –   IASSW REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTRES

To promote capacity building for social work education and training, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) establishes Regional Resource Centres (RRCs) in different parts of the world. RCCs offer and coordinate capacity building initiatives, services and resources to member institutions.  IASSW invites applications from qualified institutions.

Purpose of Regional Resource Centres

The RRCs are intended to develop and implement a regional strategy, in partnership with Regional Associations of Schools of Social Work and Social Work programs, in order to:

• provide high quality capacity building programmes;
• lead region-relevant research projects;
• offer learning opportunities for academic staff and students in the social work arena;
• lead and foster regional communications and exchange on social work education;
• promote the vision and mission of IASSW.

It is anticipated that the RRC status would extend the activities of centres or platforms already engaged with local partners on collaborative projects for social work education.  The RRC status is granted for a period of three years, with a total contribution of USD $4000 from the IASSW. Although the IASSW funding is limited to the three-year period, it is envisaged that RRCs will continue in their role beyond this period, perhaps exploring institutional or foundation grant support.

Since 2016, IASSW has launched three RRCs:

1. China Social Work Research Centre
2. Regional Resource Centre of Oceania
3. Nordic Baltic Regional Resource Centre

See:  https://www.iassw-aiets.org/capacity-building/

Qualifications for Establishing a Regional Resource Centre

The RRC applicant(s) must be a fully registered institutional member of IASSW, and an active, current member of the Regional Association of Schools of Social Work.  It is envisaged that the RRC will work in close collaboration with their regional association to further advance the capacity building goals of IASSW within the geographical region. Applicants have to demonstrate the following in their proposal:

1. Institutional membership of IASSW for at least three years
2. Accordance with the vision and mission of IASSW

• Support from their respective IASSW regional and/or national associations and proposed methods for collaborating with them

1. Evidence of being an accredited institution and/or recognised by the local government/ professional association, signifying their mandate to offer social work education programmes at the postgraduate level and above
2. Strong track record in offering high quality social work education and training programmes
3. Commitment to regional development and culturally appropriate practices based on a demonstrable track record of such activities

• Commitment and capacity to offering capacity building programmes to IASSW member institutions on a regular non-profit making basis (though the programmes can be fee-charging in order to cover the administrative and actual costs incurred)
• Access to venues and facilities suitable for accommodating capacity building programmes for IASSW member institutions and participants from the region.

1. Clear rationale for identifying the geographical area identified for the Centre’s capacity building activities and an outline of methods for future collaboration.
2. Detailed plan of how the budget will be spent and plans for generating further funds on the basis of being designated an IASSW Regional Resource Centre

Application and selection procedures

IASSW invites interested and qualified parties from the IASSW regions to submit applications for Regional Resource Centre Status for 2020.  Parties in Latin America and Africa are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications should be submitted by member schools of social work, or a lead school if several intend to work in partnership.  The 2020 call will give priority to regions that do not already have an RRC.

Please review the policy and guidance  document and the selection criteria  posted on the IASSW website : https://www.iassw-aiets.org/capacity-building/.  Complete the application form and send all materials addressed to Darla Spence Coffey, Chair of the IASSW Capacity building committee, to the IASSW Executive Officer at rashmi@iassw-aiets.org .  The deadline for submission of applications is February 12, 2021.

For further information please contact Darla Spence Coffey or Vimla Nadkarni through Rashmi  Pandey at rashmi@iassw-aiets.org.

Click here to download the call: IASSW- Call for RRC applications -2021