Supporting vulnerable households and conflict affected communities to meet basic needs in the east and south of Ukraine, WHH Ukraine

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TENDER INVITATION

Project Title: Evaluation of the AA funded project: “Supporting vulnerable households and conflict affected communities to meet basic needs in the east and south of Ukraine, WHH Ukraine”

CTM-id Ref. RFT: 404455 - 25-1029-135_ AA project Eval - Evaluation of the AA funded project: “Supporting vulnerable households and conflict affected communities to meet basic needs in the east and south of Ukraine, WHH Ukraine”

On behalf of Welthungerhilfe, 13 October 2025

Introduction

The Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine (JERU) is a joint humanitarian programme by two international non-governmental organisations: Welthungerhilfe (WHH), and Concern Worldwide (CWW). It was established in 2022 to support war affected communities in Ukraine. The joint structure of JERU means that we can draw on the expertise of the two organisations, while also being more cost efficient in pooling funds and resources to support quality programming. JERU’s country office is based in Kyiv with offices in Khmelnytsyki, Poltava, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv. CWW and WHH are also members of Alliance2015, a network of European non-government organisations engaged in humanitarian and development action and have a long-term experience in many crisis-prone countries.

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V. is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Germany working in the fields of humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. Established in 1962 as the German section of the United Nations’ “Freedom from Hunger Campaign,” it was one of the first international initiatives focused on eradicating hunger. Today, Welthungerhilfe’s work remains guided by its founding vision: All people have a right to a self-determined life in dignity and justice, free from hunger and poverty.

In line with its Strategy 2025 – 2030: Zero Hunger on a healthy Planet, Welthungerhilfe promotes systemic change through evidence-based, impact-oriented approaches that are environmentally sustainable and socially just. The organization works in close partnership with local actors and communities to strengthen resilience, ensure food and nutrition security, and advance the realization of rights and agency among people affected by hunger and poverty.

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V. (WHH) Welthungerhilfe JERU 23 - Б Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Str. 01054 Kyiv, Ukraine

ConcernWW implements a huge diversity of programmes, designed to address specific causes of extreme poverty in communities across 26 countries. These programmes are guided by these six thematic focus areas: Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition, Education, Emergencies, gender equality and climate and environment.

Both Welthungerhilfe and ConcernWW are committed to program quality, accountability, and continuous learning. Comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems are embedded across the program cycle to ensure that interventions are effective, context-sensitive, and continuously improved. A central element of this approach is the Defining Impact paper, which outlines how WHH distinguishes between outcomes and impact to enhance clarity, credibility, and learning in its work. The organization fosters a culture of reflection, transparent sharing, and collaboration - ensuring that evaluations contribute to both organizational learning and broader sectoral knowledge.

JERU supports people affected by war in both rural and urban areas, working with internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities. Together with local partners, we reach even the most remote areas across Ukraine. Our presence extends to the western oblasts of Ternopilska and Khmelnytska, the eastern regions of Poltavska, Dnipropetrovska, Donetska, Sumska, and Kharkivska, as well as the southern oblasts of Zaporizka, Mykolaivska, and Khersonska.

In eastern and southern Ukraine, JERU provides multipurpose cash and in-kind assistance to meet immediate needs. We help people face the harsh winter by covering utility costs and supplying heating materials such as firewood, briquettes, and stoves. Alongside this, we offer psychosocial support for both children and adults affected by trauma, ensuring they receive the care they need.

Our programming also supports livelihoods and recovery. We provide technical, vocational, and soft skills training to improve employability, while connecting job seekers with businesses in need of workers. Small businesses receive grants that aid recovery, stimulate the local economy, and create jobs. Families whose homes have been damaged by the war are supported with repairs, helping them regain safety and dignity.

Working together for stronger communities, we partner with local charities and civil society organizations to better respond to the needs of hromadas. We empower communities to decide which local projects to prioritize and support, and we provide funding for volunteer groups that respond to emergencies and evacuate people from frontline areas. Throughout our work, we uphold core humanitarian principles and ensure that people have safe ways to report misconduct by JERU staff or partners.

For the project: “Supporting vulnerable households and conflict affected communities to meet basic needs in the east and south of Ukraine, WHH Ukraine” JERU is starting this Tendering Procedure to contract with External Consultant(s) to conduct the evaluation of the AA funded project.

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V. (WHH) Welthungerhilfe JERU 23 - Б Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Str. 01054 Kyiv, Ukraine

Tender documents must be submitted exclusively via the eTender platform: https://www.eu-supply.com/ in response to tender ref: 404455 - 25 -1029 -135_ AA project Eval - Evaluation of the AA funded project: “Supporting vulnerable households and conflict affected communities to meet basic needs in the east and south of Ukraine, WHH Ukraine”

WELTHUNGERHILFE: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROJECT EVALUATION

1. Introduction and Context

Evaluation of the AA funded project: \"Supporting vulnerable households and conflict affected communities to meet basic needs in the east and south of Ukraine, WHH Ukraine\" On behalf of: Welthungerhilfe, 03 September 2025

Country: Ukraine
Project title: Supporting vulnerable households and conflict affected communities to meet basic needs in the east and south of Ukraine, WHH Ukraine
Project holder: Begum Akdogan, HoP
Approved project budget: 23,100,000 EUR
Project period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2026

1.1 Welthungerhilfe and partner organisation(s)

The Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine (JERU) is a joint humanitarian programme by two international non-governmental organisations: Welthungerhilfe (WHH), and Concern Worldwide (CWW). It was established in 2022 to support war affected communities in Ukraine. The joint structure of JERU means that we can draw on the expertise of the two organisations, while also being more cost efficient in pooling funds and resources to support quality programming. JERU’s country office is based in Kyiv with offices in Khmelnytsyki, Poltava, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv. CWW and WHH are also members of Alliance2015, a network of European non-government organisations engaged in humanitarian and development action and have a long-term experience in many crisis-prone countries.

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V. is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Germany working in the fields of humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. Established in 1962 as the German section of the United Nations’ “Freedom from Hunger Campaign,” it was one of the first international initiatives focused on eradicating hunger. Today, Welthungerhilfe’s work remains guided by its founding vision: All people have a right to a self-determined life in dignity and justice, free from hunger and poverty.
In line with its Strategy 2025–2030: Zero Hunger on a healthy Planet, Welthungerhilfe promotes systemic change through evidence-based, impact-oriented approaches that are environmentally sustainable and socially just. The organization works in close partnership with local actors and communities to strengthen resilience, ensure food and nutrition security, and advance the realization of rights and agency among people affected by hunger and poverty.
ConcernWW implements a huge diversity of programmes, designed to address specific causes of extreme poverty in communities across 26 countries. These programmes are guided by these six thematic focus areas: Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition, Education , Emergencies, gender equality and climate and enviroment
Both Welthungerhilfe and ConcerWW are committed to program quality, accountability, and continuous learning. Comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems are embedded across the program cycle to ensure that interventions are effective, context-sensitive, and continuously improved. A central element of this approach is the Defining Impact paper, which outlines how WHH distinguishes between outcomes and impact to enhance clarity, credibility, and learning in its work. The organization fosters a culture of reflection, transparent sharing, and collaboration - ensuring that evaluations contribute to both organizational learning and broader sectoral knowledge.
JERU supports people affected by war in both rural and urban areas, working with internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities. Together with local partners, we reach even the most remote areas across Ukraine. Our presence extends to the western oblasts of Ternopilska and Khmelnytska, the eastern regions of Poltavska, Dnipropetrovska, Donetska, Sumska, and Kharkivska, as well as the southern oblasts of Zaporizka, Mykolaivska, and Khersonska

In eastern and southern Ukraine, JERU provides multipurpose cash and in-kind assistance to meet immediate needs. We help people face the harsh winter by covering utility costs and supplying heating materials such as firewood, briquettes, and stoves. Alongside this, we offer psychosocial support for both children and adults affected by trauma, ensuring they receive the care they need.

Our programming also supports livelihoods and recovery. We provide technical, vocational, and soft skills training to improve employability, while connecting job seekers with businesses in need of workers. Small businesses receive grants that aid recovery, stimulate the local economy, and create jobs. Families whose homes have been damaged by the war are supported with repairs, helping them regain safety and dignity.

Working together for stronger communities, we partner with local charities and civil society organizations to better respond to the needs of hromadas. We empower communities to decide which local projects to prioritize and support, and we provide funding for volunteer groups that respond to emergencies and evacuate people from frontline areas. Throughout our work, we uphold core humanitarian principles and ensure that people have safe ways to report misconduct by JERU staff

1.2 The Project and its context

This project, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) and implemented by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and Concern Worldwide (CWW) under the Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine (JERU), aims to address urgent basic needs and strengthen community-based humanitarian response in five high-risk oblasts in eastern and southern Ukraine: Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kherson, with flexibility to respond in Donetsk and other locations as needed. The project is implemented from July 2024 to June 2026 (24 months) and builds on previous AA-funded interventions while integrating lessons learned and coordination with ongoing WHH and BMZ-funded activities. It is delivered in partnership with six local NGOs.

Project Objectives and Scope:
The overarching objective is to support war-affected populations to meet their emergency basic needs through cash and in-kind assistance, strengthen access to psychosocial support and protection services, and reinforce the response capacity of local partners and community-based structures. The project is structured around three main outcomes:

Outcome 1: Basic needs of vulnerable households are met through Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), in-kind support (food, hygiene), shelter repairs and winter assistance (cash and solid fuel)

Outcome 2: Community Response Mechanisms of conflict-affected populations are strengthened to provide meaningful access to PSS services and efficient response to community identified needs (through Group Cash Transfers).

Outcome 3: Provision of capacity building of local partners to ensure high quality sustainable humanitarian response and ensure needs of communities are prioritized
A detailed logframe outlining the expected outputs, indicators, and assumptions has been developed and is annexed to this ToR.

Target Population:
The project targets 142,520 unique individuals, including IDPs (56%), host communities (40%), and returnees (4%). Priority is given to populations in frontline, recently de-occupied, and underserved rural areas, as well as to groups with heightened vulnerability: households headed by women, people with disabilities, older individuals, and those with no or limited income. Inclusion and protection mainstreaming are embedded across all sectors, with a focus on accessibility, dignity, and community participation.

Implementation modalities:
The project uses a flexible mix of delivery modalities: cash assistance (Rapid MultiPurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), MPCA, Winterization cash), in-kind distribution (Ready To Eat food kits, hygiene, solid fuel), group cash transfers (group-based grants to community initiatives), Psychosocial Support (PSS) sessions, awareness raising sessions and referrals, based on local market functionality, population preferences, and access conditions. Cash is delivered via RedRose’s digital platform, with robust deduplication and monitoring systems in place. In-kind distributions are reserved for hard-to-reach or newly displaced populations, especially where markets are constrained. Referral pathways and community protection desks are established through interagency protocols and service mapping. Capacity strengthening includes partner-led training, mentoring, and joint project design.

Contextual Background:
Since 2022, the humanitarian situation in eastern and southern Ukraine has remained critical, with escalating hostilities, mass displacement, and systemic disruption to essential services. As of 2024, 71% of the population in accessible Oblasts in these regions face extreme unmet basic needs. Areas near the frontlines areas (especially in Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson) are marked by persistent shelling, infrastructure collapse, and frequent displacement. The hostilities continues to exacerbate socioeconomic vulnerabilities, including income loss, livelihood and shelter loss, movement restriction, isolation and disrupted education, and widespread psychosocial distress.
Particular vulnerabilities affect women, older persons, and persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, evacuees, as well as men facing conscription risks. Access to PSS remains limited and stigmatized, especially among men and rural populations. Meanwhile, new displacement patterns in early 2024 and attacks on energy infrastructure have further strained coping capacities, especially during winter. In this context, flexibility, speed, community engagement, and partnership-based delivery are critical success factors.

Theory of Change and Logframe:

While a standalone Theory of Change (ToC) diagram is not included in the project narrative, the logframe annexed to this ToR reflects a logic model that links outcomes to clearly defined outputs, indicators, and assumptions. This structure reflects a multi-sectoral intervention logic grounded in humanitarian principles, localization, and adaptive programming.

Current project achievements:
The table below describes the achievements of the ongoing project. Where ‘n/a’ is indicated, it refers to the unavailability of results due to the implementation period not yet officially reported.

Output 1: Basic Needs

Goal: Basic needs of vulnerable households are met through the provision of Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), in-kind support, shelter repairs, and winter assistance.

Activity 1.1: Provision of multipurpose cash assistance Target: 39,000 individuals (including Rapid MPCA) Milestone 2: Planned: 11000, Achieved: 11214 Milestone 3: Planned: 12500, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 7000, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 39000, Total Achieved: 11214

Activity 1.2: Distribution of food kits Target: 10,000 food kits (Ready-to-Eat meal kits) Milestone 2: Planned: 4250, Achieved: 2 500 Milestone 3: Planned: 3500, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 2250, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 10000, Total Achieved: 2 500

Activity 1.3: Distribution of Hygiene kits Target: 26,400 Hygiene kits (22,000 kits and 4,400 PSN) Milestone 2: Planned: 14500, Achieved: 6 636 Milestone 3: Planned: 7200, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 4700, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 26400, Total Achieved: 6636

Activity 1.4: Winterization cash for utilities Target: 4,710 households Milestone 2: Planned: 2000, Achieved: 2 966 Milestone 3: Planned: 0, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 2710, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 4710, Total Achieved: 2 966

Activity 1.5: Winterization solid Fuel (in kind) Target: 650 households Milestone 2: Planned: 650, Achieved: 650 Milestone 3: Planned: 0, Achieved: 0 Milestone 4: Planned: 0, Achieved: 0 Total Target: 650, Total Achieved: 650

Activity 1.6: Emergency shelter repairs Target: 75 shelters (cash or in-kind) Milestone 2: Planned: 0, Achieved: 0 Milestone 3: Planned: 75, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 0, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 75, Total Achieved: n/a

Output 2: Community Response Mechanisms

Goal: Community Response Mechanisms of conflict affected populations are strengthened to provide meaningful access to PSS services and efficient response to community identified needs.

Activity 2.1: Community awareness raising on key protection issues Target: 5,160 individuals Milestone 2: Planned: 1155, Achieved: 1 470 Milestone 3: Planned: 2155, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 1340, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 5160, Total Achieved: 1470

Activity 2.2: Appropriate and timely referral of vulnerable individuals Target: 1,584 vulnerable individuals Milestone 2: Planned: 344, Achieved: 564 Milestone 3: Planned: 661, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 547, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 1584, Total Achieved: 564

Activity 2.3: Provision of group and individual PSS sessions Target: 8,360 individuals Milestone 2: Planned: 1685, Achieved: 4008 Milestone 3: Planned: 3368, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 2315, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 8360, Total Achieved: 4008

Activity 2.4: Group cash transfer Target: 50 community based and volunteer groups (GCT/Emergency GCT) Milestone 2: Planned: 17, Achieved: 50 Milestone 3: Planned: 15, Achieved: n/a Milestone 4: Planned: 18, Achieved: n/a Total Target: 50, Total Achieved: 50

Output 3: Partner Capacity Building

Goal: Provision of capacity building of local partners to ensure high-quality sustainable humanitarian response and ensure needs of communities are prioritized.

Activity: Capacity strengthening workshops Target: 4 workshops for 6 partners Total Target: 4 workshops, Total Achieved: 2 workshops

2. Evaluation Purpose and Objectives

Purpose: This is a mid-term external evaluation commissioned to generate strategic learning and support accountability for a complex, multi-sectoral humanitarian project. It is timed to surface actionable insights for adjustments during the remaining six months of implementation and guide future programming.

The evaluation serves a dual purpose:

The evaluation is not intended to inform donor decision-making about future funding for this specific action but will inform internal planning and partner engagement strategies.

Objectives:

3. Scope of the Evaluation

Type of Evaluation: Mid-term external evaluation of a multi-sectoral humanitarian project funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) and implemented by WHH and CWW under JERU.

Project Scope (Focus): The evaluation will cover the full scope of the project, but only focusing on two of the three outcomes and specific activities within them:

Outcome 1: Basic needs are met through provision of Multipurpose Cash, in Kind Support and winter assistance. Only Rapid MPCA will be the focus of this evaluation for this outcome.

Outcome 2: Community Response Mechanisms of conflict affected populations are strengthened to provide meaningful access to PSS services and efficient response to community identified needs. Only Group Cash Transfers and Referrals will be the focus of this evaluation for this outcome.

To limit the scope of the evaluation and the primary data collection, this evaluation will not assess the other activities of this project, though evaluators may reference interactions or synergies with these actions where relevant, notably through the Referral systems and to reflect potential complementarity of activities and integration.

Temporal Scope: Covers the project period from 1 July 2024 to the point of data collection.

Geographic Scope: Main oblasts targeted: Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kherson. Coverage may be adjusted based on security and access constraints.

Participant and Stakeholder Scope: The evaluation will engage a broad set of stakeholders:

Sampling Considerations: Evaluators must propose a sampling strategy that ensures meaningful representation across delivery modalities, partner organizations, participant types, and geographic zones. The methodology should consider disaggregation by gender, age, and disability.

4. Users and Uses of the Evaluation

The evaluation is intended to serve multiple internal and external user groups. Primary users are those who are expected to act upon the evaluation findings to improve programming, coordination, or learning. Secondary users include actors who may use the findings to understand project outcomes, validate alignment with strategic priorities, or inform broader sectoral reflection. Both the findings and the process of conducting the evaluation are intended to contribute to strengthened evidence-based practice, localization, and adaptive learning.
A summary of the evaluation findings will be shared with communities in appropriate formats, through JERU and its implementing partners, to close the feedback loop and support transparency.