Czech Gov't tender for anti-hate campaign partially cancelled - no takers
The Czech Government Agency for Social Inclusion has had to cancel part of its tender for contractors for a campaign against hate violence and racism. Interest in performing some campaign activities was shown by either just one applicant or by no one.
The announcement of the cancellation was published in the Journal of Procurement. Most of the project is being financed by the Norwegian funds, with a smaller portion funded by the Czech state.
Campaign coordinator Jaroslav Valůch said the Agency will not lose the money and will announce the competition again. "There is no risk of our losing the money. We have received enough bids for the most fundamental items in the project. We are now selecting contractors," he told the Czech News Agency.
The campaign is one part of a two-year project. It is supposed to mainly target youth between 15 and 25.
According to the original plans, the campaign is supposed to begin this fall. The Agency would like it to mainly exploit social networking sites.
The entire program is supposed to cost CZK 37 million. Four-fifths will be provided by the Norwegian Funds, while one-fifth will be paid for by the state.
Organizers do not want to reveal too much about the form of the campaign. Reportedly they don’t want to spoil the "moment of surprise" of its launch.
The campaign is supposed to include comic strips, graphic design elements and videos. Enough candidates have applied for those parts of the tender.
Valůch said the Agency is choosing between six or seven applicants for that work. When it comes to arranging for publications, following commentary about the campaign online or purchasing advertising space for it online and in the press, only one contractor has applied, and no one has applied to provide articles and research for the campaign website.
The Agency, according to Valůch, was counting a bit on contractors not being interested in some activities, which is why it divided the tender up into parts. Now it is planning to reannounce the competition in a couple of days.
If no interest is expressed in the opportunity even then, the organizers will contact contractors directly. The project against hate violence and racism has been in the works for some time.
The events of the last five years, during which anti-Romani marches have taken place throughout the Czech Republic, have shored up the intention to run the campaign, according to organizers. In addition to the campaign, the larger project includes educational activities.
The organizers intend to focus mainly on the Moravian-Silesian and Ústí Regions. They want to work with pupils and teachers, among other target audiences.
State institutions and town halls are meant be involved. The campaign is also counting on the participation of police officers.
The Agency would like to give more visibility to good examples of majority-minority coexistence through the campaign. The project is scheduled to end in April 2016.
