Invitation to request for tender: The lived reality of economic inequalities in rural areas as expressed through the lens of migrant women

Scope

This project aims to capture the lived experiences of migrant women in rural communities at risk of economic inequalities. The case study area is the socio-economically disadvantaged, and culturally diverse, rural county of Longford which acts as a microcosm of broader trends in rural Ireland. Preliminary results from Census 2022 highlights the rapidly growing population of Longford with the highest inward migration rate in the country and evidence from recent research on the impacts of Covid-19 on women in rural areas suggested that towns like Longford, on the rail network from Dublin are the destinations for migrants who are being pushed out of Dublin by the housing and cost of living crisis.

The research outcomes will respond to current knowledge gaps that exist in literature and policy formulation. The project will work individually and collectively to build the capacity of women to engage and self-advocate on the issues that are impacting them and consequently advocate on behalf of their communities.

Migrant women are not a homogenous group, consequently, experiences are dependent on a range of factors which can impact positively or negatively on the social, economic, cultural and political spheres of migrant women’s lives. The project will provide practical measures to facilitate inclusion and contribute through policy recommendations to the active participation of migrant women in the workforce and the wider promotion of equality for migrant women.

As a grassroots organisation, with considerable experience in linking the local to the national in terms of policy and advocacy, LWL asserts that this collaborative initiative with co-creation of knowledge at its core is very much aligns with advancing greater economic equality. The project will present the voices of migrant women at grassroots level yet also adapts the results for use by NGOs and policymakers with the production of the Guide. The project recognises that past and present political, economic, cultural and social orders, shaped in specific spatial contexts have unequal consequences which are further compounded by gender and ethnicity. Gender segregated labour markets impact on the work that migrant women obtain (MRCI, 2008), additionally, gender pay gaps and rural environments mean that migrant women are structurally disadvantaged upon arrival to rural communities which have direct consequences for their economic and social outlook.

Tender requirements

• A statement or narrative demonstrating understanding of the research aim and goals.
• A demonstrated understanding and track record in the research area
• A demonstrated understanding and awareness of the requirements of the project
• An outline of skills, qualifications, and experience in the area.
• A work plan identifying the approaches and methodologies to be used in carrying out the research demonstrating the scope of the research.
• Demonstration of the arrangements for effective communication with designated personnel so as to ensure that the objectives of the project are being achieved, that the project does not overrun on time or cost and that any other problems that arise can be resolved

The Proposals should be emailed to tarafarrell@lwl.ie and marked “IHREC Research Tender”

To arrive no later than Friday December 2nd at 5pm

All information provided to LWL in response to this request will be treated in strictest confidence

More information here