The purpose of this assignment is to collect data in selected LRIP Project communities and road sections before implementation of road rehabilitation works, analyze the actual situation and expected impact of the LRIP Project on different social groups.

Project: P150357 - Local Roads Improvement Project Reference: LRIP/CS/13 - SOCIAL SURVEY STUDY Procurement method: Consultant Qualification Selection Financing: World Bank REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION) MOLDOVA Local Roads Improvement Project (LRIP) Project ID: P150357 Assignment Title: Social Survey for Local Road Improvement Project Reference No .: LRIP/CS/13 Assignment description : The Government of the Republic of Moldova has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Local Roads Improvement Project in Moldova, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The project will be implemented under the general supervision and responsibility of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIRD), who will execute the project through the State Road Administration (SRA) as the direct executing agency. The consulting services (“the Services”) include survey and analysis works for the selected LRIP Project communities and road sections before implementation of road rehabilitation works and analysis of the actual situation and expected impact of the LRIP Project on different social groups (including men, women, youth, elderly, unemployed, disabled, etc.) in selected beneficiary communities - for newly intended corridors. At the same time to interview the beneficiaries from the localities about the level of road conditions and opportunities for population in already rehabilitated corridors during 2017-2023. On a general level, the social surveys study should try: To examines how the project can contribute towards regional development and job creation in some of Moldova’s most road users’ regions, thereby helping them to converge with the rest of the country and ensuring that the sustainable benefit from inclusive growth. In this regard, the proposed activities should: i) help improve the understanding on what are the connectivity and mobility constraints that various social groups in the local population face and what types of complimentary interventions could be needed to ignite growth and improve service delivery to each of these groups; ii) identify channels through which the project’s citizen engagement strategy could incorporate the preferences of the different social groups into the project design, and iii) help SRA to take best augmented solution for road rehabilitation with biggest benefit for population and regional development. To evaluate the level of satisfaction of population in the area of implemented LRIP corridors. In this context, in July 2017, an opinion poll was conducted to establish and evaluate the initial situation and the expectations of the population. According to the Monitorization System based on indicators, which are implemented within the Project, in early 2023 another similar survey of opinions will be conducted to measure the level of satisfaction of the population regarding the implementation of the Local Road Improvement Project of the last 4 years. It must show what is the opinion of the people regarding the works carried out, the quality of the infrastructure, how the life of the localities has changed due to the rehabilitated road, the access to social institutions, but also what new opportunities are created. On all phases of the assignment, the consultant will give special attention to sub-groups, disaggregating to the extent possible, predominant trends, patterns, and issues affecting women, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed, youth, small-scale farmers, among other target population groups. The social survey and analyses shall be done in two phases: Initial situation and assessing the pre-project status A total of 40 representative/settlements located within the proposed corridors project’s area will be selected by the SRA and the Bank in close consultation with the hired firm. Survey and analysis work for the selected communities will involve data collection and analysis socio-economic conditions and living standards of the population in selected beneficiary communities to allow for the understanding of the initial situation and assessing the pre-project status . In this phase, the Consultant shall: Review the socio-economic baseline information regarding selected beneficiary communities available with the National Statistical Bureau of the Republic of Moldova, regional and local authorities, project stakeholders etc. Based on this information the Consultant will determine the sampling plan for the conduct of pre-project survey. Conduct Household Survey in localities; Prepare the Social Survey Study Report that shall present the socio-economic conditions of the population of selected beneficiary communities, their perceptions and views with respect to proposed LRIP Project activities. Satisfaction survey A total of 30 representative/settlements located within the actual corridors LRIP project’s area will be selected by the SRA and the Bank in close consultation with the hi