Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor: Protecting and

Deadline: 16 January 2017

The US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) has announced an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a program entitled “Protecting and Supporting Marginalized Roma in Europe”.

DRL requests proposals that combat discrimination against Roma, promote the active participation of Roma in civic and political life, and mitigate anti-Roma violence in Europe.

Program Activities

Training Roma civic leaders and NGOs to effectively engage in regional advocacy and policy discussions with local and national government officials;
Supporting Roma-led civic engagement and advocacy efforts that lead to the improvement of conditions in Roma communities and to the development and implementation of community-designed policies to reduce discrimination, promote inclusion, and foster interethnic dialogue and cooperation;
Improving the ability of Roma groups and NGOs to better coordinate efforts between civil society organizations and national and regional networks

Funding Information

DRL anticipates having approximately $415,000 available to support approximately one successful application submitted in response to this NOFO, subject to the availability of funding.
Applications should not request less than $200,000 and no more than $415,000.
Applicants should include an anticipated start date between March 2017 – June 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18-36 months.

Eligibility Criteria

DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.
DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities and relevant stakeholders, including private sector partners and NGOs, and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects.
DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs headquartered in the geographic regions/countries relevant to this NOFO. Applicants may form consortia and submit a combined application. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant with the other members as sub-award partners.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities.
DRL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. DRL encourages applications from organizations working with the most at risk and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and LGBTI persons.