Bureau of DRL: Supporting Projects Strengthening Civil Society

Deadline: 19 December 2016

The United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) has announced an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects strengthening civil society in Sri Lanka.

DRL seeks proposals for programs that strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to influence and monitor the role of the government at all levels in areas that support good governance and protect fundamental freedoms while emphasizing inclusivity and non-violence.

Funding Information

DRL anticipates having approximately $500,000 available to support approximately one successful application submitted in response to this NOFO, subject to the availability of funding.
Applicants can submit one application in response to this solicitation.
Applications should not request less than $300,000 and no more than $500,000.
Applicants should include an anticipated start date between March 2017 – May 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18-36 months.

Proposal Priorities

Proposals should seek to improve civil society’s ability to mobilize and lead advocacy and/or monitoring initiatives that advance their communities in the areas of good governance and human rights, including but not limited to anti-corruption and protection of individual freedoms and rights.
Project activities could include facilitation of coalition-building and coordination among similar civil society organizations and development of public-awareness and advocacy campaigns that can be implemented via multiple media and social platforms.
Competitive proposals will illustrate a thorough understanding of the political situation on the ground; provide a justification for the selected geographic areas, ensure diversity among participant groups; illustrate an understanding of the capacity of groups to influence change; build on prior efforts in this space; and be technologically innovative.
Projects should have the potential to have an immediate impact leading to long-term sustainable reforms, and should have potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources.
DRL’s preference is to not duplicate past efforts, but instead support new and creative approaches. This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.
DRL also strives to ensure its projects advance the rights and uphold the dignity of the most vulnerable or at-risk populations.

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.