RFAs: Track 2.0 Peacebuilding and Dialogue Support Grant (United States)

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) has launched the Track 2.0 Peacebuilding and Dialogue Support funding opportunity to support inclusive peacebuilding initiatives in conflict-affected regions. The programme provides up to $1,973,359 for projects that strengthen dialogue, mediation, civil society participation, and locally led peace efforts.

The funding supports rapid-response dialogue initiatives involving civil society organisations, activists, journalists, community leaders, and other conflict stakeholders. Eligible applicants can implement projects for up to 24 months that promote conflict resolution, relationship-building, peace communication, and sustainable peace processes.

Overview of the DRL Track 2.0 Peacebuilding and Dialogue Support Programme

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) under the U.S. Department of State is inviting applications for projects that advance peacebuilding and dialogue in conflict-affected areas.

The programme focuses on Track 2.0 diplomacy, which refers to informal dialogue and relationship-building efforts involving non-governmental actors who can contribute to peace processes.

The initiative aims to:

Strengthen communication between conflict-related stakeholders
Support inclusive peace processes
Build local conflict resolution capacity
Encourage civil society participation in peace efforts
Create opportunities for dialogue during emerging peacebuilding moments

Purpose of the Funding Opportunity

The DRL programme provides flexible funding to support rapid-response peacebuilding activities.

The funding is designed to help organisations:

Respond quickly to new peacebuilding opportunities
Bring together divided communities
Support dialogue among conflict stakeholders
Strengthen mediation and negotiation skills
Promote locally led solutions to conflicts

The programme prioritises approaches that are inclusive, sustainable, and driven by local actors.

Key Focus Areas of the Programme

The Track 2.0 Peacebuilding and Dialogue Support programme supports several peacebuilding activities.

Dialogue and Relationship Building

Projects may support dialogue between:

Conflict-affected communities
Civil society organisations
Activists
Journalists
Ethnic and religious groups
Community leaders
Other key stakeholders

These activities aim to improve trust, communication, and cooperation across conflict lines.

Support for Civil Society and Peace Actors

The programme strengthens the role of local organisations by supporting:

Civil society groups
Human rights organisations
Peacebuilding networks
Community-based initiatives

Support may include training, resources, partnerships, and technical assistance.

Conflict Resolution and Mediation Capacity Building

Projects may develop skills in:

Conflict analysis
Mediation
Negotiation
Dialogue facilitation
Peace process participation

These efforts help local actors contribute effectively to peace initiatives.

Rapid Response Peacebuilding Support

The funding mechanism allows organisations to respond to emerging peace opportunities.

Rapid response activities may include:

Emergency dialogue sessions
Stakeholder consultations
Peacebuilding meetings
Mediation support
Community engagement activities

Peace Communication and Messaging

Projects may support communication strategies that:

Promote peace narratives
Reduce misinformation
Encourage cooperation
Highlight successful peace efforts

Communication activities may include media engagement and public awareness campaigns.

Knowledge Exchange and Peer Learning

The programme supports:

Experience sharing among peace actors
Regional learning networks
Development of peacebuilding resources
Toolkits and guidance materials

These activities help organisations improve long-term peacebuilding practices.

Subgrants and Local Organisation Support

Applicants may provide:

Subgrants
Technical assistance
In-kind support

to strengthen local peacebuilding organisations.

The programme encourages partnerships with local groups to improve sustainability and community ownership.

Target Regions and Priority Areas

The programme focuses on conflict-affected regions of strategic importance.

Priority areas include:

Armenia and Azerbaijan
Cambodia and Thailand
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda
Other regions connected to Presidential peace initiatives, where appropriate

Applicants should demonstrate understanding of the political, cultural, and social context of their target region.

Funding Amount and Project Duration

The programme provides significant support for peacebuilding initiatives.

Key funding details include:

Maximum award amount: Up to $1,973,359
Number of awards: One project
Implementation period: Up to 24 months
Application deadline: August 13, 2026

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

U.S. nonprofit organisations
Foreign nonprofit organisations
Civil society organisations
Think tanks
Public and private educational institutions
Public international organisations
Governmental institutions

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to manage peacebuilding programmes and implement activities in conflict-affected settings.

Organisational Requirements

Applicants must have:

A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
Active registration in SAM.gov
Ability to manage grant funding
Relevant peacebuilding experience

Each organisation may submit only one proposal.

Why This Programme Matters

Conflict-affected regions often face challenges such as:

Weak communication between communities
Lack of trust among stakeholders
Limited participation in peace processes
Social divisions
Reduced capacity for conflict resolution

Track 2.0 peacebuilding approaches help address these challenges by creating spaces where non-governmental actors can build relationships and contribute to peaceful solutions.

The programme supports locally led peace efforts by strengthening the people and organisations closest to conflict situations.

Expected Project Outcomes

Successful projects should contribute to:

Improved dialogue among conflict stakeholders
Stronger collaboration across conflict lines
Increased participation of local actors in peace processes
Better mediation and conflict resolution capacity
Stronger peacebuilding networks
Sustainable local peace initiatives

How to Apply for the DRL Track 2.0 Peacebuilding Grant

Applicants should follow a structured application process.

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Organisations should confirm:

Applicant eligibility status
UEI availability
SAM.gov registration
Experience in peacebuilding or conflict resolution

Step 2: Develop a Peacebuilding Project Concept

Applicants should clearly explain:

Conflict context
Target communities
Stakeholder groups involved
Proposed dialogue activities
Expected peacebuilding outcomes

Step 3: Design Inclusive Activities

Strong proposals should include:

Local stakeholder participation
Dialogue mechanisms
Conflict-sensitive approaches
Risk management strategies

Step 4: Build Partnerships

Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with:

Local civil society organisations
Community leaders
Peace networks
Regional experts

Local partnerships strengthen sustainability and community ownership.

Step 5: Prepare Monitoring and Evaluation Plans

Applicants should include systems to measure:

Participation levels
Dialogue outcomes
Relationship-building progress
Capacity improvements
Long-term impact

Step 6: Submit Proposal Before Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

August 13, 2026

Applicants should ensure all required documents and registrations are complete before submission.

Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

Weak Understanding of Local Conflict Context

Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of political, cultural, and social dynamics in target regions.

Limited Track 2.0 Experience

Projects should show experience in informal diplomacy, dialogue facilitation, or peacebuilding.

Insufficient Local Partnerships

Strong proposals should include meaningful collaboration with local organisations.

Unclear Risk Management Plans

Applicants should explain how they will manage security, political, and operational risks.

Weak Monitoring Framework

Applications should include measurable indicators to track peacebuilding progress.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve proposals by:

Demonstrating experience in conflict resolution
Building strong local partnerships
Including inclusive dialogue approaches
Explaining rapid response capacity
Showing cultural understanding of target regions
Developing realistic monitoring systems
Highlighting sustainability plans

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the DRL Track 2.0 Peacebuilding and Dialogue Support Programme?

It is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity that supports dialogue, conflict resolution, and inclusive peacebuilding activities in conflict-affected regions.

What does Track 2.0 diplomacy mean?

Track 2.0 diplomacy involves informal dialogue between non-governmental actors such as civil society groups, experts, community leaders, and other stakeholders who support peace processes.

How much funding is available?

The programme provides up to $1,973,359 for one project.

How long can projects last?

Projects can have an implementation period of up to 24 months.

Who can apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organisations, civil society groups, think tanks, educational institutions, public international organisations, and government institutions.

Which regions are prioritised?

The programme focuses on conflict-affected strategic regions, including Armenia/Azerbaijan, Cambodia/Thailand, Democratic Republic of the Congo/Rwanda, and other relevant peace initiative regions.

What makes a strong proposal?

Strong proposals demonstrate peacebuilding experience, local partnerships, cultural understanding, risk management capacity, and effective monitoring and evaluation systems.

Conclusion

The DRL Track 2.0 Peacebuilding and Dialogue Support Grant 2026 provides critical funding for organisations working to strengthen peace processes in conflict-affected regions. By supporting dialogue, mediation, civil society participation, and locally led initiatives, the programme aims to build stronger relationships, improve conflict resolution capacity, and promote sustainable peace.