Deadline: 07-Nov-20
The Advancing Community Empowerment in Southeastern Myanmar (ACE) project, funded by USAID, is pleased to announce a request for applications seeking to fund activities that improve the protection of rights of vulnerable communities in southeastern Myanmar with the goal that communities are empowered to engage in local decision-making processes.
This RFA is issued as a public notice to ensure that all interested, qualified and eligible organizations have a fair opportunity to submit applications for funding. For the purposes of this RFA, “organizations” are defined as non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), or faith-based organizations (FBOs).
ACE is seeking to fund activities that improve the protection of rights of vulnerable communities in southeastern Myanmar with the goal that communities are empowered to engage in local decision-making processes.
ACE is implemented by Pact in partnership with international consortium partners Mercy Corps, Community Partners International, and Save the Children. The project also partners with a broad range of local organizations, service providers, and private companies to address community development priorities.
Objectives
ACE aims to achieve this goal through three objectives:
- Reduce community vulnerabilities;
- Strengthen community participation;
- Strengthen local governance systems.
Funding Information
- ACE anticipates providing multiple awards up to 1 year in duration and up to USD $100,000 in value.
- The total estimated amount of funding for the RFA is approximately USD $1,000,000.
Intended Impact
Intended impact of funded activities may include:
- On access to services:
- Greater support for the fulfilment of rights to health, education, livelihoods, and social protection among local leaders and ethnic communities;
- Improved access to vulnerable communities to basic identity documents and/or basic services;
- Stronger advocacy for the protection of the rights of communities affected by conflict and displacement in the southeast and improved responsiveness to their needs.
- On land rights:
- Improved protection of traditional or indigenous land rights in southeastern Myanmar through evidence-based advocacy;
- Improved access to justice for ethnic communities, including IDPs, to restore their rights to land and livelihoods.
- On inclusive development:
- Greater awareness and advocacy on the impacts of mega-development projects on local communities’ rights in southeastern Myanmar and strategies to mitigate those impacts;
- More responsive and inclusive local decision making that focuses on protecting the rights of vulnerable communities in southeastern Myanmar;
- Strengthened local governance systems in southeastern Myanmar that respect and protect the rights of communities they serve.
- On rights advocacy:
- Greater access to information and evidence-based advocacy strategies to support the protection of communities’ rights;
- Better recognition and protection of rights for freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and petition;
- Vulnerable community members are empowered and have the greater agency to advocate for their own rights with local leaders and decision-makers.
Eligibility Criteria
This competition is open to any non-profit non-governmental organization that is not established in the United States, with a preference for local Myanmar-based organizations and relevant organizations based along the Thai-Myanmar border. To be minimally eligible for funding, applicants must provide full, accurate, and complete information and comply with the following conditions. Organizations must:
- Be able to complete implementation within the stated timeframe of one year;
- Have previous experience of not less than 2 years working on the protection of human rights;
- Have current geographic coverage where program activities will take place or prior experience in that area with the ability to quickly start up implementation;
- Be currently operating or can demonstrate the ability to operate in southeast Myanmar with previous experience of working on proposed technical areas;
- Be currently engaged or demonstrate the ability to engage with targeted populations.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3nXaKiP
