Deadline: 9-Jun-21
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is pleased to announce an open competition for eligible organizations to submit applications to carry out a project that enables civil society activists and artists to bring their key messages to life using a variety of artistic mediums.
Based on funding availability, this project will support art-focused organizations or non-governmental organizations who partner with artists to articulate key messages related to peace and reconciliation, tolerance and peace, and respect for the rights for all, through visual art, music, drama, and film to bring about positive changes in society.
Project Goal
- The goal of this project is to promote tolerance, coexistence, and national pride through community arts programming.
- The project will allow artists and activists to craft messages in works of art that positively influence Afghans’ opinions about peace and equality.
- This program should build the capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and youth ages 15-25 to use community arts programming as a vehicle for social change.
Project Objectives
The objectives of this project are to:
- Expand the reach and impact of key civil society messages including peace and reconciliation, tolerance and unity, and respect for the rights of women and all citizens, including in areas with low literacy rates.
- Empower activists, women and/or youth to effectively articulate their messages through art.
- Foster an environment that promotes arts as an accepted form of community expression.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $500,000
- Award Ceiling: $500,000
- Award Floor: $300,000
Project Audience(s)
- Rural and urban communities particularly in areas with lower levels of media penetration and higher levels of illiteracy – tribal and community leaders; local and provincial officials, and youth.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Applicants
- Eligibility is open to non-profit organizations.
- Organizations may sub-award/contract with other entities, but only one non-profit entity may be the prime recipient of the award.
- For-profit entities are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award under this NOFO.
- When subawarding/contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
- Applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal (proof of 501(c)(3) status for U.S. entities, the Afghan NGO licensefor Afghan entities, equivalent document for non-Afghan and non-U.S. entities).
- Applications that do not include this proof of non-profit status will not be reviewed or considered for an award.
- Individuals are not eligible for an award under this NOFO.
- Other Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must have a valid Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet.
- Applicants must have a NATO CAGE/NCAGE.
- Applicants must have and maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration with current information at all times during which they have an active federal award or an application under consideration by a federal awarding agency. Note that SAM registration must be renewed annually.
- The U.S. Department of State may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements.
- The Department may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use this determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
- Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in SAM is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”
- Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award.
- All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.
- There is no limit on the number of applications an entity may submit for this NOFO.
- Previous federal award recipients that are not/were not in compliance with the terms of the award, including the financial and program reporting requirements are not eligible for an award under this NOFO. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure it is in compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, and Office of Management and Budget guidance and requirements.
- Applicants are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists or their supporters is a condition of award.
- Applicants may be asked to submit information required by DS Form 4184 Risk Analysis Information about their organization and its principal personnel.
- Vetting information is also required for all sub-award and contractor performance on assistance awards identified by the Department as presenting a risk of terrorist financing.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332758