Deadline: 17 January 2017
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 that support local civil society in Ukraine.
DRL’s goal is to enhance the accountability and responsiveness of the Ukrainian government at the local level through civil society advocacy, monitoring, and civic activism. DRL seeks proposals that will:
- empower local civil society organizations to perform a watchdog function and advocate for democratic governance through activism and networking; and
- raise awareness among and build the capacity of citizens to use existing local mechanisms and institutions for holding government more accountable.
Funding Information
- DRL anticipates having approximately $800,000 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 the solicitation.
- Applications should not request less than $400,000 and no more than $800,000.
- Applicants should include an anticipated start date between March 2017 – June 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18-36 months.
Program Priorities
- The program should increase local-level civic activism and build a network of civic activists throughout Ukraine.
- The program should focus specifically on government oversight and financial transparency at the local level and include small grants for local watchdog advocacy efforts in the regions.
Program Activities
Program activities may include:
- Advocacy training for local civil society activists to increase their knowledge and skills related to existing advocacy tools and mechanisms;
- Training for local activists on key areas of local government oversight;
- Mentoring for civil society groups undertaking local advocacy campaigns;
- Building a network of civil society activists;
- Providing learning opportunities between national advocacy campaigns and local activists; and
- Encouraging partnerships between civil society and local media to communicate important information about local reforms to the public.
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.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can download the application packages via given website.
For more information, please visit Supporting Local Civil Society.