Deadline: 12 February 2018
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is currently inviting organizations to submit Statements of Interest (SOI) for Programs Fostering Civil, Political, and Labor Rights in Cuba. DRL’s programmatic emphasis aligns with the U.S. government policy to promote human rights in Cuba.
Specifically, DRL programs in Cuba aim to strengthen the capabilities of on-island, independent civil society to further the above-mentioned rights and interests of all Cuban citizens, and to overcome the limitations imposed by the Cuban government on citizens’ civil, political, labor, and religious rights. DRL strives to ensure its projects also advance principles of non-discrimination with respect to race, religion, gender, and disability.
Activities
- Organizational assistance to Cuban civil society to improve management, strategic planning, sustainability, and collaboration of local civil society groups such as labor groups, civil and political rights groups, youth groups, and religious freedom advocates, and assistance that encourages the participation of those who may be discriminated against by society;
- Capacity building on and off the island. Off-island activities sometimes include short-term fellowships;
- Access to software that would be easily accessible in an open society, or the adaption of said software for the Cuban technological environment;
- Assistance mechanisms designed to provide independent Cuban civil society with tools, opportunities, and trainings that civil society counterparts in open societies can access;
- Incorporation of independent Cuban civil society into initiatives, fora, and coalitions led by their regional and global civil society counterparts; and
- Activities which increase access to uncensored information within the island.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $2,000,000
- Award Floor: $500,000
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations submitting SOI’s must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. or foreign-based non-profit/non-governmental organization (NGO), or a public international organization; or
- Be a private, public, or state institution of higher education; or
- Be a for-profit organization or business (noting there are restrictions on payment of fees and/or profits under grants and cooperative agreements, including those outlined in 48 CFR 30, “Cost Accounting Standards Administration”, and 48 CFR 31, “Contract Cost Principles and Procedures”); and
- Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders including private sector partner and NGOs; and
- Have demonstrable experience administering successful and preferably similar programs. DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply via given website.
For more information, please visit grants.gov.