Bureau of DRL: Seeking Statements of Interest for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in ASEAN

Deadline: 31 October 2016

The United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI) from organizations interested in submitting Statements of Interest (SOI) for programs for a program entitled “Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in ASEAN” with an aim to support the policy objective of increased respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of association, speech, and peaceful assembly in Southeast Asia.

DRL seeks a regional program that helps activists deepen existing networks, compare and contrast operating environments, discuss progress on human rights in the region, share strategies and tactics of influence and communication, and increase understanding of underlying factors contributing to democratic and economic transitions occurring in the region.

The regional program should support in-country and regional actors working on critical human rights issues, including but not limited to:

promoting fundamental freedoms of association, speech, and peaceful assembly;
addressing ongoing and unresolved accountability issues, including forced disappearances and extrajudicial killing;
strengthening human rights monitoring and documentation of infrastructure investments, extractive industries, special economic zone operations, and development projects;
increasing the independence and effectiveness of national human rights commissions;
advancing Internet freedom and access to information; and, promoting tolerance and community peace building.

Funding Information: SOIs that request less than $370,000 or more than $740,000 may be deemed technically ineligible.

Focus Activities

Support for constructive engagement with a variety of national and local government offices and private corporations;
Assistance with the development of issue-based and solutions-oriented platforms and campaign activities;
Strategize the use of applicable international and regional mechanisms for redress, remediation, and monitoring;
Techniques of strategic communication and non-violent strategic action, so reform messages better resonate with the government and build support from the broader society;
Support for coalition-building on issues of mutual support between civil society leaders throughout the region;
Psycho-social support mechanisms for activists promoting human rights in repressive environments.

Eligibility Criteria

Be a U.S.-based or foreign-based non-profit organization/non-governmental organization (NGO), or a public international organization; or
Be a private, public, or state institutions of higher education; or
Be a for-profit organization or business, although 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”), 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.
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.