Deadline: 21 December 2016
The United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is seeking applications from organizations for projects that support policy objective to promote international religious freedom.
Objectives
- In Mexico ($300,000 available), DRL’s objective is to encourage protection of vulnerable populations in Mexico experiencing religiously-motivated abuses or discrimination.
- Key contributing factors include societal intolerance; a lack of capacity and understanding by federal, local, and community representatives of existing laws protecting religious freedom; as well as a lack of enforcement of these laws.
- Program approaches could include, but are not limited to engaging with government officials, legal professionals, and/or community and religious leaders to train them on the laws protecting religious freedom and the importance of addressing religious freedom violations; promoting religious tolerance, mediation, reconciliation, and dialogue within the inter-faith community to counteract tensions; training local NGOs and community groups on legal strategy and human rights advocacy to document violations and raise awareness; and assisting displaced individuals and their legal representatives.
- In Nigeria ($500,000 available), DRL’s objective is to address inter-communal tensions and related religious freedom abuses by both governmental actors and violent extremist groups in Northern Nigeria.
- Program approaches could include but are not limited to: documentation of religious freedom violations and assistance for victims to file a complaint, and seek resolution, with appropriate judicial bodies or with the Human Rights Commission; addressing societal pressures against or by any religious groups; promoting religious tolerance; encouraging intra-faith and interfaith dialogue to counteract tensions within or among religious groups; providing opportunities for individuals from different faith backgrounds to work collaboratively toward securing the rights of all citizens; or addressing religious freedom from a rule of law, good governance, and/or related framework.
- In NEA Regional ($700,000 available), DRL seeks to strengthen education and constructive public discourse on religious tolerance, mutual respect, inclusive citizenship, and non-discrimination of religious minorities in the Persian Gulf region, especially areas with a recent history of communal or interreligious tensions or violence, particularly with a focus on youth.
- Such activities would promote more inclusive conceptions of citizenship and nationality for religious minorities through strengthening (formal and/or informal) civic education, as well as more inclusive and elastic conceptions of religious identity or group membership.
- Projects should promote civic education focused on themes of tolerance and interfaith harmony through formal or informal education activities.
- Projects should seek to specifically address use of intolerance and exclusive language in curriculum targeting children and youth.
- Program approaches could include, but are not limited to: developing teaching materials, including but not limited to textbooks or supplemental curriculum guides either in print, video or other creative mediums; or developing civic education materials in print or other creative mediums targeted toward youth and children as well as teacher training.
- Programs should include a component that addresses combating intolerance among youth not enrolled in traditional educational settings, where there is a need to foster inclusive conceptions of citizenship and nationality and religious or cultural identity or membership.
- Program approaches could include: building the capacity of local organizations to promote equal rights and citizenship for members of religious groups experiencing harassment or discrimination by either government or societal actors.
Funding Information
- DRL anticipates having approximately $1,500,000 available to support approximately three successful applications submitted in response to this NOFO, subject to the availability of funding.
- DRL will support one award for Mexico, one award for Nigeria, and one award for the NEA Regional project.
- Applicants can apply for one or all three awards listed above but may not submit multiple applications for a single award.
- Applications should not request less than $300,000 and no more than $700,000.
- Applicants should include an anticipated start date between June 2017 – September 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18-36 months..
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 apply via given website.
For more information, please visit grants.gov.