Deadline: 9 June 2020
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support the DRL policy goal that civil society organizations in Yemen document human rights abuses by all sides.
The State Department’s goal is to support a durable political solution to the conflict in Yemen, and DRL’s objective is to promote long-term peace and coexistence by supporting justice and accountability efforts in Yemen.
Programming focused on justice must support practical steps to ensure accountability for crimes committed by any and all parties involved in the conflict who are in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law in Yemen in order to further justice for victims and prevent future crimes from being committed.
Partnership with local organizations is strongly encouraged. Programming may include, but is not limited to:
- Documentation of human rights violations during the conflict, including, identifying the perpetrators where possible, oral history, archiving, evidence collection, analysis, and documentation; training for local partners on human rights documentation methodologies and tools; strategies to engage women and marginalized groups in documentation and emerging and future transitional justice processes, both formal and informal; and fostering greater coordination and information sharing among civil society organizations in Yemen, including the development of networks for information sharing.
Programs must operate using a holistic, victim-centered, locally-owned approach. Proposals that utilize technology in creative ways where possible to shape innovative program strategies are encouraged. Proposals that outline how documentation of human rights violations within the program design may be used in longer-term justice and accountability efforts, e.g., to address issues related to long-term impacts of the conflict on Yemeni civilians, the environment, or social cohesion, will be viewed favorably.
Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:
- Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
- Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
- Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
- Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
- Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
- Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.
Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
- The provision of humanitarian assistance;
- English language instruction;
- Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
- Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
- External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
- Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
- Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
- Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
- Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.
Funding Information
- Funding Floor: $750,000
- Funding Ceiling: $2,000,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-2
- Period of Performance: 12 – 24 months
- Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 5 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.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326456