Deadline: 5 June 2020
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) has announced an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects to support the eradication of descent-based slavery in West Africa and assist with the full integration of victims into society.
The open and legal institution of slavery that existed in some West African societies for many centuries has largely been legally abolished, but the practice continues in various forms. Proposed projects should focus on efforts to eradicate descent-based slavery as well as efforts to address the economic, legal, and social exclusion faced by those impacted by slavery in no more than two West African countries. Programs should include systematic documentation of identified cases of slavery and the follow-up and monitoring actions taken for each case.
DRL intends to support one program with this funding. Countries may include, but are not limited to, Mauritania, Niger, and Mali. Applicants must demonstrate substantial understanding of the issues, context, and stakeholders involved in patterns of descent-based slavery ongoing in West Africa and display knowledge of ongoing United States Government-supported and other programs that target or intersect with the issue in the proposed country(s). Applicants should explain how the proposed project will learn from and build upon existing efforts. Preference will be given to applicants who include partnerships with and/or sub-grants to local civil society organizations or who form a consortium with other implementers.
Activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Providing legal assistance and accompaniment to victims and/or civil society organizations focused on anti-slavery causes to file and track the progress of civil and/or criminal court cases, including strategic litigation, and improving the capacity of legal and judicial professionals to hold slaveholders to account;
- Engaging with key stakeholders to increase non-discriminatory access to educational, socioeconomic, and other services in order to assist slaves to establish an independent form of income;
- Assisting slaves, former slaves, and slave descendants to exercise their rights under existing laws, including the right to obtain formal identity documents;
- Supporting civil society organizations working to combat slavery to strengthen their collaboration with each other, support the integration of slaves, former slaves, and slave descendants into civil society organizations working to combat slavery, and advocate for a transparent and fair process for CSO authorization and registration; raising consciousness throughout all segments of society about the systemic exclusion, exploitation, and marginalization faced by victims;
- and/or strengthening advocacy efforts to increase respect for human rights, including labor rights, in the region and for changes in law, policy and implementation to promote the rights of slaves, former slaves, and slave descendants.
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: $900,000
- Funding Ceiling: $900,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
Duration
Period of Performance: 28-40 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=326465