Deadline: 15 July 2020
The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified applicants for a grant to implement a program entitled “Enhancing Local Capacity for Combatting Anti-Money Laundering in Nicaragua.”
Project Goals
- The project aims to strengthen local CSOs, businesses, and relevant professions to deter money laundering, including reporting of suspicious transactions. Participants will receive training to raise their awareness of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with money laundering to reduce the opportunities available to criminal organizations to conduct illicit activities in Nicaragua.
- Proposals should address the lines of effort listed below and explicitly demonstrate how program activities would complement—and avoid duplicating—other U.S. government -supported initiatives to deter organized crime. In addition, applicants should propose topics, models, and methodologies that are practical and tailored to Nicaragua’s specific circumstances.
- Proposals should articulate how activities will contribute to the achievement of specific and tangible outcomes. In addition, a portion of the program design should be designated for rapid response activities due to the dynamic nature of work in Nicaragua.
Project Objectives
- Objective 1: Understand threats and vulnerabilities that CSOs, non-financial businesses, and relevant professions are exposed to as a result of money laundering activities and propose mitigation measures.
- Objective 2: Strengthen the abilities of actors in CSOs, non-financial businesses, and relevant professions to identify illicit activities and raise their awareness and understanding of the consequences on the Nicaraguan economy of money laundering and organized crime.
- Objective 3: Support key actors in the development of effective polices and internal controls in their organizations/businesses to prevent money laundering activities.
Funding Information
- The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $500,000.00.
- The period of performance is one year with an anticipated start date of September 2020.
Target Populations
Applicants should identify target audiences, specific demographics, and the region(s) in which the project will be implemented. It is particularly important to specify the approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted by project activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants that meet one of these organization types:
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- U.S. based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a 501(c)(3) IRS status;
- Overseas-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- U.S. based educational institutions with a 501(c)(3) IRS status; and
- Overseas based private/state educational institutions.
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- AND
- Demonstrate the ability to operate in Nicaragua through proof of: active business registration in Nicaragua or pending business registration in Nicaragua or partnership with a non-profit subrecipient organization with active business registration in Nicaragua.
- Active business registration is required to manage funds within Nicaragua (i.e. to open a bank account), therefore if the selected applicant is unable to obtain business registration in Nicaragua prior to the award start date, INL will consider allowing in-country program funds to be managed by a subrecipient with legal registration Nicaragua.
- Demonstrate experience implementing similar anti-money laundering or capacity building programs, preferably in Latin America.
- INL reserves the right to request additional background information from organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
- Able to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
- Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
- Able to mobilize the project in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate the ability to operate in Nicaragua through proof of: active business registration in Nicaragua or pending business registration in Nicaragua or partnership with a non-profit subrecipient organization with active business registration in Nicaragua.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326622