Bureau of INL launches Drug Prevention and Awareness Programming in Myanmar

Deadline: 8 June 2020

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations or Educational Institutions for a Grant/Cooperative Agreement to implement a program entitled “Drug Prevention and Awareness Programming in Myanmar.”

The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) partners with the GOM, NGOs, international organizations, and communities to support supply and demand side counter narcotics efforts. INL tailors its demand-side engagements to be complementary to ongoing efforts to increase the GOM’s capacity to control the supply of drugs. INL’s demand reduction efforts have primarily focused on workforce professional development through training on the Universal Prevention and Universal Treatment Curricula, as well as supporting the development of community-based drug prevention strategies.

The mission of the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is to minimize the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on the United States, its citizens, and partner nations by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation. This mission, which centers on helping their partner nations establish a capable and accountable criminal justice sector, was expanded during the past decade to include stabilizing post-conflict societies through criminal justice sector development and reform. This mission supports peace and security by stabilizing and strengthening security institutions and by combating narco-trafficking and other transnational crimes such as money laundering and criminal gangs. It promotes just and democratic governments by strengthening justice sector institutions, good governance and respect for human rights.

INL combines forces with other U.S. Government (USG) and international agencies and takes a regional approach to widespread problems. INL also encourages more developed governments to take responsibility as equal partners in global efforts to combat transnational crime, including drug trafficking. The Bureau’s priority programs support three inter-related objectives:

• BUILDING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS: Institutionalize rule of law by developing and expanding criminal justice systems to strengthen partner country law enforcement and judicial effectiveness, foster cooperation in legal affairs, and advance respect for human rights;
• COUNTER-NARCOTICS: Disrupt the overseas production and trafficking of illicit drugs through targeted counter-narcotics and institution-building assistance and coordination with foreign nations and international organizations;
• TRANSNATIONAL CRIME: Minimize the impact of transnational crime and criminal networks on the United States and its allies through enhanced international cooperation and foreign assistance.

This project will improve awareness of the dangers of substance abuse among target populations and enhance community resilience to drug abuse through the development and implementation of evidence-based and community-based prevention programs that promote strategies or behaviors to delay the onset of substance abuse or reduce substance misuse, particularly in populations under 35. Project proposals should identify gaps, determine strategies to address those gaps, and if applicable, build upon existing and previous efforts in Myanmar. Proposals should focus on developing strategies and activities that address both risk and protective factors to increase the likelihood of successful interventions.

INL seeks proposals that will accomplish the following four (4) priorities:

• Strengthen community resilience through evidence-based drug prevention and awareness activities that include local government, civil society, religious and community leaders, youth, and women.
• Build, manage, and coordinate a coalition dedicated to the promotion of scientific, evidence-based information on addiction and substance abuse aimed at preventing substance use disorders among those under 35.
• Encourage the use of innovative community-based programs to educate youth populations on substance abuse and provide essential life skills to help populations under 35 overcome the effects of poverty, conflict, and other risk factors so that they can create better futures and drive social change in their communities.
• Promote awareness of evidence-based drug rehabilitation services through that include vocational and life skills training programs.

Project Objectives

• Objective 1: Community Coalition Building and Training
• Develop sustainable community coalitions of civil society organizations, parents, leaders, and local government officials committed to evidence-based drug prevention interventions in their communities.  At least one community coalition should be located in an ethnic state.
  • Activity 1:  Conduct a gap analysis to: 1) identify key stakeholders within target communities among the government and civil society; 2) assess their understanding of substance abuse and effective prevention interventions; and 3) identify existing local drug demand reduction programming to determine whether programs conform with international evidence-based standards.
  • Activity 2:  Based on the findings from activity one, conduct community trainings centered on changes to the new National Drug Law, applicable policies, substance abuse science, and evidence-based drug prevention strategies.
  • Activity 3:  Based on the findings from activity one, conduct workshops to train identified community members interested in providing ongoing drug prevention services within their communities. Workshops should map out the root causes of substance abuse in their communities, develop sustainable and action-oriented community action plans, provide community organizing skills, and connect community members with a network of other communities facing similar challenges.
  • Activity 4: Pair trainers with interested local authorities or community members to identify community, evidence-based activities that will raise awareness on drug prevention and build local ownership over drug prevention efforts.
  • Activity 5: Promote sustainability through developing self-sustainment strategies, training curricula, and guides on coalition-building and international best practices on drug prevention. Provide a forum for coalitions to meet and build connections with other community coalitions at least annually.
• Objective 2: Youth-Based Prevention Programs
• Support community coalitions in developing evidence-based youth prevention programs that delay the onset of substance use and reduce substance misuse through raising awareness and improving resiliency by promoting alternative behaviors that increase protective factors such as stress management, responsible decision-making, goal setting, etc. while reducing risk factors.
  • Activity 1: Provide technical assistance to a core group of organizers on how to design evidence-based drug prevention programs for at-risk youth. Where applicable, activities should include youth leaders to ensure programs are appropriately targeted and achieve youth buy-in.
  • Activity 2: Support the implementation of a community organized series of activities that will effectively deliver a drug prevention message and provide life skills training to promote drug abuse resiliency in youth (under 35). Support must include connecting stakeholders to government and community leaders, the implementation of a series of activities, mentorship throughout the implementation of activities, and all associated publicity.
  • Activity 3: Support community organizers in designing and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation of prevention activities.
• Objective 3: Program Evaluation and Expansion 
  • Activity 1: Assist community coalitions to conduct a study to get a baseline of drug and substance abuse prior to initiating youth-directed activities.
  • Activity 2: Review lessons learned from objectives one and two. A formal assessment should be conducted to determine best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for program expansion in Myanmar.

Funding Information

• The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $500,000.
• The period of performance is two (2) year(s) with an anticipated start date of July 2020.
• INL may extend the award up to three (3) additional years contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the recipient, Department of State management approval, and funding availability.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Myanmar and meet INL’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Myanmar if required by the country of project implementation.
• Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Myanmar or within Southeast Asia. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
• Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Myanmar and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
• Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
• Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
• Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.

Note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.

To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. INL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. INL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.

Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards issued under this grant award.

INL encourages applications from potential new partners.

For all application documents, please ensure:

• All pages are numbered, including budgets and attachments,
• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326147