Deadline: 29-May-23
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 strengthen opposition governance actors’ ability to design policies that are responsive to the needs of local communities, promote democratic norms, and protect fundamental freedoms.
DRL invites organizations to submit applications for programs that strengthen Burma’s opposition governance actors’ ability to design and enact policies that are responsive to the needs of local communities, inclusive of minority groups, and respect and protect fundamental freedoms and human rights. Applicants are highly encouraged to design programs that support subnational governance structures in multiple locations and include opportunities for these groups to share best practices and lessons learned and strengthen cohesion within Burma’s pro-democracy movement at the subnational level. Applicants must clearly articulate their ability to carry out activities safely and effectively and are encouraged to demonstrate existing capacity and experience in implementing similar activities in the post-coup environment.
Proposal packages must include a contingency fund line item of at least one (1) percent of the proposed program budget for ad-hoc, needs-based, emergency assistance to provide support to program beneficiaries, to help them adapt to the changing operational environment to continue to meet program objectives. Support under this line item may include, but is not limited to, support for partners to physically relocate during a crisis; telecommunications equipment or technical assistance to allow partners to continue their work in case of continued digital threats and restrictions on internet access; and legal support.
Objectives
The program should be designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Opposition governance actors develop and enact inclusive and rights-respecting policies, representing the views of the communities they represent; and
- Community members, including women, youth, and ethnic and religious minority groups, have the advocacy skills, access, and opportunities to participate in local governance.
Funding Information
- Total Funding Floor: $1,000,000
- Total Funding Ceiling: $1,728,395
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-2
- Period of Performance: 24 – 36 months
- Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 4 – 7 months.
Activities
Illustrative activities may include:
- Provide technical assistance to local opposition governance structures to establish systems that promote inclusive, democratic practices and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of diverse constituencies;
- Leverage existing relationships and research on opposition-led governance structures to develop or strengthen subnational networks and partnerships within Burma’s pro-democracy movement to share best practices in designing and enacting responsive and inclusive policies;
- Support communication and coordination channels to build trust and recognition of shared goals between opposition-led governing structures;
- Develop or build on existing feedback mechanisms between opposition subnational governance structures and pro-democracy institutions;
- Building the capacity of youth, women, ethnic and religious minority groups, or other representatives of marginalized groups to advocate for their priorities within opposition-led subnational governance structures;
- Support civil society actors to foster dialogue between constituents and opposition-led governance structures to strengthen linkages and provide feedback mechanisms for inclusive and responsive policies.
All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and should have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources. DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches. This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way. DRL is committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and underrepresented communities. Programs should seek strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.
Competitive proposals may also include a summary budget and budget narrative for 12 additional months following the proposed period of performance. This information should indicate what objective(s) and/or activities could be accomplished with additional time and/or funds beyond the proposed period of performance.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental 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.
Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.
For more information, visit DRL.