Deadline: 15-Feb-24
The U.S. Department of State at U.S. Embassy Belmopan is seeking proposals from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), Educational Institutions, and other qualified organizations for a grant to implement a program entitled “Strengthening Government through Civil Society Engagement.”
Project planning and solicitations must align with Pillar II (Combating corruption, strengthening democratic governance, and advancing the rule of law of the Administration’s RCS. Projects must contribute to one or more lines of effort of RCS Pillar II.
Pillar II: Combatting corruption, strengthening democratic governance, and advancing the rule of law
- LOE 1 – Strengthen democratic institutions to improve governance and rule of law
- The United States will work with countries to promote reform agendas across all branches of government, so government better serves all citizens. This will include a focus on adequately resourcing judicial and oversight institutions, ensuring their independence, and promoting reform of personnel selection and retention processes.
- LOE 2 – Prioritize an anticorruption agenda
- The United States will work regionally, bilaterally, and, if they must, unilaterally to root out corruption and enhance transparency across the region.
- LOE 3 – Improve administration of public resources
- The United States will work with governments to establish proper budgeting, management, and use of public resources at the local and national levels to enhance service delivery for all citizens, including in underserved areas and for vulnerable populations.
- This RCS pillar must meet and overlap with CARSI goals #1) create safe streets for the citizens of the region, and #3) support the development of strong, capable, and accountable Central America countries.
The Five Goals of CARSI in Central America:
- Create safe streets for the citizens of the region;
- Disrupt the movement of criminals and contraband to, within, and between the nations of Central America;
- Support the development of strong, capable, and accountable Central American governments;
- Re-establish effective state presence, services, and security in communities at risk; and
- Foster enhanced levels of coordination and cooperation between the nations of the region, other international partners, and donors to combat regional security threats.
Program Goal
- Support the development of strong, capable, and accountable Central American governments; with Central American civil society able to demand government accountability without reprisal and with the ability to influence policy outcomes. Host nation governments uphold the values and practices of liberal democracy, and citizens hold their governments accountable for these actions.
Program Objectives
- Objective 1: Strengthen democratic institutions and processes to improve good governance and actively support an engaged civil society. Proposals should support collaboration between civil society and government to improve transparency, address systematic corruption and promote anti-corruption advocacy initiatives. Potential activities may include, but are not limited to, capacity building of civil society organizations to serve as watchdogs; strengthening oversight agencies such as the Elections and Boundaries commission, the Public Service Commission, or the Ombudsman Office, to enforce anti-corruption legislations within key government agencies; and projects intended to decrease corruption such as assistance in implementing the UN Convention Against Corruption and Sustainable Development Goal 16.
- Objective 2: Enhance the capacity of government agencies to improve public service delivery by expanding the accessibility of public services to vulnerable, remote, and/or marginalized communities, integrating service delivery systems, or decentralizing their access. Proposals should also seek to promote citizen participation in decision-making processes and increase access to information.
- Objective 3: Enhance support services available to victims and advocate for a coordinated national response among key stakeholders to combat human trafficking and gender-based violence. Proposals should seek to strengthen policies and protocols as well as provide adequate and efficient delivery of justice and access to government services.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $250,000
- Award Floor: $150,000
- Expected # of Awards Funded: 3 to 5
- Number of Applications: One (1) per applicant organizations
Cross-Cutting and Additional Activities
- Utilize Local Resources and Expertise
- Local-based projects that prioritize community interaction and engagement with local civic and government leadership historically have had the best chances of success. Proposals that include the utilization of local resources and expertise are highly encouraged. Partnerships between civil society organizations can also increase the likelihood of sustainable impacts. International applicants must include collaboration with domestic organizations and institutions.
Expected Results
- By the end of the project, grantees should demonstrate that the project has:
- improved government services to provide public resources and publish data,
- made government stronger, more capable, and accountable,
- strengthened civil society organizations to promote accountability and improve their role in environmental governance, and/or
- contributed to safer and more productive communities through improved government services.
Desired Results and Required Outcome Indicators
- The applicant will develop a project-level Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) with annual and end-of-project targets and results anticipated for key performance indicators. The following tables show examples of indicators that will be measured, as well as illustrative targets, upon which the recipient will be responsible for monitoring and reporting during and after the project. In addition, U.S. Embassy Belmopan will regularly monitor each project’s performance to assess whether project activities are on track and targets are being achieved.
- By the end of the project, applicants must demonstrate that the project has contributed to at least one of the following three focuses:
- strengthened policies/procedures to improve government services;
- making government stronger, more capable, and more accountable; and
- enhanced engagement between government and civil society that will be sustained beyond the project timeframe.
- Required Outcome Indicators
- Number of civil society organizations strengthened to promote policy dialogue, advocate for change and/or serve as watchdogs on key issues.
- Number of civil society organizations receiving USG assistance engaged in advocacy interventions and/or policy interventions that affect their communities.
- Number of government service providers and civil society organizations that reduce corruption opportunities in service provision.
- Total number of civil servants having received training.
- Illustrative output indicators
- Outputs are the results of what your organization does. For example, the number of participants who successfully complete a job-training course or received job placement through your activities are outputs. Below are examples of required output indicators.
- Example Output Indicators
- Platforms developed to facilitate public requests for services.
- Women that attend weekly individual counseling sessions.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants who are eligible to apply are U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, institutions of higher education, and international public organizations (IPOs) and other qualified organizations that are able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period of time. Local Belizean NGOs are highly encouraged to apply.
- 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. Non‐discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
- 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.
- The Department of State will issue an award to the Applicant whose application represents the best value to the U.S. Government based on technical merit, efficient use of U.S. Government funds, and satisfactory organizational capacity. The Department of State reserves the right to make an award based on the initial application received with or without discussion or negotiations.
- U.S. Embassy Belmopan encourages applications from potential new partners.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.