Deadline: 26 April 2017
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 that promote and protect religious freedom in the regions of Europe and East Asia and the Pacific.
Objectives
- In Europe ($400,000)
- DRL’s objective is to have a direct and lasting impact in combating discrimination and intolerance, including acts that can lead to violence, on account of religion or belief in Europe.
- There has been a recent spike in anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment as part of the cultural and political discourse in Europe and some Christians including Protestant and Evangelical groups are facing increasing harassment and restrictions in certain countries.
- This has had a negative effect on religious freedom in many European countries.
- Hate projected in the public sphere and online is spilling over into violent acts in real time, with Jewish and Muslim communities and institutions increasingly targeted for hate crimes.
- In East Asia and the Pacific ($500,000): DRL’s objectives are the following:
- First, engage parliamentarians to use the legislative process to bring domestic laws in line with international standards on freedom of religion or belief.
- Second, strengthen parliamentarians’ understanding of freedom of religion and work through existing regional institutional fora and networks to engage oppressive governments and press them to change laws and policies that limit religious freedoms or discriminate against religious minorities.
- Lastly, ensure parliamentarians engage civil society organizations (CSOs) to seek input on and build inclusive legislative coalitions for raising awareness of the challenges facing religious minorities.
Funding Information
- DRL anticipates having approximately $900,000.
- Applications should not request less than $400,000 and no more than $500,000.
- Applicants should include an anticipated start date between August 2017 – September 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18-36 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.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via given website.
For more information, please visit Grants.gov.