Deadline: 28-May-21
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 improve freedom association and responsive governance in Kazakhstan.
Program results may include but are not limited to:
- Creating opportunities for CSOs to network, develop shared strategies, and share information between themselves, independent advocates, and newly emerging activists from younger generations on advocacy directed at Kazalchstani government officials and/or the wider society;
- Experienced CSOs provide mentorship and capacity building opportunities for less experienced or independent advocates, particularly in Kazalchstan’s regions, on human rights advocacy directed at Kazalchstani government officials and/or the wider society;
- Build the capacity of CSOs, particularly in Kazakhstan’s regions, to explore and advocate for more locally driven solutions to current and mainstream funding for civil society;
- Activists develop skills for collective advocacy on freedom of association issues;
- CSOs engage in strategic advocacy toward the government via committees and working groups and identify new ways to engage when established channels do not function appropriately due to a lack of trust among participants;
- CSOs collaboratively work with universities and/or governmental agencies to include respect for the freedom of association into educational curricula.
Funding Information
- Funding Floor: $750,000
- Funding Ceiling: $750,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
- Type of Award: Grant
- Period of Performance: 18-24 months/years
- Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 4 months
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.
Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
- The provision of humanitarian assistance;
- English language instruction;
- Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
- Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
- External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
- Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
- Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
- Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
- Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.
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.
- 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332417