Deadline: 21-Jul-23
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Qatar announces the opening of a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for non-profit organizations and individuals to carry out projects that address the climate crisis while promoting gender equality.
Program Objectives
- Combatting climate change and empowering women to lead initiatives in the fields of clean energy, sustainable agriculture, recycling, and upcycling, combatting disinformation, environmental activism, and educational programs on the climate crisis.
- Programs should seek to address the underlying inequalities that limit women and girls’ leadership in addressing climate challenges, and/or hinder their meaningful inclusion in climate resilience, peacebuilding, and economic development (e.g., limited access to education or finance, traditional roles, and responsibilities, etc.).
- There is a growing emphasis in Qatar to tackle climate change issues, promote sustainability, and address Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns. Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to direct Qatar towards a balance between developmental needs and the protection of its natural environment. The vision also emphasizes the importance of increasing citizens’ awareness of their role in protecting the country’s environment for their children and the nation’s future generations. Per the World Bank, Qatar faces risks from several natural hazards, including floods, droughts, and sand and dust storms. Climate change has a significant impact on national security and threatens efforts to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable populations, especially women and girls. The climate crisis is not “gender neutral.” Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, which amplify existing gender inequalities and pose unique threats to their livelihoods, health, and safety.
- Examples of some programs include, but are not limited to:
- Professional and academic exchanges, educational and capacity building programs that address women’s participation, climate crisis adaptation, and the application of technology for sustainability solutions. This may include training women on the use of appropriate technologies for climate action such as the use of applications or sensors to monitor drinking water quality and tracking air pollution. Academic and professional lectures, seminars, workshops, and speaker programs that strengthen the capacity of women-led organizations to participate meaningfully in discussions regarding national and local policies on climate change adaptation; and assist women-led climate organizations and businesses that advance gender-equitable climate solutions.
- Engagements with preeminent U.S. scientists and engineers leveraging their expertise and networks to forge connections with Qatari governments, businesses, universities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for sustained cooperation.
- Programs that support transparency and accountability on environmental governance and advancing gender equality through social and traditional media.
- Programs and activities that enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability of people, places, or livelihoods to climate variability and change, and related extreme weather events.
- Programs that help address extreme heat as an adaptation challenge.
- Programs that increase awareness about biodiversity and environmental protection especially as related to water and/or coastal communities.
- Programs and activities that enable reliable, efficient, sustainable, and secure energy systems by promoting and enabling the production, procurement, and use of renewable energy technologies and energy-efficient end-use technologies.
- Programs and activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land by working with the public and private sectors, including civil society, to promote sustainable land use practices and guide land use change while improving economic and environmental sustainability in partner countries.
- Examples of some standard indicators include, but are not limited to:
- The number of women and girls trained in climate change adaptation/clean energy/sustainable landscapes.
- The number of institutions with improved capacity to address climate change adaptation/clean energy.
- The number of laws, policies, regulations, or standards addressing climate change adaptation/clean energy/sustainable landscapes formally
- proposed, adopted, or implemented.
- The number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector institutions or organizations.
- Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for climate change adaptation/clean energy/sustainable landscapes.
- The number of people who use climate information or implement risk-reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change.
- Percentage of participants reporting increased agreement with equal access to social, economic, and political resources and opportunities.
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, estimated in metric tons of CO2 equivalent, reduced, sequestered, or avoided through clean energy activities.
A Special Note on COVID-19: Applicants are encouraged to allow for flexibility in compliance with current and possible future local, national, and international health restrictions in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. This is especially important for projects proposing in-person interactions such as meetings, exchanges, workshops, and others. Applicants may propose such in-person activities but should include alternate activities, e.g., webinars, virtual meetings, and others, in the case that the former are prohibited or impractical at the time the program is proposed.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $150,000 (Subject to availability of funds)
- Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000, though PAS encourages applicants to create proposals that are well below the maximum threshold of $100,000.
- Length of performance period: 3 to 18 months.
Participants and Audiences
- Applicants should have considerable, practical, and relevant experience in the implementation of the proposed activities to be seriously considered for this project. Previous experience working with Qatari audiences is preferable.
- Priority audiences for this program include:
- Qatari women and girls, especially those living in rural and remote areas
- Qatari youth/students
- Qatari local decision makers, established opinion leaders, and influencers
- Media outlets and experts
- Teachers and academic professionals working with Qatari students
- Emerging Qatari voices
- Please note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above are still eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit and community service organizations registered and operating in Qatar, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience.
- Individuals (Qatari Citizens and residents of Qatar) who are based in Qatar (recipient of an award to an individual is a single person, not an organization or a group of individuals).
- Public and non-profit private educational institutions registered in Qatar.
- Qatari Governmental institutions.
- Please note: For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Ineligible
- The following types of programs are not eligible for funding:
- Programs relating to partisan political activity
- Charitable or development activities/ fund-raising campaigns
- Construction projects
- Programs that support specific religious activities
- Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
- Scientific research
- Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization
- Programs that duplicate existing programs.
For more information, visit PAS.