Deadline: 27-Jun-2024
The Nagorikata Civic Engagement Fund currently seeks proposals from civil society organizations registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau and/or the Department of Social Services to implement projects that promote gender equality, peace, justice and stronger institutions aligning with SDGs 5 and 16.
The overall goal of the CEF is “Increased voice, representation, recognition, and participation of civil society (especially women, youth, and members of marginalized communities) in decision-making, influencing, holding government to account, and seeking redress for violations.”
Focus Areas
- This first Call for Proposals (CFP) from the Nagorikata-Civic Engagement Fund program is presented under the overarching theme: ‘Gender Equality’ and will be seeking proposals from diverse CSOs that specifically address gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, notably focusing on 1- the promotion of their human rights; 2- their participation in decision-making, and; 3- their access and control over resources).
- Preference will be given to proposals that focus on the following through innovative approaches (transformative, scalable, strategic, collaborative):
- Women’s Leadership and Representation, and
- Gender and Climate Justice
- Preference will also be given to strong organizations who will support smaller local organizations to make their advocacy more effective and develop their capacity. The goal is to help smaller organizations strengthen the voice of citizens and advocate for accountable governance. The smaller organizations could include women’s rights organizations, formal and informal citizens’ groups, and/or organizations representing and led by members of marginalized communities.
- Attributes of the target groups within the proposals may include:
- youth
- marginalised groups and ethnic minorities
- citizens without voice
- differently abled persons
- Areas of intervention may include, amongst others:
- capacities for advocacy
- enhancing diversity/equity/inclusion
- partnerships
- localization.
- with an understanding of not covering or attempting to cover all these areas under a single proposal.
Funding Information
- Per Grant Budgets (BDT): From 36,000,000 – To 73,000,000
- Duration (Years): 2.5
- Number of Grants: 6
- These first six grants are expected to be awarded in September 2024.
Outcomes
- Through support to civil society, the CEF intends to achieve the following four outcomes, which are also reflected in the Theory of Change:
- Outcome 1: Increased outreach to and mobilization of citizens at all levels. The CEF aims to increase the capacity of civil society to reach, mobilize and represent citizens, with particular focus on women, youth, and members of marginalized communities. Mobilization of individuals and communities is critical for advocacy at all levels. Examples of interventions that could contribute to this outcome include: innovation and information and communication technology (ICT) to increase outreach and mobilization of citizens so that they can more meaningfully contribute to policy-making and governance; identification of gaps in the availability and/or quality of public services, and citizens’ advocacy with government to address those gaps; and facilitating citizens’ contributions to public oversight and accountability mechanisms.
- Outcome 2: Expanded civil society cooperation, partnerships, and networks. The CEF aims to strengthen civil society networks, coalitions, and alliances on agendas related to democratic governance, gender equality, accountability, oversight, and rule of law. Examples of interventions related to this outcome could be horizontal and vertical network development; joint research and policy analysis; innovation and ICT solutions to strengthen sharing of knowledge, data, or learning between local and national civil society organizations (CSOs); and development of common agendas and policy positions.
- Outcome 3: Increased cooperation, interaction, and policy dialogue between civil society organizations and government. The CEF aims to enhance effective interaction between CSOs and government institutions. Examples of interventions related to this outcome could include: local or national collaboration with the government on citizen-centered participation; providing legal aid and access to justice; oversight mechanisms; evidence-based dialogue on legal or institutional reform or development of policies; accountability initiatives through issue-specific advocacy or public interest litigation; and ICT systems for collective public oversight of government, including sharing and use of data and statistics, common research or analysis initiatives.
- Outcome 4: Increased capacity and knowledge of civil society organizations. The CEF aims to strengthen capabilities of CSOs relevant for the implementation of all other outcomes. Support to organizations led by women, youth, and members of marginalized communities, including smaller CSOs, will be prioritized. Examples of interventions could include organizational capacity development and facilitation of joint learning, peer-to-peer learning, ICT development, innovation capacity, and training on research, data management, stronger internal democratic governance, or specific themes relevant for the CEF.
Geographical Focus
- The CEF can support grant projects in any or all parts of Bangladesh at national, district and/or local levels. This call for proposals is not restricted to any district and there is no minimum or maximum number of districts or unions that must be included. Applicants should name the exact locations where the activities will be implemented and should explain specifically how activities will be implemented at national, district, and/or local levels.
Eligibility Criteria
- The minimum qualifications for CSO eligibility to apply for a CEF grant are:
- Proof of legal registration in Bangladesh (i.e., currently valid Registration Certificate from NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB)). Additional legal registration with either the Department of Social Services Department or under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 is preferred;
- At least three years previous experience implementing projects that are similar or closely-related in terms of themes and methodologies;
- Policies compatible with CEF principles of due diligence in relation to finance, transparency and accountability, or a commitment to develop such policies with technical support from CEF;
- Willingness to sign a Declaration of Honor (integrity pledge) regarding commitments to anti-corruption, non-discrimination, do-no-harm, data protection, non-partisanship, nonviolence, and gender and social equity; and
- Documentation of support from the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs for any proposed activities in Khagrachhari, Rangamati and/or Bandarban Hill Tracts.
Ineligible
- The FMA cannot award CEF grants to Government of Bangladesh (GOB) institutions or quasigovernmental entities. Individuals are not eligible to apply for CEF grants, and international NGOs are not eligible for CEF grants, even if they have local offices in Bangladesh. In addition, to be eligible for a CEF grant, organizations must not be:
- private sector, for-profit entities as direct grantees
- political parties
- public international organizations
- foreign-based organizations
- faith-based organizations whose objectives are discriminatory and/or serve religious purposes
- informal alliances without legal status
- organizations directly affiliated with SDC, USAID, Global Affairs Canada or any of their directors, trustees, officers or employees;
- on any of the various prohibitive or restrictive lists of the GOB, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and/or the United Nations, including any individual or entity enlisted or banned, as the case may be, under Section 18 of the Bangladesh Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 (Act XVI of 2009); or
- any organization that has had any previous award terminated by SDC, USAID, or Global Affairs Canada on performance grounds under any project.
For more information, visit USAID.