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NOFO: DRL Bringing Sri Lanka’s Expression Laws in-line with International Standards

Deadline: 22-Apr-2024

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 a project that aims to bring Sri Lanka’s expression laws into compliance with international standards and obligations.

Through this award, DRL aims to strengthen civil society’s capacity to advocate against repressive expression laws and to help increase the Sri Lankan government’s understanding of international human rights obligations as they relate to freedom of speech and assembly.

Funding Information
  • Total Funding Ceiling: $750,000
  • Total Funding Floor: $750,000
  • Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
  • Type of Award: Grant
  • Period of Performance: 18-30 months
  • Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 6-8 months
Program Outcomes could include one or more of the following but are not limited to:
  • Civil society more safely and effectively documents restrictions to freedom of expression and conducts advocacy on freedom of expression issues in regional, international, and multilateral fora;
  • Civil society and community actors operate and coordinate safely to navigate the legal operating environment as it relates to expression online and offline;
  • Local civil society organizations and international human rights institutions bolster efforts to call for amendments to or repeals of regressive expression laws;
  • Government representatives, law enforcement, and legal actors have a better understanding of Sri Lanka’s international human rights obligations.
Program Activities can include but are not limited to:
  • Advancing coordinated, multi-stakeholder advocacy among civil society , media, and tech companies to widen space for freedom of expression in Sri Lanka;
  • Strengthening the skills of civil society to safely document Sri Lanka’s limitations on freedom of expression and use documentation of violations as a result of such laws to advance coordinated action;
  • Connecting Sri Lankan civil society with regional and international organizations/mechanisms to increase pressure on government actors to amend/repeal legislation, and to bring draft laws in line with international human rights standards;
  • Advocating against the misuse of Sri Lankan’s freedom of expression laws against civil society and supporting civil society input on draft bills, including but not limited to the ATB;
  • Supporting civil society’s reporting on progress made towards the implementation of recommendations on expression laws.

All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources.  DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches.  This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.

DRL is committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and underrepresented communities.  In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, programs should implement strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.  Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.

DRL requires all programs to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for non-discrimination of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.

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 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;
Eligibility Criteria
  • DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental 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.

For more information, visit DRL.