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NOFO: DRL Enhancing Inclusive Participation and Accountability on Human Rights within ASEAN

Deadline: 08-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 projects that enhance civil society engagement with and support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to safeguard the rights of vulnerable populations across Southeast Asia.

Human rights champions and civil society leaders need technical support to effectively engage with ASEAN and ASEAN Member State (AMS) representatives to advocate for institutional reform and to demand transparency and accountability to strengthen the overall effectiveness of existing ASEAN human rights mechanisms in addressing priority human rights issues in the region.

To respond to these challenges, DRL is seeking proposals that expand local human rights champions’ participation and engagement with ASEAN human rights mechanisms. The goal of this project is to improve the effectiveness of existing ASEAN human rights mechanisms through reform and coordinated, rights-respecting action on priority human rights issues across Southeast Asia.  DRL’s long-term goal is that ASEAN human rights bodies effectively respond to human rights abuses and strengthen protections for human rights across Southeast Asia and AMS safeguard the rights of vulnerable populations.

In support of the project goal, programs should work towards the following objectives:
  • Human rights advocates and civil society leaders understand and effectively engage with ASEAN to advocate for access, transparency, accountability, and reform of ASEAN human rights mechanisms and for rights-respecting responses to priority human rights issues.
  • ASEAN human rights mechanisms and AMS representatives leverage civil society expertise to integrate public priorities into mechanism reform and more inclusive, transparent, and effective responses to human rights violations across the region.
Illustrative activities may include:
  • Strengthening the capacity of local political officials, civil society, and human rights champions on the role, functions, and limitations of ASEAN human rights mechanisms; strategic communication and public awareness raising; and effective and constructive engagement with ASEAN mechanisms and AMS representatives.
  • Tracking and analyzing regional trends around human rights and fundamental freedom violations across ASEAN led by civil society.
  • Leveraging findings and recommendations from data collection and research on regional human rights trends to inform and monitor commitments and actions of ASEAN human rights mechanisms and AMS governments.  In addition to supporting partners to conduct country-specific activities, this may also include capacity building or technical assistance to partners to ensure that advocacy initiatives address regional human rights issues and are tailored to working with different government sectors.
  • Supporting domestic and regional media outlets to amplify findings from monitoring and documentation efforts on regional human rights violations and analysis of ASEAN progress towards human rights commitments to generate public awareness of pressing human rights issues.
  • Conducting public awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and advocacy initiatives to promote awareness of regional trends on human rights, fundamental freedom issues, international human rights laws and standards, the role of ASEAN human rights mechanisms and frameworks, and progress toward meeting ASEAN human rights commitments.
When developing competitive proposals, applicants should consider the following elements:
  • The program should be regional in scope and should focus on 1-2 primary human rights and fundamental freedoms issue areas in the ASEAN region (e.g. freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, freedom of movement, the right to justice, arbitrary arrests and detentions, environmental rights, refugee and migrant rights, women and girls’ rights, ethnic and indigenous rights, LGBTQI+ rights, etc.).
  • The proposed project may include country-specific interventions for countries within ASEAN.  Clearly articulate the strategy underpinning country-specific interventions as it relates to the program goal and country context.
  • Propose strategies to engage civil society in advocating for and contributing to the development of inclusive policy and reform recommendations that recognize and address the specific needs of marginalized communities.
  • Focus on empowering local communities through activities to enhance their understanding of the role of ASEAN human rights mechanisms and how to engage effectively to advocate for their human rights.

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.

Funding Information
  • Total Funding Ceiling:  $1,000,000
  • Total Funding Floor:  $1,000,000
  • Anticipated Number of Awards:  1
  • Period of Performance:  24-36 months
  • Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds:  5-7 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;
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.