Deadline: 12-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 expand civil society’s role in oversight and accountability around Morocco’s commitments to improve respect for freedom of expression and the protection of journalists.
Successful program design(s) should focus on approaches that strengthen civil society’s oversight role to promote the implementation of existing international recommendations for Morocco—prioritizing those focused on fundamental freedoms related to the protection of journalists and media actors. Proposals should include specific UPR or other international recommendations that the program aims to address and should make a case for addressing those recommendations specifically.
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, but not limited to, their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, , marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veteran’s status. Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.
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.
Funding Information
- Total Funding Ceiling: $1,000,000
- Total Funding Floor: $750,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
- Period of Performance: 24-36 months
- Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 6-9 months
Approaches
- Potential program approaches may include:
- Expanding knowledge and skills for media and civil society actors to provide greater monitoring of freedom of expression violations.
- Strengthening the ability of civil society to advocate for the implementation of recommendations that improve fundamental rights and freedoms in Morocco.
- Increasing engagement between civil society and media actors and key stakeholders on tracking and advocating for advancements in Morocco’s human rights record as they relate to the UPR and other international commitments.
- Increasing civil society capacity to report on progress made toward the implementation of recommendations.
- Increasing awareness, understanding, and support for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms from key stakeholders, such as government authorities, media actors, and the public in Morocco.
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.