Deadline: 29-May-23
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 support the resiliency, diversity, and efficacy of Burma’s pro-democracy movement in advancing fundamental freedoms and human rights.
Objectives
Proposal packages must include a contingency fund line item of at least two (2) percent of the proposed program budget for ad-hoc, needs-based, emergency assistance to provide support to program beneficiaries, to help them adapt to the changing operational environment to continue to meet program objectives. Support under this line item may include, but is not limited to, support for partners to physically relocate during a crisis, telecommunications equipment or technical assistance to allow partners to continue their work in case of continued digital threats and restrictions on internet access, and legal support.
The project should achieve the following objectives:
- Improve the resiliency of civil society and human rights defenders to operate securely and strategically to protect civic space and advance fundamental freedoms and human rights in Burma;
- Strengthen collaboration and mutual aid between and among pre-existing civil society and human rights defender networks to pursue collective advocacy and nonviolent tactics to advance the broader democratic movement in Burma.
Funding Information
- Total Funding Floor: $987,654
- Total Funding Ceiling: $987,654
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
- Period of Performance: 18 – 24 months
- Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 4 – 7 months
Activities
Illustrative activities may include:
- Provide tailored assistance to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations and human rights defenders to protect civic space and advance fundamental freedoms and human rights. Illustrative training topics could include nonviolent activism strategies and approaches, conflict resolution, organizing and leadership, coalition-building, and other areas related to the promotion and protection of civic space, fundamental freedoms, and democracy;
- Provide technical assistance to civil society groups to address organizational, technical, and knowledge gaps that impede civil society from effectively pursuing pro-democracy goals;
- Securely advance existing civil society networks, revive dormant networks and/or build alliances between diverse activists and organizations operating both in-country and in the diaspora. Diverse networks should cross state and regional borders and include members from ethnic and religious groups;
- Facilitate opportunities for beneficiaries to effectively apply new skills and knowledge through sub-grant assistance. Subgrant activities should respond to emerging opportunities and threats to the protection and advancement of fundamental freedoms, human rights and civic space in Burma. Activities should also encourage coalition-building and collaboration among civil society groups and human rights defenders to build consensus and joint action to advance human rights and the broader democratic movement in Burma;
- Promote resiliency through the provision of psychosocial and mental health support for civil society and human rights defenders in Burma; and
- Support physical and digital security through user-focused and demand driven mechanisms that support civil society to respond to imminent threats and coordinate and advance urgent appeals to bring attention to individual cases and provide emergency-based assistance. Strategies that improve the likelihood that security practices will be sustainably implemented are encouraged.
All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and should have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources. DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches.
Competitive proposals may also include a summary budget and budget narrative for six additional months following the proposed period of performance. This information should indicate what objective(s) and/or activities could be accomplished with additional time and/or funds beyond the proposed period of performance.
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.
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. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.
For more information, visit DRL.
