Deadline: 17-Apr-23
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications for projects that ensure credible transitional justice processes in Yemen include a survivor-centered and accessible approach.
DRL’s goal in Yemen is to hold perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses accountable for their actions. The objectives of these programs are to accurately document and rectify human rights abuses and violations by all parties to the conflict. Disseminating information and awareness about judicial recourse processes to survivors when their rights have been violated helps prevent harm, breaks patterns of impunity, and ensures the rule of law is respected and upheld.
Expanding access to advocacy networks with international reach amplifies the voices of survivors. Perspectives from Yemeni civil society are integral in bolstering survivor-centered justice mechanisms. Successful program design should focus on approaches that promote the inclusion of civil society and survivors in transitional justice processes and incorporate a rigorous, survivor-centered methodology to accurately document human rights abuses and violations by all parties to the conflict.
Potential program approaches may include:
- Strengthening Yemeni civil society organizations to produce and preserve high quality documentation of human rights abuses and violations from all sides of the conflict, in line with a survivor-centered approach.
- Developing and implementing a Yemeni civil society and survivor-led framework of recommendations on justice and accountability and engaging key stakeholders and decision-makers at the local, national, and international levels, including development of dossiers for referral for international sanctions and accountability initiatives.
- Fostering the creation of networks of survivors’ groups to inform transitional justice processes, facilitate advocacy efforts, and link documentation efforts across Yemen.
- Creating Yemeni-led referral networks and enhancing access to services for survivors, including psychosocial assistance.
Funding Information
- Funding Floor: $750,000
- Funding Ceiling: $2,000,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 2-3
- Period of Performance: 24-36 months
- Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 6-9 months
Activities
- 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.
- Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
- The provision of humanitarian assistance;
- English language instruction;
- Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
- Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
- External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
- Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
- Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
- Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
- Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.
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.
For more information, visit Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.