Deadline: 7-Feb-22
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) has announced a request for proposals from civil society organizations working in South America to empower underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities.
In support of the Biden Administration’s foreign policy and Executive Order 13985 On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) recognizes that around the world, people of color, and in particular people of African descent, are disproportionately discriminated against, forced to endure high levels of violence and excruciating labor conditions, and are systematically denied access to justice and full economic, political, cultural, and social participation in society.
DRL aims to empower underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities, and to uphold the dignity of people who are systematically denied their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Objectives
The project will focus on two objectives:
- Local and national civil society groups are better supported, informed, and organized to advocate for the elimination of racial and ethnic discrimination, inequality and violence in the administration of justice resulting in best practices that can be shared, leveraged, and multiplied. Illustrative outcomes may include, but are not limited to:
- increased capacity of local groups working with and led-by underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities to engage on issues related to human rights to address systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits
- increased leadership and agency of individuals from underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities, including specific focus on Afro-Latinas and African Descendent members of LGBTQI+ communities
- increased cooperation, shared strategies and understanding within and among local groups working with and led-by underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities on promoting and protecting human rights
- increased collaboration among underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities to advocate for the implementation of regional and international conventions at the local and national levels through the development of inclusive legislation and policies
- improved capacity of local civil society organizations to take an intersectional approach when responding to violence, discrimination and other forms of human rights abuse, including support for Afro-Latinas and African Descendent members of LGBTQI+ communities and indigenous peoples
- increased access to and leadership within broader human rights movements and allied communities
- improved access to information and resources related to the experiences and human rights of underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities
- increased access to secure and culturally competent legal services to address the legacy of systemic racism by supporting individuals from underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities to file criminal complaints, serve as witnesses, claim compensation, and take other legal measures to secure redress for victims of racial discrimination and violence.
- Local and national civil society groups working for racial justice are effective at raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities for the fair and equitable administration of justice using the different instruments in local communities, and at the international, regional, and national levels. Illustrative outcomes may include, but are not limited to:
- increased awareness of human rights abuses and violations, and the costs of systemic racism
- the creation of a foundation upon which to build strong and lasting alliances with between and among underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities at regional, national, and local community levels
- increased engagement with local leaders in dialogue to combat intolerance, mistrust, and communal violence against underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities and to create an atmosphere of support and tolerance for all communities
- increased engagement with key stakeholders to reduce the extent to which local leaders and government officials instigate, justify, or accept persecution, violence, and threats that perpetuate systemic barriers to equal opportunity, inclusion and progress
- increased collaboration among relevant stakeholders on advocacy to implement the international policies and reduce impunity for perpetrators of systemic violence and discrimination against underrepresented and underserved racial and ethnic communities.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
- Award Floor: $1,000,000
Eligibility Criteria
- DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment 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), Cost Accounting Standards Administration, Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336888