Deadline: 27-Jun-22
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) has announced an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that promote respect and social inclusion among members of differing religious identity and belief in Bulgaria and Romania.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $987,654
- Award Floor: $987,654
Program Activities
- Program activities may include but are not limited to:
- Developing national and regional networks of coalitions for advocacy; supporting
- strategic engagement with local, regional, and national governments; and development of advocacy campaigns for coalitions and networks to effectively engage local governments on collective concerns;
- Improving conflict resolution and other communication skills among program participants to decrease tension and discrimination between minority and majority groups;
- Advocating for collective concerns which may include social respect or reform of local government policies or practices;
- Providing opportunities for joint advocacy projects among coalition members;
- Creating opportunities for dialogue between coalition groups and government
- representatives;
- Supporting public awareness and broader community engagement of advocacy efforts and the work of multi-faith coalitions.
- 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.
Program Outcomes
Expected program outcomes may include but are not limited to:
- Communities increase awareness of the value of religious pluralism, mutual respect, and inclusion for all;
- Community processes or mechanisms address the concerns and interests of community members,
- in particular members of minority religion, belief, and non-believers and other marginalized groups;
- Community members advocate for the rights of members from all religions, belief or nonbelievers and other marginalized groups;
- Community actors take collective action to promote and protect the freedoms of members of all religions, belief and non-believers and other marginalized groups.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants:
- 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.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=339868