Deadline: 1-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 programming that supports equitable and impartial media coverage in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
DRL seeks regional programs with the objectives to counter discrimination and promote greater diversity in media coverage of marginalized racial and ethnic communities and underrepresented and vulnerable groups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Program approaches may include:
- Countering mis- and disinformation as well as negative rhetoric targeting marginalized racial and ethnic communities, as well as refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.
- Strengthening the capacity of independent media outlets to investigate and develop fact-based, quality reporting on rights issues impacting marginalized racial and ethnic communities and underrepresented groups.
- Supporting content development and community-based journalism by underrepresented and vulnerable communities on rights-related issues of community concern.
- Promoting collaboration and engagement between media actors and civil society organizations representative of diverse communities and perspectives.
- Facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange on confronting hate speech and promoting diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion in the media.
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 their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, 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 Floor: $500,000
- Total Funding Ceiling: $750,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-2
- Period of Performance: 24-36 months.
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.