Deadline: 31-Jul-2024
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is seeking proposals to identify Afghan diaspora CSOs who will provide technical assistance, capacity building and/or resources to convene visioning and consensus-building sessions for Afghan diaspora groups and networks working to protect human rights and democratic gains in Afghanistan.
Scope of Work
- NDI seeks to support this development of a shared vision and advocacy approach and, to that end, is soliciting Concept Notes from interested Afghan diaspora CSOs with the intention of issuing approximately four (4) to six (6) small grants valued at $10,000-$24,000. The Institute invites Afghan diaspora CSOs to submit concept notes for programs that will provide technical assistance, capacity building and/or resources to convene visioning and consensus-building sessions among Afghan diaspora groups and networks that seek to protect human rights and democratic gains in Afghanistan. This initiative is part of NDI’s long-term support to Afghan civil society organizations in the diaspora, and outcomes from these activities will build upon the ongoing exchange and coordination among the diaspora groups that have been developing since the mass exodus of civil society and human rights activists from Afghanistan three years ago. Funded activities should seek to inform future consensus building and coordination efforts among Afghan civil society in the diaspora, with the following objectives and illustrative activities and deliverables:
- Visioning Objectives: Activities with Afghan diaspora activists and organizations should facilitate collective visioning exercises that outline future goals, strategies, and aspirations for the promotion and protection of human rights and democratic gains in Afghanistan. Illustrative activities may include brainstorming sessions, strategic planning exercises, and discussions to outline desired outcomes and long-term objectives for their shared advocacy agenda.
- Consensus Building Objectives: Consensus building activities with Afghan diaspora activists and organizations should promote discussion and common understanding on key issues related to human rights and democracy in Afghanistan. They should facilitate constructive dialogue, mediation of differing viewpoints, and the development of shared strategies and action plans. Illustrative activities may focus on promoting collaboration and unity among diverse stakeholders to enhance effective advocacy and support initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of Afghan diaspora communities in promoting human rights and democracy in Afghanistan.
- Illustrative Activities:
- In-person and virtual convenings to facilitate coordination and collaboration among Afghan diaspora activists and organizations in the proposed country, region or globally.
- Visioning exercises to collectively envision future goals and strategies.
- Advocacy strategy planning sessions to develop effective approaches and action plans.
- Other illustrative activities, as appropriate.
- Illustrative Deliverables:
- Timeline and roadmap for the development of a medium to long-term vision statement that will be developed by diaspora activists and organizations in the proposed country, region or globally.
- Long-term diaspora advocacy agenda developed by diaspora activists and organizations in your country, region or globally.
- Short-term and medium-term action plans developed for various advocacy areas identified by activists and organizations in your country, region or globally.
Timeline
- Award issuance is expected to be finalized by September 30, 2024, with activities anticipated to take place from October 2024 to February 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
- NDI is seeking to work with nascent Afghan diaspora civil society organizations that are focused on democracy and human rights. NDI will review and evaluate concept notes based on the guidelines and criteria outlined below, taking into consideration the viability of the proposed concept, organizational capacity and reasonableness of the projected costs. Recognizing the nascency of many Afghan diaspora organizations, groups do not need to have extensive experience in international advocacy or substantial organizational history.
- NDI encourages submissions from nascent Afghan diaspora organizations located in various regions, including but not limited to Asia, Europe and North America.
- Please note that there may be specific requirements for organizations to be registered in their operating country in order to receive funding; however, NDI encourages any interested organizations that are outside of Afghanistan to apply, regardless of registration status.
- Selected organizations will be invited to submit full proposals for NDI’s consideration. NDI may request meetings or calls to discuss concept notes and reserves the right to refrain from reviewing any concept notes that do not include the required components and/or meet the formatting, length or other criteria listed.
- NDI reserves the right to request further information or to ask questions on concept notes before an award is made. NDI is not liable for any costs associated with the preparation, transmittal or presentation of any materials submitted in response to this request for concept notes or subsequent requests for proposals.
For more information, visit NDI.