Deadline: 28 April 2020
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 human rights in Maldives.
Program activities will include working with community groups and engaging them in activities which may include but are not limited to:
- Creating opportunities for dialogue between civil society and citizen groups and government representatives;
- Support for Maldivian civil society organizations that includes organizational development, management, and other forms of capacity building, in addition to technical program support;
- Identifying societal and legal issues of mutual concern between community and government representatives;
- Advocating for collective concerns which may include social respect or reform of government policies or practices;
- Increasing capacity of civil society groups to more effectively advocate to support the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups;
- Advocating for changes in government policies or practices in response to community concerns;
- Supporting public awareness and broader community engagement of advocacy efforts and results of civic- government engagement.
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.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $500,000
- Award Floor: $500,000
- Period of Performance: 12-24 months
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.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=325268