Deadline: 20 March 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 support the policy objective to strengthen Burma’s transition to a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous state.
Categories
DRL invites organizations to submit proposals for programs under the following categories:
- Strengthen and Support Civil Society
- DRL’s objective is to strengthen and support the expansion of civil society to advance human rights and good governance in support of Burma’s democratic transition.
- Programs will strengthen the effectiveness, resilience, and security of grassroots civil society organizations and human rights advocates to collaborate and pursue political and legal reform and advocacy advancing the protection of human rights and democratic, civilian-led government. Program activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Capacity building for grassroots civil society organizations on strategic planning, advocacy, and nonviolent activism, including provision of appropriate resources and support to enhance digital and physical security practices;
- Developing effective and sustainable strategies for community engagement and mobilization in support of policy and legal reforms, including development of awareness raising and outreach campaigns;
- Fostering locally led advocacy efforts for legal reforms that repeal, amend, and/or decriminalize laws used to limit free speech, expression, association, and assembly;
- Strengthening civil society policy research and analysis skills to more effectively engage with policymakers and influence the development of public policy and political decision making processes;
- Improving civil society watchdog and oversight functions to advance transparent and accountable government, security sector actors, and business enterprises;
- Supporting existing civil society networks focused on civic engagement and promotion of human rights and democratic principles or development of new networks;
- Encouraging coalition building and collaboration among human rights advocates, independent media, and other civil society stakeholders to advance human rights and democratic principles.
- Promote Respect for Religious Freedom and Full Inclusion of Minorities
- DRL’s goal is to promote religious freedom and support the development of a diverse, multi-religious and multi-ethnic society in Burma that respects the rights of all people.
- Programs will address factors that contribute to religious intolerance and intercommunal conflict through a focus on advancing pluralism and respect for religious freedom and the importance of a diverse and inclusive society. Programs should foster an environment of greater inter-communal and intra-communal respect and peaceful coexistence in Burma, allowing individuals to live free from discrimination, abuse, and violence on account of their religious identity or beliefs. Program activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Developing a cohort of faith and civil society leaders with conflict resolution and dialogue skills to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and societal inclusion for all, and to mitigate inter- or intrareligious tensions;
- Engaging with community influencers, leaders, and policymakers to advocate for mutual respect and full societal inclusion for individuals from all religious and ethnic backgrounds;
- Supporting existing networks of inter- and intrafaith-based organizations or development of new ones aimed at advocacy efforts or collective actions to advance respect for religious freedom and related human rights;
- Engaging community members and youth in interfaith action or community projects to promote respectful coexistence, rights protections, and societal inclusion of all people regardless of religion;
- Forging connections between and among faith leaders, policy makers, community leaders, and civil society actors to promote religious and ethnic coexistence and inclusion for all people regardless of religion;
- Engaging government and political parties to amend for laws restricting freedom of religion and encourage consistent and fair enforcement of existing protections, including at the sub-national level.
Award Information
- Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
- Award Floor: $750,000
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=323810