Deadline: 24 May 2019
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 holding the justice system accountable towards preventing and responding to widespread and systemic human rights violations, particularly for vulnerable and high-risk populations that may be targeted during conflict and unable to seek critical support and protection from the legal system.
DRL’s goal is to reduce the practice of bacha bazi across Afghanistan. DRL’s objective is to build up civil society advocates who can proactively address acts of impunity by perpetrators — including security forces, national, and local government officials — implicated in bacha bazi, in support of the 2018 Criminal Code which criminalizes the practice. Program approaches should encourage the accountability of officials implicated in bacha bazi; engage with influential community leaders to confront perpetrators; and support victim protection efforts. The national government’s influence is relatively weak in southern regions where the practice is particularly pervasive, so enlisting the support of community leaders, who have wider influence, will be key. To both ensure local engagement and security force behavior change, programs should work in partnership with local Afghan civil society organizations, Afghan government institutions, and/or local-level influencers, such as, but not limited to, law enforcement officials and/or security force leaders, civilian authorities, community and religious leaders, and national and/or local youth-centered organizations. Any awareness raising campaigns should be aimed specifically at key actors able to prevent the abuse, sexual assault and/or exploitation of children, as well as promote the prosecution of offenders of these crimes. Programs should demonstrate a strong understanding of child exploitation in Afghanistan.
Funding Information
- Award Ceiling: $1,975,305
- Award Floor: $1,000,000
- Period of Performance (example 12-18 months, 2 -5 years): 18-24 months
- Anticipated Time to Award (pending availability of funds): 5-6 months
Eligible Applicants
- DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/non-government 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.
How to Apply
Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply via given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=314283