Deadline: 3 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 and promote the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017, including the preparation and meaningful participation of women around the world in decision-making processes related to conflict prevention, mitigation and resolution, as well as peace-building and political transition.
Focus Areas
- Programs should focus on “countries or regions considered to be at risk of undergoing, or emerging from, violent conflict” in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- The region has recognized the effectiveness of women, peace, and security strategies; however, there are major gaps in implementation of the practices especially in countries in democratic transitions.
Project Objectives and Activities
- Projects should aim to increase women’s readiness for and participation as leaders in the transition to stable democracies and to ensure that women are meaningfully included in all aspects of decision-making processes.
- Program activities may include: engaging political parties so that party structures and cultures become more supportive of women’s leadership and participation; encouraging the effective implementation of laws, rules and regulations that promote women as equal participants in building democracies during post-conflict transitions; building towards national-level frameworks and/or structures by working with and successively expanding on local-level frameworks and/or structures; providing technical assistance to emerging women leaders, including but not limited to women in government and civil society; developing women’s technical and professional competencies, including training to lead in governance and policy making, and ensure that women are represented in all aspects and at all levels of government; identifying and addressing policies, laws, regulations and practices, including violence, intimidation and harassment such as politically-motivated violence against women candidates and elected officials that create barriers to women’s meaningful participation in democratic and post-conflict processes; and developing, if not already in place, and/or implementing National Action Plans on Women, Peace, and Security.
Award Information
- Award Ceiling: $1,100,000
- Award Floor: $550,000
Preferences
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- propose programming in at least two (2) countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that have similar issues and have complementary cross border coordination;
- partner with local civil society organizations committed to the advancement of women and girls, including women-led organizations and by providing sub-awards;
- present a family- and community-based approach that engages men and boys as champions and partners in support of the meaningful participation of women in public life and democratic institutions;
- demonstrate an understanding of the women, peace, and security agenda, as well as the political/crisis/conflict situation in proposed location(s), including an analysis of the rule of law, and any transitional laws dictating inclusion and/or key stakeholders; and
- demonstrate a strong understanding of the unique needs of women in government as well as women and girls in conflict-affected countries, including the barriers to their participation in project activities and how to safely mitigate these risks and challenges.
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.
How to Apply
Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials on the given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=313517