U.S. Department of State, Bureau of PRM seeking Concept Notes for NGO Projects Benefiting Refugees and Returnees in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Deadline: 18 February 2020

The United States Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is seeking concept notes for its 2020 NGO Programs benefiting Afghan refugees and returnees.

Priority Areas

In Afghanistan:
- Protection
- Education
- Livelihoods
  - Priority will be given to programs that exhibit strategic thinking to deliver robust income generation and promote self-reliance, including through partnership with development programs or the private sector.
In Pakistan:
- Gender-based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response
  - Priority will be given to programs that prevent overlap and coordinate with other GBV programs, if any in the intervention area.
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
- Education (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa only)
  - Priority will be given to programs that support enrollment and retention of Afghan refugee children, especially girls, in Pakistani government schools.
  - Priority will be given to programs that prevent overlap and coordinate with other education programs, if any in the intervention area.

Country-specific Provisions

Afghanistan

General Guidance: Programs should take place in high refugee-return areas. Applicants are encouraged to focus activities in one or more of the Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration (PARRs).
Funding limits: Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
- Funding floor per award (lowest $$ value): $1,500,000
- Funding ceiling per award (highest $$ value): $2,000,000
Duration of Activity: Program plans for three years will be considered.

Pakistan

General Guidance: To be eligible, international NGO applicants must have legal authorization to operate in Pakistan.
Funding limits: Program proposals must not be less than the funding floor and not more than the funding ceiling per year or they will be disqualified.
- Funding floor per award (lowest $$ value): $500,000
- Funding ceiling per award (highest $$ value): $1,250,000
Duration of Activity: Program plans for two years will be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
International Organizations.
PRM strongly encourages programs that target the needs of vulnerable and underserved groups among the beneficiary population (such groups may include: women; children; adolescents; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) individuals; older persons; the sick; persons with disabilities; and other religious, ethnic, or other minorities) and can demonstrate what steps have been taken to meet the specific and unique protection and assistance needs of these vulnerable groups effectively.
PRM will accept concept notes from any NGO working in the above-mentioned sectors, although, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to concept notes from organizations that can demonstrate:
- a working relationship with UNHCR;
- a proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and specified location;
- evidence of coordination with international organizations (IOs) and other NGOs working in the same area or sector as well as – where possible – local authorities;
- an emphasis on the outcome or impact of program activities. Full objective and indicator tables will only be required if the applicant is invited to submit a full proposal; however, the concept note must generally demonstrate the ability to deliver impact;
- a strong sustainability plan, involving local capacity building, where feasible, will be required if the applicant is invited to submit a full proposal;
- where applicable, adherence to PRM’s Principles for Refugee Protection in Urban Areas;
- an understanding of and sensitivity to conflict dynamics in the program