U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka announces Small and Mighty Grants Program

Deadline: 17-Aug-20

The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Colombo is soliciting proposals for the 2020 small and mighty grants program.

Program Goals

The program goals of this funding opportunity are provided below:

They encourage programs promoting peace, democracy, reconciliation and human rights, which promote social integration among all communities of society; encourage participatory processes between citizens and the government; strengthen partnerships to give communities a greater voice in government and society, programs that strengthen democratic values; enhance awareness and protection of religious freedom and human rights principles; and encourage gender equality.
They encourage programs promoting economic empowerment, good governance and rule of law,such as transparency, right to information, anti-corruption, gender equality and disability rights in the workplace and promote entrepreneurship, and especially women’s entrepreneurship, as a component of a healthy economy and a means to integrate into regional economy.
They encourage programs promoting Sri Lanka as a free, open and secure partner through programs that increase positive, fact-based media coverage of security and political engagements. Increased public support for bilateral security cooperation and logistic arrangements.

Funding Information

Minimum (“Floor”) Award Amount: $800,000
Maximum (“Ceiling”) Award Amount: $1,500,000
Anticipated Performance Period: 06 months to 12 months

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is open to all non-profit, non-governmental organizations. U.S. Universities. Individuals are not eligible for an award under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the local primary partner of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.

Requirements

The local primary partner will be responsible for all aspects of the program. Submitted proposals should include programmatic and financial details on the following:

Announcement of SMALL & MIGHTY funding opportunities: Under this project, the local primary partner will organize, administer, and provide outreach to solicit grant applications from NGOs and individuals who will be local implementing partners. That includes, but is not limited to, soliciting and administering a web-based application process for sub-awards creating one-page grant applications to host on-line with budget template in an iterative proposal process with appropriate U.S. Embassy branding on all items and pages.
Create formalized application review process: The local primary partner will create a transparent application review process to share details of all local implementing partners received, with the U.S. Embassy grants evaluation team. The grant evaluation team will consist of two PAS staff members who will vote with the local primary partner to select and rank order applications every two months for funding, as disbursement of funds become available.
Administer small grants on behalf of the Embassy: This cooperative agreement is providing smaller grants on behalf of the Embassy and must continue to reflect mission goals and priorities in the selection of awards. We are seeking an established local primary partner in a cooperative agreement in order to seek out local implementing partners for sub awards with preference given to new local implementing partners who have not previously received USG funding. If applicable, the local implementing partners should submit the following with their initial application. Official Permission letters from the relevant authorities to carry out the project activities; if applicable MOUs/Agreements, and/or letters of support: with any sub-contractors, implementing partners, etc. involved in the project.
Offices throughout Sri Lanka: It is a requirement that the local primary partner will have the ability to work in all three languages, have offices throughout the country, and work with all ethnic communities to solicit and select applications. There must be transparency in receipt of submissions, selection criteria, and feedback provided to local implementing partners.
Traditional and/or social media plan for amplification and advertisement of the program activities and outcomes: The local primary partner will be required to ensure robust social and/or traditional media coverage throughout the program including announcement, awards and results. The local implementing partners are welcome to collaborate with PAS social media team to maximize their project impacts through social media.
Monitoring and evaluation plan: The local primary partner should have tools to measure their capacity development along the way.
Calendar of awards: Select local primary partner in September 2020. Announce “Small & Mighty” to public in September 2020 with call for proposals by October 2020 (providing sufficient time for funds transfers to local primary partner), and first award funded by November of 2020.