Deadline: 23 March 2020
The Palestinian Affairs Unit and the Tel Aviv Branch Office of the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem have announced the call for proposal to be implemented in Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank to promote cross-cultural cooperation based on common interest to drive sustainable relationships by building people to people (P2P) civil society capacities.
This program is designed to partner with an American non-profit organization to implement activities which advance the organization’s goals and Embassy Jerusalem mission goals to: increase the capacity of sustainable and influential Palestinian and Israeli organizations; enhance their development and impact, and improve understanding between Palestinians, Israelis and Americans through building collaboration.
The program will enhance the capacity of Palestinian NGOs to impact civil society and create the conditions for a lasting peace.
Objectives
The primary objective is to develop and implement a capacity building program that strengthens partnerships between Palestinian and Israeli civil society organizations and between Palestinian civic society and the U.S. Government. The capacity building and partnership program will also provide mentorship to support the Palestinian non-profit organizations (NGOs) and the leadership of these organizations in developing, implementing, and leading their own projects.
The main objectives and activities will be as following:
- Complete a Needs Assessment of selected sample of at least 15 Palestinian and Israeli institutions from Israel, West Bank, and Jerusalem in order to best identify needs of institutions and make recommendations for program design.
- In collaboration with local, American, and international partners, improve the capabilities and sustainability of influential Palestinian institutions and the leaders, management, or staff who work on the P2P projects by focusing on organizational necessities for success such as fundraising, budgeting, strategic planning, institutional management, partnership building, and community engagement.
- Develop mentoring relationships and networks for Palestinian NGOs and their staff, including initiatives to engage stakeholders, alumni, and partner organizations.
- Lead the development of proposals for a minimum of four institutions for joint Palestinian and Israeli work in order to increase mutual understanding between Palestinians and Israelis through collaboration in fields including, but not limited to, business and economics, education, community development, and civil society.
- Monitor the progress of the projects that will be the outcome of the training programs.
- Monitor and evaluate the project’s success in building capacity of Palestinian NGOs, leadership, and staff, both as the activities take place and at the end of the project.
The initiative focuses on two main strategic goals of this program:
- To promote cross-cultural cooperation based upon a foundation of shared practical interests and to strengthen civil society capacity through mutually beneficial projects, which encourage innovation and economic growth.
- To support and facilitate efforts to strengthen problem solving and negotiation mechanisms, particularly in Jerusalem.
In addition, special consideration will be given to proposals that:
- Foster cooperation in creating, developing and implementing a project between two cross-culture organizations.
- Identify and engage new partners or civil society groups with whom the U.S. government has not previously cooperated.
- Engage alumni of U.S. government programs and exchanges. This could include building upon previous programs or launching new initiatives with alumni from past projects.
- Use American trainers, facilitators, and expertise to develop and implement capacity building training.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: $400,000
- Total available funding: $400,000 depending on availability of funds
- Length of performance period: 12-24 months
- Anticipated program start date: July 1, 2020
Funding Restrictions
The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:
- Projects relating to partisan political activity
- Charitable or development activities
- Construction projects
- Projects that support specific religious activities or promote only one faith/religion
- Fund-raising campaigns
- Lobbying for specific legislation or projects
- Scientific research
- Projects intended primarily for the growth/institutional development/maintenance of the applicant organization or its partner organizations
Eligibility Criteria
- American not-for-profit organizations with local branch offices, with a history of leadership in P2P programs in Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank, and with proven capacity to plan and to implement a program according to this NOFO’s objectives are eligible to apply.
- In addition, eligible applicants should: have over 100 international partners, such as Foundations and Non-Profit Organizations, Corporations and For-Profit Organizations, Governments, and Multilateral Institutions; or form a coalition of over 100 organizations building people-to-people cooperation, coexistence, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities in the Middle East.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their applications by email at the address given on the website.
For more information, visit https://il.usembassy.gov/education-culture/local-programs-grant-competition-promoting-cross-cultural-cooperation/