Deadline: 4-Jun-21
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 regional projects in the East Asia and Pacific region to strengthen transparent and accountable governance that respects human rights and addresses inequality as an integral part of addressing climate change and protecting the environment for all.
DRL seeks regional projects that clearly articulate the linkages between civil and political human rights and good governance with climate and the environment, and should be designed to achieve the following outcomes:
- Addressing violence and systemic governance, human rights, and inequality issues are fully integrated as part of a holistic approach when addressing climate change and environmental issues by governments, the private sector, and other relevant stakeholders
- Whole-of-society approaches that bring together governments with, inter alia, members of marginalized and underserved communities, civil society, independent media, and the private sector are utilized, increase transparency and accountability, foster increased collaboration and joint-efforts, and mitigate threats of violence
- Members of marginalized and underserved communities, civil society, and independent media more effectively advocate for, report on, and inform government, private sector, or other stakeholder efforts free from violence
- Transboundary and/or regional cooperation is increased to address transboundary issues
Projects should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and should have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources. Programs are encouraged to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches, but DRL will not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way. Programs should seek to include groups that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, and/or sexual orientation. Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the fullest extent possible. DRL also requires all of its programming to be nondiscriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for integration of individuals/organizations regardless of religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, and/or sexual orientation.
Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:
- Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
- Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
- Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
- Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
- Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
- Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.
Funding Information
- Funding Floor: $750,000
- Funding Ceiling: $1,500,000
- Period of Performance: 2 – 3 years
- Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 4 – 6 months
Eligibility Criteria
- 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.
- 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.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332655