Deadline: 12-Jun-23
The U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section in Colombo is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement that meets the specifications stated from legally recognized non-profit, non-governmental organizations registered in Sri Lanka that meet U.S. and Sri Lankan technical and legal requirements to develop and implement public diplomacy program.
Through this NOFO, PDS would like to work with a local primary partner to extend their reach to organizations across the nation and accept applications for grant proposals under $15,000 in English, Sinhala, and Tamil. Working via a cooperative agreement, the primary award would go to a local NGO who will be the local primary partner with reach into all communities across the island. Under this project, a partnership will be formed between the local primary partner and PAS Colombo to select qualified local implementing partners. The local primary partner will administer and implement the grants working together with local implementing partners, with reporting and monitoring requirements according to the grant regulations.
Program Goals
- Through the Small & Mighty program, they wish to extend their reach to new local primary and secondary implementing partners. The program goals of this funding opportunity are provided:
- 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: $80,000
- Maximum (“Ceiling”) Award Amount: $ 250,000
- Number of Awards Anticipated: More than five sub-awards per awarding cycle
- Anticipated Performance Period: 06 months to 12 months
- Anticipated Program Start Date: September 10, 2023
- Anticipated Funding Instrument: Cooperative Agreement.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is open to all non-profit, non-governmental organizations in Sri Lanka. U.S. Universities, Sri Lankan Government entities, and 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.
- Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.
- Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.
- This award does not allow for construction activities or costs.
- Embassy Colombo Cooperative agreements cannot be used to fund religious or partisan political activity; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization, or illegal activities.
Program Requirements
- Based on funding availability, this program will provide opportunities to smaller organizations and individuals who may not have the infrastructure to compete in the U.S. Embassy’s formal NOFO process. These organizations and individuals should have the capacity to lead and develop programs aligning with their mission goals: promoting peace, democracy, reconciliation and human rights, promoting economic empowerment, good governance and rule of law, and promoting Sri Lanka as a free, open and secure partner. The local primary partner, as the primary recipient of this award, will have the capacity to assist and offer financial and program planning skills to these organizations and individuals who will submit proposals and budgets in a simplified format in English, Sinhala and Tamil.
- The local primary partner will solicit and accept applications six times per year and vote on applications every two months in conjunctions with PDS. PDS reserves the right to screen all submissions and have substantial involvement and final say and approval on any grant application. The local primary partner will monitor the progress and success of the program with regular quarterly reporting to PDS.
- 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 PDS 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. They are seeking an established local primary partner in a cooperative agreement 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 PDS 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 2023.
- Announce “Small & Mighty” to public in September 2023 with call for proposals by October 2023 (providing sufficient time for funds transfers to local primary partner), and
- Issue first awards funded by November of 2023.
For more information, visit Small & Mighty Grants Program.