Deadline: 19 January 2017
The USAID-funded Afghan Civic Engagement Program (ACEP), Counterpart International, Inc. (Counterpart) is seeking applications from eligible organizations for “Regional Civic Engagement Grant Program for the South and South East Region”.
ACEP is soliciting applications from eligible Afghan Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to receive Regional Civic Engagement Grant (RCEG) to implement programs that enable Afghan citizens to influence policies, monitor government accountability and serve as advocates for positive social change at the sub-national and national level.
The main objective of the RCEGs is to increase CSOs’ engagement at the regional level in issues of national importance such as advancement of government accountability and transparency, improvement of public servant responsiveness, improving the work place for women, and promoting enforcement of rule of law.
The grants will help enable CSOs to play an interlocutory role between citizens and the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The goal is to support Afghan citizens to improve their capacity to influence local decisions and actions and have a voice in shaping policies at the national level.
Funding Information
- Counterpart International anticipates awarding one (1) Advance Plus Cost Reimbursement grants to Regional Partner for a period of eight (8) months, and for up to AFN 900,000 (Nine Hundred Thousand Afghani) per province.
- The anticipated start date of the Regional Civic Engagement Grants is on or about February 01, 2017.
Program Areas
- Regular Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) Engagement with Government;
- Increased CSO and Media Thematic Expertise in Democracy and Governance;
- Expanded Civic Engagement;
- Improved Access to Independent News and Public Affairs Information, and
- Increased CSO Organizational Capacity
Expected Outcomes
- Capacity of provincial CSOs will be improved in the areas of community mobilization, civic education, facilitating community dialogues, training and advocacy.
- Networking and collaboration among CSOs and other stakeholders focusing on issues affecting the people in the region will be improved at provincial and regional levels.
- Citizens’ engagement in civic activities will be increased in the region.
- Local and national CSO and citizen linkages will be improved.
Eligibility Criteria
Counterpart will accept applications from organizations that meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be an Afghan Civil Society Organization, holding valid registration certificates from the Ministry of Economy and/or the Ministry of Justice, should be formally constituted, recognized by and in good standing with appropriate Government authorities, have its principle place of business in the recipient country, and compliant with all applicable civil and fiscal regulations.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate successful past performance in implementation of mentoring, coaching and training, programs related to ACEP priority areas as described in this RFA.
- Applicants must have established outreach capabilities with linkages to the beneficiary group(s) identified in the program description. This should be reflected by the incorporation of the beneficiary perspective in the application.
- Applicants must display sound management in the form of financial, administrative, and technical policies and procedures and present a system of internal controls that safeguard assets; protect against fraud, waste, and abuse; and support the achievement of program goals and objectives. ACEP will assess this capability prior to awarding a grant.
- Applicants must be located and active in the region they are applying for.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to submit the all documents through email.
Eligible Country: Afghanistan
For more information, please visit USAID Counterpart International.
