U.S. Department of State Grant: Strengthening Government through Civil Society Engagement in Costa Rica

The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to strengthen government institutions through civil society engagement.  U.S. Embassy San Jose intends to issue awards in an amount not to exceed $750,000 in total funding, pending availability of funding.  The anticipated start date for this activity is September 30, 2019, and project periods should not exceed two years.  The U.S. Department of State is under no obligation to fund any of the proposals submitted under this funding opportunity. 

This funding will support United States government objectives under the U.S. Strategy for Central America (Strategy), and are accomplished through the promotion of prosperity, enhancement of security, and improvement of governance.  These objectives are also included under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), which is a component of the Strategy.  Within Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), the United States works with partner nations to strengthen institutions to counter the effects of organized crime, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights.  Institution building is coupled with both prevention projects that dissuade at-risk youth from turning to crime and gangs and community policing projects that engage local communities on citizen security issues. 

U.S. Embassy San Jose invites qualified U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or non U.S.-based NGOs, and U.S. and non U.S.-based  public and private institutions of higher education to submit proposals that include an implementation strategy focused on: Strong, Capable and Accountable Governments through Governance, an objective of the U.S. Strategy for Central America.  Proposals should be oriented toward activities by civil society organizations working with governments to improve the delivery of government services, particularly to vulnerable and/or marginalized communities and in areas outside of the Central Valley and within Costa Rica.  These proposals will assist or complement central/local/municipal government efforts to increase and improve services.  Proposals should facilitate citizens’ abilities to hold the government accountable for its responsibilities.