Department of State DRL Grant for Elections, Political Participation, and Consensus Building in Africa, Near East, and South Asia

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Proposals: Elections, Political Participation and Consensus Building for countries in Africa, the Near East, and South Asia.

SUMMARY
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting proposals for projects that support elections, promote political participation and consensus building for countries in Africa (Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and Uganda), the Near East (Lebanon and Tunisia), and South Asia (Afghanistan).

PLEASE NOTE: DRL strongly urges applicants to access immediately www.grants.gov in order to obtain a username and password. It may take up to a week to register with grants.gov. Please see the section entitled, “DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS” below for specific instructions.

REQUESTED PROPOSAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
DRL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program concepts and capacity to manage projects targeting the following issues:

Africa:

Central African Republic (approximately $750,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to develop and build the capacity of human rights NGOs and to use radio, the most effective medium in the CAR, as a tool to build civil society capacity. Radio should be used to increase sustainable links between citizens, civil society, and elected representatives in an informative and interactive dialogue on issues regarding human rights—including impunity and endemic corruption—as well as democracy and civic participation, including in the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for 2010. This dialogue, the reach of which should extend beyond the capital to other urban centers and rural areas throughout the country, should directly involve and help build the capacity of local human rights NGOs focusing on issues such as impunity, arbitrary arrest and detention, corruption, torture, judicial independence, women’s and children’s rights, press freedom, and electoral integrity. The dialogue should aim to increase citizens’ understanding of human rights and their engagement in the political process, and it should incorporate the participation of elected representatives and other government officials.

Cote d’Ivoire (approximately $750,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to monitor the elections preparations process and the conduct of elections in Cote d’Ivoire, including the training of local election observers.

Togo (approximately $800,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to build the capacity of civil society organizations to participate in the 2010 presidential election process through collaboration with the Electoral Commission on one or more of the following election-related activities: voter registration, election observation, and/or adjudication of post-election disputes. Activities that specifically include a youth component are encouraged. Applicants interested in applying for a grant in Togo must currently be operating in the region and have the ability to immediately initiate program activities upon receipt of funding.

Uganda (approximately $550,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that provide voter civic education in the lead up to and during the 2011 elections.

Near East:

Lebanon (approximately $700,000 available): DRL seeks to fund programs that provide support for media organizations to develop media coverage and monitoring of the 2010 municipal elections and electoral process; public awareness campaigns on citizen rights and responsibilities during the elections; and initiatives that empower youth participation in the elections. DRL welcomes proposals that focus on organizations outside the capital, on youth media groups, and that include training and/or small grants components.

Tunisia (approximately $400,000 available): DRL seeks to fund programs that promote the participation of women in political processes and promote the empowerment of women to become a part of political dialogue by educating them on innovative methods of engagement and participation.

South Asia:

Afghanistan (approximately $600,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that support civic education by local civil society groups in preparation for the 2010 parliamentary and district elections. Applicants are encouraged to work with organizations such as Afghan Women’s Network and Afghan Civil Society Forum.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Proposals should conform to DRL’s posted Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI), available at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/p/c26119.htm. (For this solicitation, applicants must use the Revised PSI dated June 2008.)

An organization may submit no more than three (3) proposals. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of the announcement and PSI may not be considered. Proposals that combine target countries and/or themes may be deemed technically ineligible. Proposals that request less than the award floor or more than the award ceiling will be deemed technically ineligible.