PRM Grant for NGO Projects Supporting Sri Lankan Refugees in India

Proposed activities should primarily support Sri Lankan refugees in India.

Proposals must focus on the following sectors: Protection, Shelter and Infrastructure, Water and Sanitation, and/or Livelihoods.

Priority will be given to proposals from organizations that can demonstrate: (1) a working relationship with UNHCR and UNHCR funding and/or support for the proposed activities and/or overall country program; (2) a proven track record in providing proposed assistance to Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu, India; (3) evidence of coordination with development organizations and a well-developed transition strategy, and (4) appropriate targeting of beneficiaries in coordination with UNHCR and other relevant organizations.

The following activities are priority areas for PRM in FY2010.

• Protection. Priority protection activities include provision of reception services to incoming refugees and may respond to the needs of the nearly 30,000 stateless refugees who are eligible to regain their Sri Lankan citizenship per the Government of Sri Lanka’s 2009 amendment to the Grant of Citizenship to Stateless Persons Act. Organizations also are encouraged to include a component addressing prevention of and/or response to GBV as part of their assistance programming.

• Shelter and Infrastructure. Projects addressing shelter needs should comply with Sphere standards and be planned and undertaken with the involvement of beneficiary populations and local governments. Appropriate consideration should be given to norms and conditions in surrounding Indian communities.

• Water and Sanitation. Water and sanitation remains a priority. Projects addressing wat/san should comply with Sphere standards.

• Livelihoods. Projects may include a livelihoods support component; however, standalone vocational training not linked to income generating activities will not be considered for funding in FY 2010. Micro-credit projects for small enterprises have been successful in Tamil Nadu and may be appropriate within refugee communities.

For more details on this specific opportunity, please click the “Full Announcement” Grants.gov link. For PRM’s general NGO guidelines, please go to the Funding Opportunities page of PRM’s website: http://www.state.gov/g/prm/c27111.htm. After you’ve read both documents, please contact Program Officer Rebecca T. Kinsey at 202-663-1950 (kinseyrt@state.gov) with any questions. Funding opportunity announcements and PRM’s general NGO guidelines are also on PRM’s website.