The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) is offering a grant for NGO programs benefiting Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

In FY 2011, PRM�s funding priority through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is to equip Afghan refugees with transferrable skills to earn livelihoods upon return to Afghanistan and to support Afghan refugees and their host communities in Pakistan through maternal/child/reproductive healthcare, prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV), primary education services through age 13, and livelihood support to help sustain Afghans who may not be returning to Afghanistan in the near future.

PRM will accept proposals from any NGO working in the above-mentioned sectors, although, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to proposals from organizations that can demonstrate:

– a working relationship with UNHCR, current UNHCR funding, and/or a letter of support from UNHCR for the proposed activities and/or overall country program (this letter should highlight the gap in services the proposed program is designed to address);

– A proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and specified location;

– Evidence of coordination with IOs and other NGOs working in the same area or sector as well as � where possible � local authorities;

– A concrete implementation plan with well-conceived objectives and indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and reliable, time-bound and trackable (SMART), have established baselines, and at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective;

– A budget that is appropriate for meeting the objectives and demonstrates co-funding by non-U.S. government sources;

– Appropriate targeting of beneficiaries in coordination with UNHCR and other relevant organizations. Because of PRM’s mandate to provide protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees and victims of conflict, PRM considers funding only those projects that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50% refugees.

– Adherence to relevant international standards for humanitarian assistance. See PRM�s General NGO Guidelines for a complete list of sector-specific standards.

Country Specific Instructions:

In FY 2011, PRM�s funding priority with NGOs is to provide Afghan refugees with the skills and connections to find jobs in Afghanistan and to support Afghan refugee communities in Pakistan through maternal/child/reproductive healthcare, prevention of and response to GBV, primary education services through age 13, and livelihood support in order to achieve self-reliance in Pakistan if return is not yet possible. Proposals that can demonstrate coordinated activities with the United Nations-Government of Pakistan Refugee Affected and Hosting Area (RAHA) initiative will be given priority consideration by PRM.

The following activities are priority areas for PRM in FY 2011:

a. Provision of or improved access to basic health services, especially comprehensive reproductive health and maternal/child healthcare.
b. Gender equality and protection of women (such as combating GBV, working inclusively with men and boys, economic empowerment and livelihoods for women, etc.) and activities to support extremely vulnerable individuals. All projects should seek to address the particular needs of women and children and indicators should disaggregate by gender and age group.
c. Provision of or improved access to primary education services up to age 13 with coursework to support eventual repatriation/reintegration in Afghanistan (e.g. proficiency in Dari, curriculum coordinated with and educational credentials certified by the Afghan Ministry of Education, etc.) or that will help beneficiaries earn a livelihood in Pakistan.
d. Vocational training in marketable skills and, as necessary, provision of the required tool set for the profession (stand-alone vocational training not linked to income-generating activities will not be considered for funding in FY 2011). Partners should conduct market and income surveys before initiating training/livelihoods activities and should seek to identify skills that would be marketable in either Afghanistan or Pakistan.

In FY 2011, PRM is not seeking expansion of programming, but rather is pursuing transitional strategies for the Afghan refugee population in Pakistan. Given budget constraints, the Bureau will place higher priority on programs that address critical gaps in healthcare and protection over those that provide educational or livelihood support.

Transition Strategy: Proposals must include a thoroughly developed transition strategy that outlines a clear and effective plan for moving project activities and services to local, regional, or national governance structures, to local organizations, or to self-reliance strategies at the end of the current project. Components of the transition strategy may include, inter alia, building the capacity of local, district, and provincial government entities (in coordination with UNHCR) or local NGOs to provide services to Afghans; working with beneficiary communities to develop innovative ways to ensure access to healthcare and other services once PRM support ends; engaging government officials and local organizations in planning for project handover and for a post-2012 protection regime for Afghan beneficiaries; and fostering better relations between Pakistani host communities and Afghan refugees. NGOs may present phased transitional approaches, but all transitional strategies must demonstrate a concrete and significant reduction in services/activities by the end of the project period as well as a clear communication strategy to seek beneficiary input on planned changes in service delivery.

To this end, PRM requests that proposals include an objective and corresponding indicators that specifically measure steps the NGO will take during the next 12 months to phase out services and/or transition management of facilities and services to government or local entities in Pakistan. Proposals must include an effective and practicable exit/transition strategy since follow-on funding is not guaranteed. The transition component of proposals will be scored higher than in previous years.

IOs that are engaged in programs relevant to the assistance addressed by this PRM funding announcement should ensure that these programs are made known to PRM on or before the closing date of this funding announcement so that PRM can evaluate all IO and NGO programs for funding consideration.

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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 Analyst Michelle Monsegur at 202-453-9283(MonsegurM@state.gov) with any questions. Funding opportunity announcements and PRM’s general NGO guidelines are also on PRM’s website.