United States Department of State
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL)
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO):
DRL Addressing Anti-corruption in Central Europe

This is the announcement of funding opportunity number SFOP0006463

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:  19.345
Type of Solicitation: Open Solicitation
Application Deadline:  11:59 PM EST on Friday, April 3, 2020
Funding Floor:  $740,740
Funding Ceiling:  $740,740
Anticipated Number of Awards:  1
Type of Award: Grant
Period of Performance:  At least 18 months
Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds:  6-7 months 

A. Project Description

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that counter corruption in Central Europe.

DRL’s goal is to continue building the capacity of local civil society and media to report on local government performance and foster accountability for implementing anti-corruption measures where target countries have international commitments.  Proposals may focus on assisting civil society and media to report on and/or counter corruption in local or regional executive and legislative bodies, especially in social spheres, such as education and health care.  The program should support the education and engagement of citizens and journalists to monitor those sectors and activities where corruption frequently occurs; reporting the results to authorities, media, and the wider public, including appropriate international bodies; and monitoring government responses.  Proposals may include support for constructive engagement between civil society and government stakeholders to: strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, facilitate the implementation of best practices in countering corruption, and urge action in specific cases (if appropriate and feasible). Eligible countries are those that have ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption and have scored 50 or below on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2019. Eligible proposals should include at least two countries; proposed timelines should be at least 18 months.

All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and should have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources.  DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches.  This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.  Programs should seek to include groups that can bring perspectives based on their religion, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, and/or sexual orientation and gender identity.  Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.  DRL requires all programs to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for integration of individuals/organizations regardless of religion, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, and/or sexual orientation and gender identity.

Competitive proposals may also include a summary budget and budget narrative for 18 additional months following the proposed period of performance, indicated above.  This information should indicate what objective(s) and/or activities could be accomplished with additional time and/or funds beyond the proposed period of performance.

Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:

  • Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
  • Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
  • Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
  • Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
  • Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
  • Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.

Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:

  • The provision of humanitarian assistance;
  • English language instruction;
  • Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
  • Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
  • External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
  • Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
  • Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
  • Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
  • Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

source, further information: state.gov