LOCAL GRANTS PROGRAM
Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Embassy Chad, Africa Regional Democracy Fund
Funding Opportunity Number: 20 STATE 23556
CFDA Number: 19.700 – General Department of State Assistance
Date Opened: March 13, 2020
Federal Agency Contact Tel: (235) 2251 5017
Email: NdjamenaGrants@state.gov
- Funding Opportunity Description
Please read and follow all instructions carefully.
The Political and Economic Section (POL/ECON) of the U.S. Embassy in Chad is pleased to request proposals for funding under the Africa Regional Democracy Fund program. More information about the Political and Economic Section and its Grants Officer can be found at: NdjamenaGrants@state.gov.
Grants are intended for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil-society organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions. Programming should address one or more of the following objectives:1. Promote accountable, transparent, and responsive governance in Chad2. Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms3. Support democratic processes and promotion of strong democratic norms
Proposals should also be related to one or more of the following U.S. Embassy priorities:
- Chad develops and strengthens democratic institutions and processes, and promotes accountable governance and respect for human rights
- Build capacity within Chad’s electoral system and government institutions to promote transparency and accountability and strengthen democratic processes
- Technical assistance and training facilitate enactment and enforcement of legislation protecting human rights for all residents
Activities that are typically funded target one or more of the following goals:
- Support local civil society entities, including think tanks, academic research, watchdog groups, media associations, journalists, and other civil society actors to advocate for legislative transparency, accountability, and oversight at all levels of government.
- Provide specialized, technical support to support democratic governance, with a particular focus on legislative oversight.
- Support the protection, mitigation, and responses to human rights violations and abuses, in particular human rights violations affecting the most vulnerable, by strengthening human rights frameworks, institutions, and oversight.
- Support to local, and key international, human rights organizations and institutions to promote human rights systems, policies, and protection, with particular focus on women and youth.
- Strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations; and resident, vendor, or other associations through civic education and citizen participation to advocate for democratic rights and norms that advance public involvement in civic life.
- Support local civil society to hold government accountable for free, fair, and credible electoral and political processes.
- Support throughout the electoral cycle, not only the voting process, at the national, regional, or local level. Support could include providing assistance to help increase the percentage of women holding elected and appointed national, regional, and local offices; support for legislative that ensures fair processes; independent journalism on electoral issues; and issue-based political party development with civil society input.
- Support to political processes, such as peace processes and negotiations, which seek long-term democratization and respect for human rights and accountability with a particular focus on empowering women, youth, and marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Activities that are not typically funded include but are not limited to:
- ESF-OCO funds may not be used for any military or paramilitary purposes. These resources also generally may not be used to support police, prisons, or other law enforcement forces or foreign intelligence services.
- Award Information
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Floor of Award Amounts: $100,000
Ceiling of Award Amounts: $400,000
The U.S. Embassy Chad Political and Economic Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as it may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government.
Project and Budget Periods: Local grants projects must be completed in one year or less. The Political and Economic Section will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a noncompetitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the applicants, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Government.
- Eligibility Information: Unrestricted
Applications are encouraged from all sectors: committed and organized civil-society organizations, local representatives of civil society, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. Applicants are encouraged to provide cost sharing from additional sources in support of proposed projects; applications should explain clearly other likely sources of funding or in-kind participation.
- Application Submission and Deadline
Proposals should be submitted via email to the U.S. Embassy Chad Political and Economic Section at the following email address: NdjamenaGrants@state.gov.
Proposals will also be accepted in hard copy and should be delivered to U.S. Embassy in Chad, Political and Economic Section, ATTN: Funding Proposal.
Applications are accepted in English and French; however, final grant agreements will be concluded in English. Please note that we cannot guarantee the return of original documents; copies should be provided, if appropriate.
Applicants must complete and submit a detailed budget.
- Review and Selection Process
Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated using the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria are designed to assess the quality of the proposed project and to determine the likelihood of its success. Applications will be scrutinized for completeness, coherence, clarity, and attention to detail.
Applicants must submit a full project description, including a detailed narrative that outlines the plan of action and describes the scope of the proposed work and how it will be accomplished. The narrative should be accompanied by a detailed budget that includes all program costs and clearly indicates the proposing organization’s cost-share and/or in-kind participation.
Application Evaluation Criteria:
Goals and Objectives – The project is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. The project addresses one or more of the U.S. Embassy Chad Political and Economic Section priorities.
Strengths and Innovation – Applicant clearly describes how they will complete their project within the proposed time frame and articulates an innovative strategy or plan. The project builds civil society leadership and capacity and demonstrates long-term sustainability.
Organizational Capacity – The organization has expertise in one or more of U.S. Embassy Chad Political and Economic Section priorities and experience in performing the proposed activities.
Sustainability – The organization demonstrates a clear plan for sustainable activity or impact of the activity after the grant period of performance.
Budget and Budget Justification – The budget and narrative justification are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results and the plan for services is realistic.
- Award Administration
Award Notices: The grant award shall be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer (GO). The Grants Officer (GO) is the U.S. government official delegated the authority by the U.S. Department of State Procurement Executive to write, award, and administer grants. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified in writing.
Submission Deadline: Proposals are accepted not later than March 26, 2020.
Reporting Requirements: All awards issued under this announcement will require both program and financial reports on a frequency specified in the award agreement. The disbursement of funds may be tied to submission of these reports in a timely manner. All other details related to award administration will be specified in the award agreement.