U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. EMBASSY CHAD
Funding Opportunity Title: U.S. Embassy Chad, Africa Regional Democracy Fund
CFDA Number: 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs for Chad
Date Opened: March 1, 2021
Deadline for Applications: March 28, 2021
Total Amount Available: Up to $400,000
Email: NdjamenaGrants@state.gov
Funding Opportunity Description
Background Information: The Political and Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy in Chad is pleased to solicit project proposals under the Department of State’s Africa Regional Democracy Fund (ARDF) grants program, which provides limited foreign assistance resources to support programming that strengthens democratic institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. Please read and follow all instructions carefully. Please direct questions by email to the Grants Office at: NdjamenaGrants@state.gov.
Purpose: ARDF grants support projects that address one or more of the following objectives:
- Promote Accountable, Transparent, and Responsive Governance
- 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 assistance to support democratic governance, with a particular focus on legislative functions.
- Promote Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
- Support protection from, mitigation of, 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 local and international human rights organizations and institutions to promote human rights systems, policies, and protection, with a 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 human rights and democratic norms that advance public involvement in civic life.
- Support Democratic Processes and Promotion of Strong Democratic Norms
- Support local civil society to hold government accountable for free and fair, credible electoral and political processes.
- Support throughout the electoral cycle, not only the voting process, at the national or subnational level. Support could include providing assistance to help increase the percentage of women holding elected and appointed national, regional, and local offices; support for legislation 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.
Restrictions: ARDF 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 United States government. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee selection or imply any financial obligation from 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 United States 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
Submission Deadline: Proposals are accepted no later than March 28, 2021.Proposals should be submitted via email to the U.S. Embassy in 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: Political and Economic Section, ATTN: Funding Proposal, U.S. Embassy in Chad.
Applications are accepted in English and French; however, and 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.
Review and Selection Process
Each application submitted under this announcement will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. Applications will be reviewed on the basis of their completeness, coherence, clarity, and attention to detail. Applicants must submit a full project description, including a detailed narrative that outlines the plan of action, describing 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 and the organization. The project addresses one or more of the ARDF objectives outlined previously.Strengths and Innovation – Applicant clearly describes how its proposal will address the requested program within the proposed time frame and articulates an innovative strategy or plan. The project builds civil society leadership and capacity and demonstrates sustainable capacity building.
Organizational Capacity – The organization has expertise in one or more of ARDF objectives and demonstrates the ability to perform 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.
Application Selection Procedure:
The Political and Economic Section will review all project submissions and select those that best meet ARDF objectives and the evaluation criteria listed above. All selected proposals must receive further approval by the Department of State. This process may take several months. Organizations whose applications will not be funded will be notified in writing.
Award Administration
Award Notices: The grants award will be administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient.
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.