Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Proposals: Human Rights and Civil Society Initiatives in Cuba

Post Date

September 8th 2008

Application Due Date

October 6th 2008

Funding Opportunity Number

DRL-08-CUBA-RFP-090808

CFDA Number(s)

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Grant

Funding Activity Categories

Other

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting proposals to support democratic civil society and human rights in Cuba. Approximately $4.45 million is available.

Eligibility Categories

Non-Profits With 501 (c) (3) Status With The IRS (Except Higher Education Institutions)
Private Institutions of Higher Education
Other

* Be a U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3), or a comparable organization headquartered internationally; or * Be a U.S. university or research institution meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3); and * Have demonstrated experience administering successful projects, preferably targeting the requested country and/or region, or similarly challenging program environment. DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis; and * Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with organization(s) in the target country and/or region. * Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $4450000

• Award Range:

  $250000 - $1000000

Grant Description

DRL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program concepts and capacity to manage projects in Cuba. U.S. assistance to Cuba seeks to accompany and support Cubans on the island as they articulate and pursue their vision for their own future. Priority will be placed on proposals that take a holistic, complete approach to build and professionalize Cuban civil society. Proposed projects should strengthen independent Cuban civil society’s ability to: Connect with one another, for example by forming networks or coalitions, sharing information, and building trust; Define problems and issues of common interest, and develop a shared vision of positive change for the future; Conduct outreach, especially to the provinces, using creative and engaging means to articulate that vision/goals to the broader Cuban public; Recruit further support and action among the Cuban public toward those goals; Carry out civil society activities designed to advance those goals/vision; Disseminate information about civil society activities back to the Cuban public; Collect information/opinions from the Cuban public about the direction and activities of independent civil society; and/or Adjust civil society goals and actions based on such information. Proposals that involve ongoing mentoring and coaching of civil society are encouraged.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of State

• Office:

  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

• Agency Contact:

  Teresa Fralish
  Program Officer
  Phone 202/261-8107

• Agency Mailing Address:

  FralishTM@state.gov

• Agency Email Address:

  FralishTM@state.gov

• More Information:

  DRL Website