Strengthen Government through Civil Society Engagement

Description

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to strengthen government through civil society engagement. U.S. Embassy San Jose intends to issue five awards in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 in total funding. The anticipated start date for this activity is September 30, 2017, and project periods should not exceed two years. The U.S. Department of State is under no obligation to fund any of the proposals submitted under this funding opportunity. This funding will support United States government objectives under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). Within Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), the United States works with partner nations to strengthen institutions to counter the effects of organized crime, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights. Institution building is coupled with both prevention projects that dissuade at-risk youth from turning to crime and gangs and community policing projects that engage local communities on citizen security issues. U.S. Embassy San Jose invites qualified U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, U.S. and overseas-based public and private institutions of higher education, and public international organizations to submit proposals that include an implementation strategy focused on: (a) Supporting the development of strong, capable and accountable Central American governments; and (b) Central American civil society demanding government accountability without reprisal of their rights and are able to influence policy outcomes. Host-nation governments uphold the values and practices of liberal democracy; citizens hold their governments accountable for these actions. Applicants should address the following objective:Objective: Civil society provides support to improve basic local, municipal, or central government services. Proposals should be oriented toward activities by civil society organizations working to improve, expand or complement the delivery of government services, particularly to vulnerable and/or marginalized communities and in areas outside of the Central Valley in an effort to help create strong, capable, and accountable governments. Examples of potential activities include, but are not limited to, projects intended to improve the provision of government services, and projects that will improve the capacity of government transparency and e-government initiatives. U.S. Embassy San Jose reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted and will determine the resulting level of funding for the award. The authority for this NOFO is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Eligible organizations interested in submitting an application are encouraged to read this NOFO thoroughly to understand the type of project sought and the application submission requirements and evaluation process.For further information, please contact:U.S. Embassy San Jose E-mail SanJoseCarsiESF@state.govTelephone 2519-2483

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