Promoting Democratic Principles in Zimbabwe

Description

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe under the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for creative, sustainable, engaging projects that build support for democratic principles and values. Project proposals must be designed for a post-election time period and can address any facet of supporting democratic principles including advancing human rights, developing a free press, supporting free speech, increasing the engagement of citizens and civil society, raising awareness of disinformation, or other elements required for a strong, resilient democracy. All program proposals must strengthen ties and build relationships between the United States and Zimbabwe and must have a strong, central, American element, or connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) (separate from involvement with the U.S. Mission or its American Corners). This program supports the U.S. Department of State’s Public Diplomacy efforts to renew democracy through defending free speech, inspiring civic activism, and elevating civil society’s ability to influence key decision makers. Theory of Change: By supporting freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of thought, the U.S. Embassy partnering with civil society, academic organizations, and the media will improve accountable, democratic governance in Zimbabwe through an engaged citizenry and respect for fundamental human rights. Program Objectives: All proposals must meet the following objectives: · Enhance the development of Zimbabwe’s democracy through civil society, the media, academic organizations, and communities to support democratic sustainability and civic participation. · Strengthen collaboration and build networks between Zimbabwe and U.S. civil society, press, and advocacy organizations with an emphasis on long-term relationships and sustainability. Proposals could include the following or address other democratic principles: · Develop an engaged citizenry that participates in civic life and defends human rights. · Support for entrepreneurial journalism or other business sustainability for the media. · Advocacy for legal and policy reforms that promote and protect human rights. · Building coalitions of civil society actors to support democratic principles. · Raise awareness on and counter disinformation and misinformation. · Dialogue and engagement to renew discussions on and considerations for law reforms supporting democratic principles. · Professionalization of media, civil society, and academia to engage the government on democracy resilience and promotion. For program proposals that include elements of in-person travel between Zimbabwe and the United States travel should include flexibility in planning to adjust given the constantly evolving global and local restrictions related to COVID-19. Participants and Audiences: Proposals can target media stakeholders, civil society, women, youth, policy makers, opinion leaders, underserved populations, or other clearly defined sectors. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 6-18 months Number of awards anticipated: 2-3 awards Anticipated program start date: July 2023 Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Award Amount or Cooperative Agreement THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 1. To Request Application Package: Email PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov; an automatic reply with the application forms will be sent. Forms are also available at www.grants.gov 2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Content of Application – the proposal should: · Clearly serve the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity; · Be specific and concise in describing the who, what, why, when, where, how and cost aspects of the project; · Provide all documents in English; and · Include a budget narrative and a budget table in U.S. dollars breaking down costs per unit rates, quantities as well as totals. Application Forms required: · Completed application (form attached) · Detailed projected budget (form attached) · SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – Organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance – Individuals) · SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs) · SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) Attachments · Letters of support from program partners describing the roles and responsibilities of each partner · If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, your latest NICRA should be included as a PDF file. If you do not have a NICRA, indirect and overhead costs can’t be over 10% of the budget. · Official permission letters, if required for program activities. 3. Required Registrations: All organizations (not individuals) applying for grants must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge: · www.SAM.gov registration which will generate a unique entity identifier (UEI) · NCAGE/CAGE code 4. Submission Dates and Times PD Harare will accept proposals starting November 1, 2022. All applicants should submit their proposals prior to January 31, 2023 for consideration. 5. Other Submission Requirements All application materials may be emailed to PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov (with “Democratic Principles Grant Proposal” in the subject line). FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION Review and Selection Process Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis by the Public Diplomacy Grants Committee on the technical and substantive criteria above, depending on availability of funds. Organizations whose applications are not selected for funding will be notified via email no later than September 30, 2023. All qualified proposals will remain on file for up to 12 months for the committee for consideration at any time, if funds become available. If you wish to receive an update on the status of your proposal, please email PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov with the Subject line: “Request for Update on my Submitted Proposal [Title/Date of submission].” F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 1. Federal Award Notices The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses on, not before, the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer. If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State. Issuance of this Funding Opportunity announcement does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. government, nor does it commit the U.S. government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. Further, the U.S. government reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received. Payment Method: Payments will be made via electronic funds transfer. 2. Administrative and U.S. National Policy Requirements Terms and Conditions: Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply. These include: · 2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 600, Certifications and Assurances, and the Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions, all of which are available at: https://www.state.gov/m/a/ope/index.htm. · Note the U.S. Flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions. 3. Reporting Requirements Recipients will be required to submit financial reports and program reports. Reports will include an accounting for expenditure of amounts already received before the next tranche of funds can be released. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PD Harare at PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov . Note: Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.

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