Funding-Limited Submission – U.S. Dept. of State - Democracy, Human
Rights, Rule of Law, and Freedom of Expression/Press for the Europe/Eurasia
Region; October 17, 2011
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
(DRL) announces a Request for Proposals from organizations interested in
submitting proposals for projects that promote democracy, human rights, rule of
law, and freedom of expression/press in Europe and Eurasia.
DRL invites organizations to submit proposals
outlining program concepts and capacity to manage projects targeting the
following issues:
Russia:
Building the Capacity of Media to Increase
Transparency and Counter Corruption (approximately $770,000 available): DRL’s objective is to
strengthen the capacity of civil society and media to advocate against
corruption in the context of the Russian government’s anti-corruption and
transparency initiatives. DRL seeks proposals that build bridges between the
worlds of journalism and anti-corruption advocacy in Russia. Proposals should
expand the capacity of journalists, bloggers, and/or civil society to uncover
and effectively publicize reports of corruption on the local, regional, or
national levels using new and traditional media. Proposals may focus on
countering specific types of corruption or corruption in particular social
spheres, such as politics, religion, education, health care, and law
enforcement. Proposals should include a component focusing on upcoming
elections in March 2012 and building upon lessons learned during the December
2011 elections. In addition, proposals should include a financial
sustainability component to assist participating media outlets, bloggers, etc.,
to improve their long-term viability.
Improving Access to Justice in the North
Caucasus (approximately $550,000 available): DRL’s objective is to impede the cycle
of human rights abuses, violent extremism, and authoritarian responses in the
North Caucasus through support of access to justice. Proposals should be
mindful of how the cycle of repression and violence in the North Caucausus impacts the rights of vulnerable or marginalized
groups, especially women, but also journalists, independent activists, ethnic
and religious minorities, LGBT individuals, and those with disabilities.
Proposals should address one or more of the following themes:
- Expanding
civil society's capacity to facilitate access to justice for citizens;
- Raising
citizens' ability to access legal services;
- Increasing
citizens' knowledge of protections provided by Russian and international law in
regards to human rights;
- Developing
citizens' understanding of the role of universal human rights in an Islamic
context.
Balkans:
Balkans Regional (approximately $500,000
available): DRL’s
objective is to decrease intolerance/discrimination based on identity (e.g.
ethnicity, language, religion, disabilities) among young people in the Balkans,
and to promote cross-border, interethnic understanding and dialogue among youth
in the region and within national boundaries. DRL seeks proposals that enhance
reconciliation and inclusion efforts among various majority and minority
communities affected by recent conflict; and impart the knowledge, skills, and
attitudes necessary for effective and responsible participation in democratic
societies. Activities should promote constructive and inclusive relations among
members of ethnic, religious, linguistic and other marginalized groups.
Proposals must include participants from three or more Balkan countries
(specifically including Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo) and include youths
from a range of ethnic, religious, cultural or other marginalized communities.
Further information can be found at: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=126133
An organization may submit no
more than three (3) proposals (one proposal per theme).
Because the
Department of State only allows an applicant to submit three proposals, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection
process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit
the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for
Research at vpr@email.uky.edu
and a copy to their
Associate Dean for Research by Monday, October 17, 2011:
a) Names and departments of UK Project Director and key personnel
b) Theme selected
c) Project overview – (1-2 pages) brief description of activities
A committee will be appointed to review the information and
make a recommendation. The Dept. of State deadline is October 31,
2011. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette
Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).