NOFO: Upholding Democracy, Empowering Civil Society in Croatia

Objectives

• Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb aims to support projects focused on increasing the capacity and resilience of civil society and advancing rule of law and transparency in Croatia. These projects should address the following areas:
  • Monitoring and Advocacy: Assessing progress in democracy and transparency efforts, advocating for policy reforms, and increasing the capacity and resilience of civil society to counter anti-democratic trends.
  • Capacity Building: Enhancing the capacity and resilience of civil society organizations to counter anti-democratic trends, conduct advocacy and research, and serve as effective watchdogs.
  • Judicial Training and Reform: Providing specialized training for judges, prosecutors, and investigators to improve adjudication of human rights cases, enhance judicial independence, and strengthen the rule of law. Improving the capacity, accountability and independence of judges, prosecutors, investigators, oversight institutions and lawyers.
  • Government Transparency: Increasing transparency in government operations, particularly in public procurement processes, and ensuring that information is freely available and accessible to the public.
  • Empowering Citizens and Improving Access to Justice: Enhancing citizen participation in democracy and governance processes, strengthening whistleblower protections to encourage reporting of corruption and wrongdoing, and improving access to justice for all citizens, particularly marginalized communities. Raising public awareness about corruption.
• Applicants must clearly define their project goals and outcomes, set measurable project objectives, rationalize their methodology, and identify specific performance metrics. They are strongly encouraged to formulate sustainable, impactful projects aligning with their organizations’ long-term goals, incorporating a robust public communication strategy. Proposals should address potential implementation challenges and detail strategies for risk mitigation. Eligible projects and applicants must maintain political neutrality, refraining from affiliations or endorsements of any political entities.

Funding Information

• Length of performance period: Any length of time up to a 24 months.
• Number of awards anticipated: Up to 10 awards (dependent on amounts)
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $150,000
• Total available funding: $500,000

Ineligible Projects

• Projects involving partisan political activity.
• Projects involving charitable activities and/or the distribution of humanitarian aid.
• Projects involving a fundraising campaign.
• Projects that are commercial in nature (for example, projects from which the applicant or a partner derives money, or which supports a current or future business or entrepreneurial venture).
• Projects involving the provision of health care or services, childcare, food subsidies, or other social services.
• Projects funding individual travel outside of Croatia for consultations or conferences.
• Award funds cannot be used for construction, vehicle purchases, and similar investment costs, or to purchase alcoholic beverages.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations based in Croatia.
  • Public and private educational institutions based in Croatia.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Croatia.