Notice of Funding Opportunity: Promoting an Inclusive West Africa (PIWA)

DRL seeks proposals for programming that are ambitious but also targeted and achievable. DRL will consider proposals that address the goal reflected above but include different, though similar and related, objectives. While proposals may include additional objectives, inclusion of additional objectives will not make a proposal more competitive.

• Objective 1: ​Government policies and programs address the needs and vulnerabilities of marginalized ethnic groups.
  • Government policies and programs—for example those related to land and property ownership and access to education, healthcare, and employment—typically overlook the needs of certain ethnic groups and can lead to their further marginalization in society. Part of this is due to a general stigmatization of and an undervaluing of the societal contributions made by certain groups. While the constitutions of Benin, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity or religion, certain ethnicities are treated as subordinate, which increases their exposure to social stigmatization, exclusionary practices, and violence.
  • Approaches to reach this objective could include but are not limited to:
    • Building advocacy networks and/or coalitions;
    • Advocacy by civil society to protect the rights of marginalized ethnic groups;
    • Awareness raising on the rights of all peoples;
    • Outreach to marginalized ethnic groups to increase understanding of needs;
    • Identifying shared reform priorities among citizens, civil society, government, and religious and traditional leaders, and other stakeholders;
• Objective 2: Members of marginalized ethnic groups occupy more decision-making roles in Coastal West Africa to increase likelihood that government policies and programs protect their human rights.
  • There are few opportunities for members of marginalized ethnic groups to take up positions of influence in government and politics across Coastal West Africa.  Without adequate representation in positions of influence, government policies and programs are less likely to meet the needs of all citizens regardless of their ethnicity. Some countries in the region have attempted and recognize the need to increase the ethnic diversity of members that make up government bodies charged with overseeing the implementation of land policies, for example.
  • To address these challenges, activities proposed under this objective could include but are not limited to:
    • Outreach to aspiring leaders representing marginalized ethnic groups;
    • Mapping of gaps in and avenues for representation of marginalized ethnic groups;
    • Building leadership skills; and
    • Collaboration with government agencies, political leaders, and other influential groups to increase buy-in and allies supporting for greater representation of marginalized ethnic groups in government, politics, and structures of influence.

DRL requires all programs to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for nondiscrimination of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.

Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:

• Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
• Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
• Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
• Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
• Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities; and
• Systematic follow-up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.

Funding Information

• Total Funding Floor: $1,250,000
• Total Funding Ceiling: $1,250,000
• Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
• Period of Performance: 16-24 months
• Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 3-6 months

Eligible Applicants

• DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.  DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process.  Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards.  Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs.

For more information, visit Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).