The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a project that supports Angola’s growing civil society and independent media in increasing public awareness and support for anti-corruption and transparency reform.

DRL’s goal is to reduce corruption in Angola. DRL’s objectives are that Angolan civil society and media have the skills, tools, and access to investigate and monitor corruption, and - to support advocacy efforts - civil society and the media use their new abilities to educate and engage the public on ongoing corruption reforms in Angola.

Desired outcomes of this program are for Angolan citizens to have increased understanding of ongoing anti-corruption reforms in-country and how to advocate for those reforms; and for civil society to have increased capacity to safely investigate corruption and conduct advocacy around anti-corruption.

Competitive proposals may also include a summary budget and budget narrative for 12 additional months following the proposed period of performance, indicated above.  This information should indicate what objective(s) and/or activities could be accomplished with additional time and/or funds beyond the proposed period of performance.

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;
• 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.

Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:

• The provision of humanitarian assistance;
• English language instruction;
• Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
• Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
• External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
• Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
• Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
• Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
• Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

Funding Information

• Funding Floor:  $1,300,000
• Funding Ceiling:  $1,300,000
• Anticipated Number of Awards:  1
• Type of Award: Grant
• Period of Performance:  12-18 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/nongovernment 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. 

For more information, visit Grants.gov.