[governance] DISCLOSURE REQUEST Re: Funding Available for Strengthening Civil Society...

Sat Nov 9 07:39:53 EST 2013

On Fri, Nov 8, 2013 at 11:24 PM, Norbert Bollow <nb at bollow.ch> wrote:
> Disclosure request to the members of the BestBits Steering
> Committee, to the members of the IRP Steering Committee, and
> to the coordinators of the IGC
>
>
> I view the kind of thing that is described in Sala's posting below,
> when funded by a government with strong geostrategic interests, as
> potentially highly problematic.
>
> Capacity building always and necessarily includes, to some extent at
> least, shaping and directing that capacity.
>
> People whose activities are partly funded through such programmes
> cannot reasonably be expected to be objective in regard to matters that
> could be seen as threatening the funder's geostrategic interests.
>
> For this reason such funding relationships need to be proactively
> disclosed. The situation can then be addressed by means of steps such
> as recusal from discussions that relate to matters that have a clear
> relevance to the funder's geostrategic interests.
>
> Specifically, I hereby request the members of the BestBits steering
> committee, the members of the IRP Steering Committee, and the
> coordinators of the IGC to disclose any direct or indirect financial
> relationship to any "capacity building" or similar kind of project
> where a US government agency is among the funders.

But any other government is ok?

>
>
> For my part, I can say that I don't have any such funding relationship,
> I've never had any such funding relationships, and I have no intention
> of entering into any such funding relationships in the future.
>
> Greetings,
> Norbert
>
>
>
> Sala <salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> For those in Azerbaijan, Moldova and Turkey who are seeking to
>> strengthen civil society there, there is some funding available
>> through the US State Department, see below:
>>
>>
>>
>>  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Request for Proposals:
>> Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Europe and Eurasia
>> (Azerbaijan, Moldova and Turkey)
>>
>> November 8, 2013
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>>  Department of State
>>
>> *Public Notice*
>>
>> *Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Proposals:
>> *Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Europe and Eurasia
>> (Azerbaijan, Moldova and Turkey)
>>
>> *SUMMARY*
>>
>> 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, and rule
>> of law in Europe and Eurasia.
>>
>> *PLEASE NOTE**: DRL strongly urges applicants to access *
>> *www.grantsolutions.gov* <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/>* or *
>> *www.grants.gov* <http://www.grants.gov/>* as soon as possible in
>> order to obtain a username and password to submit your application.
>> For more information, please see DRL’s Proposal Submission
>> Instructions (PSI), updated in November 2012, available at *
>> *http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm*<http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm>*.
>> *
>>
>> *REQUESTED PROPOSAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES*
>>
>> DRL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program
>> concepts and capacity to manage projects targeting one of the
>> following issues:
>>
>> *Moldova*
>>
>> *Minority Empowerment in Moldova (approximately $300,000 available):*
>> DRL's objective is to strengthen the capacity of minorities in
>> Moldova to advocate for and improve their social, economic and
>> political conditions. This program should focus on one of three
>> areas: Civic Engagement, Social Inclusion or Education. Proposals
>> should focus on more than one minority group and may include the
>> Roma, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, Jewish or other communities.
>> Proposals should clearly indicate which of the three categories they
>> will address. DRL also encourages proposals which address more than
>> one of the categories.
>>
>> *Civic Engagement* – Civic Engagement proposals should focus on
>> developing minority civil society capacity to engage at the local and
>> national level to promote equal rights and tolerance. Activities
>> could include, but are not limited to: training minority civic
>> leaders and NGOs to effectively engage in political advocacy and to
>> participate in the decision-making process; providing opportunities
>> for participants to network with other minority leaders both within
>> Moldova and through regional civil society networks; and targeting
>> training for civic leaders and NGOs on advocacy skills, legal rights
>> and enforcement, organizational management, or communication skills.
>>
>> *Social Inclusion* – Social Inclusion proposals should focus on
>> minority acceptance and improving inter-ethnic relations in Moldova.
>> The proposal should promote inter-ethnic communication, tolerance,
>> and understanding through components such as inter-ethnic youth
>> activities or cross-cultural education. The program could raise
>> awareness and knowledge of minority cultures and values. Proposals
>> should involve minority interaction with the majority group in joint
>> activities.
>>
>> *Education* – Education proposals should focus on improving
>> educational outcomes for minorities in Moldova either through
>> activities such as mentorships, after-school programs, summer camps,
>> internship opportunities, or language training. The program should
>> focus on minorities who are disadvantaged in terms of educational
>> opportunities and outcomes.
>>
>> *Turkey*
>>
>> *Connecting Civil Society, Citizens and Government (approximately
>> $500,000 available):* DRL’s objective is to build the voice of civil
>> society in ongoing debates about public policy and increase citizens’
>> awareness that they should be informed about and participate in the
>> political process. The program should support civil society in
>> advocating for stable democratic institutions, the rule of law, and
>> protection of fundamental freedoms; and educate citizens on their
>> right to participate in the political process. The program should
>> build coalitions among diverse civil society groups and NGOs to bring
>> together disparate voices, including traditionally marginalized
>> groups, to advocate for respect for fundamental freedoms and
>> government accountability. Activities should emphasize the value of
>> civil society engagement in public policy debates and encourage these
>> coalitions to educate their constituents and the general populace on
>> fundamental freedoms, and their role in both holding their government
>> accountable and protecting their rights and freedoms. Proposals
>> should take advantage of traditional and new methods of outreach to
>> help citizens share their views and build citizens expectations for
>> political participation. Successful proposals will also demonstrate a
>> strong knowledge of the political environment for civil society in
>> Turkey and an established ability to work with diverse civil society
>> groups.
>>
>> *Azerbaijan*
>>
>> *Civil Society Empowerment in Azerbaijan (approximately $500,000
>> available):* DRL’s objective is to strengthen the role of civil
>> society in enhancing government accountability and respect for
>> fundamental freedoms and rule of law in Azerbaijan. The program will
>> encourage more collaboration among civil society efforts to promote
>> an inclusive, accountable, just and participatory democratic system
>> of government. The program should also support the efforts of civil
>> society in human rights and anti-corruption advocacy, while assisting
>> civil society leaders and NGOs in increased public outreach.
>> Proposals should identify best practices in efforts to promote
>> democratic reforms and rule of law, and assess the needs of
>> independent democracy activists and NGOs. Program activities could
>> include, but are not limited to: technical assistance to build the
>> capacity of Azeri democracy and human rights activists and NGOs in
>> key communities to engage in effective public outreach and advocacy;
>> support for activities to encourage results-oriented, constructive
>> debate and advocacy by citizens and civil society organizations;
>> linking NGOs and activists advocating for justice, accountability
>> and/or fundamental freedoms together within and among Azerbaijan’s
>> regions to enhance their effectiveness. Small-to-medium sized grants
>> to independent NGOs to conduct public outreach and grassroots
>> organizing/advocacy to promote justice, accountability and/or
>> fundamental freedoms would be an essential component of a successful
>> proposal. Successful proposals will also demonstrate a strong
>> knowledge of the environment for civil society in Azerbaijan and an
>> established ability to work with regional independent civil society.
>>
>> *DEADLINE AND TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY*
>>
>> Please refer directly to DRL’s posted Proposal Submission Instructions
>> (PSI), updated in November 2012, available at
>> *http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm*<http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm>
>> .
>>
>> Faxed, couriered, or emailed documents will not be accepted at any
>> time. Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in this
>> document and the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI).
>>
>> To ensure all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the DRL
>> Review Committee will review the first page of the requested section
>> up to the page limit and no further. DRL encourages organizations to
>> use the given space effectively.
>>
>> An organization may submit *no more than three [3] proposals (one per
>> country/theme).* Proposals that combine target countries and/or
>> themes will be deemed technically ineligible. *Proposals that request
>> less than the award floor ($300,000) or more than the award ceiling
>> ($500,000) may be deemed technically ineligible.*
>>
>> Technically eligible submissions are those which: 1) arrive
>> electronically via *www.grantsolutions.gov*
>> <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/> or *www.grants.gov*
>> <http://www.grants.gov/> by *Wednesday, December 18, 2013 *before
>> 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 2) heed all instructions
>> contained in the solicitation document and Proposal Submission
>> Instructions (PSI), including length and completeness of submission;
>> and 3) do not violate any of the guidelines stated in the
>> solicitation and this document.
>>
>> *It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that proposals
>> have been received by **www.grantsolutions.gov*
>> <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/>* or **www.grants.gov*
>> <http://www.grants.gov/> *in their entirety. DRL bears no
>> responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or
>> conversion processes.*
>>
>> Once the Request for Proposals deadline has passed U.S. Department of
>> State staff in Washington and overseas may not discuss competing
>> proposals with applicants until the review process has been completed.
>>
>> *NOTE:* In order to process final awards, approved applicants will
>> need to register with *www.grantsolutions.gov*
>> <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/>.
>>
>> *ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*
>>
>> Programs that leverage resources from funds internal to the
>> organization or other sources, such as public-private partnerships,
>> will be highly considered. Projects that have a strong academic,
>> research, conference, or dialogue focus will not be deemed
>> competitive. DRL strongly discourages health, technology, or science-
>> related projects unless they have an explicit component related to
>> the requested program objectives listed above. Projects that focus on
>> commercial law or economic development will be rated as
>> non-competitive. Cost sharing is strongly encouraged, and cost
>> sharing contributions should be outlined in the proposal budget and
>> budget narrative.
>>
>> DRL will not consider proposals that reflect any type of support, for
>> any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated terrorist
>> organization, whether or not elected members of government.
>>
>> The information in this solicitation is binding and may not be
>> modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
>> provided by the Bureau that contradicts this language will not be
>> binding. Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award
>> commitment on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the
>> right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in accordance
>> with the needs of the program evaluation requirements.
>>
>> This request for proposals will appear on
>> *www.grantosolutions.gov*<http://www.grantosolutions.gov/>or
>> *www.grants.gov* <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/> and DRL’s website,
>> *www.state.gov/j/drl* <http://www.state.gov/j/drl>.
>>
>> *FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
>>
>> Should you have any questions regarding the solicitation, please feel
>> free to contact Erin Spitzer at *SpitzerEM at State.gov*
>> <SpitzerEM at State.gov>. Once the deadline has passed, State Department
>> officials and staff - both in the Bureau and at embassies overseas -
>> may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire
>> proposal review process is completed.
>>
>>
>>  ------------------------------
>>
>> Stay connected with the State Department:
>
>
>
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-- 
Cheers,

McTim
"A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A
route indicates how we get there."  Jon Postel

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