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

Sat Nov 9 07:56:36 EST 2013

And what sort of Government funding? Ministry? Regulator? Government funded 
NGO (quango / gongo)? Multistakeholder group that includes government 
stakeholders?

And as mctim asks, why specifically the usa instead of, say, Germany, or 
Burkina Faso for that matter?

--srs (htc one x)

On 9 November 2013 6:09:53 PM McTim <dogwallah at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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