[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 146 (Friday, July 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 46545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19124]



[[Page 46545]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of European Affairs

[Public Notice 3374]


Irish Peace Process, Cultural and Training Program Support

Introduction

    The United States Department of State announces an open competition 
for an assistance award. Nongovernmental organizations may apply to 
establish and manage a program that assists young people from 
disadvantaged areas of designated counties in Ireland and Northern 
Ireland that suffer from sectarian violence and high unemployment to 
enter and work in the United States. Program objectives include 
developing job skills and conflict resolution abilities in a diverse, 
cooperative, peaceful, and prosperous environment. Once these skills 
are achieved, program participants can return home better able to 
contribute toward economic regeneration and domestic tranquility. The 
program shall promote cross-community and cross-border understanding to 
build grassroots support for long-term peaceful coexistence. A 
cooperative agreement will be subject to the availability of funds.

Authority

    Statutory authority for this cooperative agreement is contained in 
the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998, 
Public Law 105-319.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include all nongovernmental institutions, 
private organizations, and commercial entities.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $3 million remain for expenditure from appropriated 
funds. Additional funding may be appropriated for this program prior to 
the expiration of statutory authority in 2005.
    Continuing awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Purpose

    Primary objectives for this program are to develop employment 
skills, impart conflict resolution ability, provide social services 
support for program participants, source jobs in the USA in designated 
sectors, match program participants and employers for visa 
certification, and develop information technology support to promote 
program objectives, track activity, and assist in identifying 
employment opportunities for their return home.

Evaluation Criteria

    Technically eligible applicants will be competitively reviewed 
under 7 criteria. The criteria are: (1) Program planning and the 
ability to achieve objectives; (2) Institutional capacity; (3) Cost 
effectiveness and cost sharing; (4) Ability to objectively evaluate 
program achievements; (5) ``Multiplier effect/impact''--strengthening 
of bilateral and multilateral peace and understanding; (6) Support of 
Diversity; and (7) Cultural sensitivity.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and ten (10) copies of the application (Standard Form 
424) must be submitted to the U.S. Department of State, Mr. William 
Zehnder, A/LM/AQM/IP, State Annex #44, Room M-27, 301 4th Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20547 on or before 1 September 2000. Late applications 
may only be considered at the sole discretion of the U.S. Department of 
State grant award officer.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    A detailed program description and application package may be 
obtained from Mr. William C. Zehnder., U.S. Department of State, A/LM/
AQM/IP, State Annex #44, Room M-27, 301 4th Street SW., Washington, DC 
20547, telephone (202) 619-4385. Please refer to the ``Irish Peace 
Process'' when requesting information or sending an application.

    Dated: July 24, 2000.
Frank J. Kerber,
Country Officer for Ireland and Northern Ireland, U.S. Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 00-19124 Filed 7-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-23-U