[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20038-20039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10051]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4339]


Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Grant 
Proposals: Human Rights and Democratization Initiatives in Central Asia

SUMMARY: The Office for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy of 
the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL/PHD) announces an 
open competition for one or more assistance awards. Organizations may 
submit grant proposals that address programs and activities that foster 
democracy, human rights, press freedoms, women's political development 
and the rule of law in countries with a significant Muslim population 
in Central Asia (to include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, 
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), and where such programs and activities 
would be important to United States efforts to respond to, deter, or 
prevent acts of international terrorism.
    Awards are contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2003 
funds. Approximately $3,000,000 may be available under the Economic 
Support Funds through the Bureau's Human Rights and Democracy Fund 
(HRDF) for projects that address Bureau objectives in predominantly 
Muslim countries in this region. The Bureau anticipates awarding 
between 3-12 grants in amounts of $250,000--$1,000,000.
    Background: The Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF) supports 
innovative, cutting-edge programs which uphold democratic principles, 
support and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, 
and build civil society in countries and regions of the world that are 
geo-strategically important to the U.S. HRDF funds projects that have 
an immediate impact but that have potential for continued funding 
beyond HRDF resources. HRDF projects must not duplicate or simply add 
to efforts by other entities.
    Additional Information: The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and 
Labor has identified the following issues as priorities. While 
competitive proposals must meet basic HRDF criteria, they are not 
restricted to these issues:
    1. Rule of law, with emphasis on support for an independent 
judiciary, legal defense assistance and defense lawyers;
    2. Independent media, with emphasis on comprehensive support 
including ``one-stop'' resource centers to provide legal assistance, 
advocacy, training and direct operational support;
    3. Human rights, especially advocacy training and monitoring and 
reporting on law enforcement abuses; for Uzbekistan, programs designed 
to implement the recommendations contained in the recent report by the 
U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture;
    4. Civil society, including capacity-building of democracy-advocacy 
NGOs that promote government accountability; for Turkmenistan, such 
support could be in the form of extraterritorial activities; for 
Tajikistan, such support could be focused on women's leadership
    5. Elections, with emphasis on support for democratically-oriented 
political parties as well as reform of electoral processes and 
legislation

Project Criteria

    [sbull] Project implementation should begin no earlier than late 
summer 2003.
    [sbull] Projects should not exceed two years in duration. Shorter 
projects with more immediate outcomes may receive preference.
    [sbull] U.S-based or exchange projects are discouraged.
    [sbull] Projects that have a strong academic or research focus will 
not be highly considered. DRL will not fund health, technology, 
environmental, or scientific projects unless they have an explicit 
democracy, human rights, or rule of law component. Conferences likewise 
will not be highly considered.
    [sbull] Projects should include a follow-on plan that extends 
beyond the grant period ensuring that Bureau-supported programs are not 
isolated events.
    In order to avoid the duplication of activities and programs, 
proposals should also indicate knowledge of

[[Page 20039]]

similar projects being conducted in the region and how the submitted 
proposal will complement them.

Applicant/Organization Criteria

    Organizations applying for a grant should meet the following 
criteria:
    [sbull] Be a U.S. public or private non-profit organization meeting 
the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 
501(c)(3). Applicants must submit proof of its non-profit status in the 
application at the time of submission.
    [sbull] Have demonstrated experience administering successful 
projects in the region in which it is proposing to administer a 
project.
    [sbull] Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active 
partnerships with in-country organization(s).

    Note: Organizations are welcome to submit more than one 
proposal, but should know that DRL wishes to reach out to as many 
different organizations as possible with its limited funds.


Budget Guidelines

    Please refer to the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) for 
complete budget guidelines and formatting instructions.

Deadline for Proposals

    All proposals must be received at the Bureau of Democracy, Human 
Rights and Labor by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Wednesday, 
May 21, 2003. Please refer to the PSI for specific delivery 
instructions.

Review Process

    The Bureau will acknowledge receipt of all proposals and will 
review them for eligibility. Proposals will be deemed ineligible if 
they do not fully adhere to the guidelines stated herein and in the 
PSI. Eligible proposals will be subject to compliance with Federal and 
Bureau regulations and guidelines and forwarded to Bureau grant panels 
for advisory review. Proposals may also be reviewed by the Office of 
the Legal Adviser or by other Department elements.

Review Criteria

    Eligible applications will be competitively reviewed according to 
the criteria stated below. Further explanation of these criteria is 
included in the PSI. These criteria are not rank ordered and all carry 
equal weight in the proposal evaluation: quality of the program idea; 
program planning and ability to achieve program objectives; multiplier 
effect/impact; institution's record/ability/capacity; cost-
effectiveness.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office for the Promotion of Human 
Rights and Democracy of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor 
(DRL/PHD). Please specify Cathy Stump 202-647-3322 on all inquiries and 
correspondence.
    Please read the complete Federal Register announcement before 
sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has 
passed, Bureau staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the proposal review process has been completed.

To Download a Solicitation Package Via Internet

    The Solicitation Package includes this RFP plus the Proposal 
Submission Instructions (PSI) which contains detailed award criteria, 
specific budget instructions, and standard guidelines for proposal 
preparation. The entire RFP and PSI may be downloaded from the HRDF 
section on the Bureau's Web site at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/.

Notice

    The terms and conditions published in this RFP are binding and may 
not be modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information 
provided by the Bureau that contradicts published language will not be 
binding. Issuance of the RFP 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 and the availability of funds. Awards made will be subject 
to periodic reporting and evaluation requirements. Final technical 
authority for assistance awards resides with the Office of Acquisition 
Management's Grants Officer.

Notification

    Final awards cannot be made until funds have been appropriated by 
Congress, allocated and committed through internal Bureau procedures.

    Dated: April 17, 2003.
Lorne W. Craner,
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department 
of State.
[FR Doc. 03-10051 Filed 4-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-18-P