[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48985-48987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20937]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4445]


Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Grant 
Proposals: Human Rights and Democratization Initiatives in the Western 
Hemisphere

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 assistance awards. Organizations may submit grant

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proposals that address programs and activities that foster democracy, 
human rights, press freedoms, and the rule of law in the Western 
Hemisphere.
    Awards are contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2003 
funds. The Bureau anticipates awarding between 2-4 grants in amounts of 
$250,000-$500,000.

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 and countries as priorities.
    1. Support to civil society and democratic institutions, including 
advocacy groups for human rights and the protection of vulnerable 
populations. (Priority Countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, 
Guatemala, Haiti, Peru, Venezuela)
    2. Promotion of an unrestricted, unbiased and responsible press and 
protection of freedom of the press, especially in regard to use of 
threats, intimidation and defamation suits to control the media and 
stifle investigations into official corruption, incompetence and abuse. 
Support to enhance public awareness of human rights issues and broaden 
civic education, including identification of and debate on democratic 
values and processes through print, radio, television and the Internet. 
(Priority Countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Venezuela)
    3. Promotion of labor rights and protections, particularly in 
connection with trade agreements, and especially in non-democratic or 
transitional regimes and countries suffering from civil conflict. 
(Priority Countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Venezuela)
    4. Reconciliation, including support for human rights 
investigations of abuses during military dictatorship and other non-
democratic governments. (Priority Countries: Argentina, Guatemala, 
Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela)
    5. Political party building, including support to democratic 
institutions and promotion of minority and indigenous population 
inclusion and representation in political processes. (Priority 
Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela)

Project Criteria

    [sbull] Project implementation should begin no earlier than March 
2004.
    [sbull] Projects should not exceed two years in duration. Shorter 
projects with more immediate outcomes may receive preference.
    [sbull] Project activity should take place abroad. U.S-based or 
exchange projects are strongly 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 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. 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, 
September 17, 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

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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: August 11, 2003.
Lorne W. Craner,
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department 
of State.
[FR Doc. 03-20937 Filed 8-14-03; 8:45 am]
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