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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21061-21063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9800]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3293]

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Program Title: Small 
Grants Competition; Grassroots Citizen Participation in Democracy; 
Request for Proposals

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, announces a small 
grants competition on Citizen Participation in Democracy. U.S. public 
and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described 
in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may submit proposals to develop 
exchanges and training programs in the below mentioned countries of 
Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East or Latin America (countries listed 
under guidelines.)

Program Information

Overview

    The Office of Citizen Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, announces an FY2000 small 
grants competition for local community-based organizations interested 
in internationalizing their educational, professional and cultural 
efforts or gaining support for ongoing international exchange programs. 
This competition is aimed at local-level grassroots organizations that 
have not received prior funding directly from the Bureau. Creative and 
innovative ideas are sought.
    One goal of this initiative is to encourage smaller organizations 
or local units of national groups to expand the scope of their work by 
building linkages with counterparts in certain other countries. This 
may be accomplished by providing professional experience and exposure 
to American life and culture through internships, workshops and other 
learning-sharing experiences hosted by local institutions and home 
stays with members of the community. The experiences also will provide 
Americans the opportunity to learn about different cultures. Travel 
under these grants may constitute a two-way exchange or provide only 
for foreigners to visit the United States. The program is not academic 
in nature; it is designed to provide practical, hands-on experience in 
U.S. public/private sector settings that may be adapted to an 
individual's institution upon return home. Proposals may combine 
elements of professional enrichment, job shadowing and internships 
appropriate to the language ability and interests of the participants.
    Exchanges and training programs supported by the institutional 
grants from the Bureau should operate at two levels: they should 
enhance partnerships, and they should offer practical information to 
individuals and groups to assist them with their professional and 
volunteer responsibilities. Viable proposals usually have the following 
characteristics:
     A strong existing partnership between a U.S. organization 
and an in-country institution;
     A proven track record of working in the proposed issue 
area;
     Cost-sharing from U.S. and/or in-country sources, 
including donations of air fares, hotel and/or housing costs, ground 
transportation, interpreters, etc.;
     Experienced staff with language facility; a clear, 
convincing plan showing how long-term results will be accomplished as a 
result of the activity funded by the grant;
     A follow-on plan beyond the scope of the Bureau grant.
    The Bureau wants to see tangible forms of time and money 
contributed to the project by the prospective grantee institution, as 
well as funding from third party sources. If proposals received are of 
equal strength, preference will go to those with higher cost-sharing.
    Exchanges should be two-to-three weeks in length. It is anticipated 
that programs will be conducted between September 2000 and August 2001. 
Successful projects will enhance the participants' skills in 
leadership, participatory democracy, NGO development, and open the 
potential for longer-term partnerships.
    Applicants should identify the local organizations and individuals 
in the counterpart country with whom they are proposing to collaborate 
and describe in detail previous cooperative programming and/or 
contacts. Specific information about the counterpart organizations' 
activities and accomplishments is required and should be included in 
the section on Institutional Capacity.
    This year the small grants competition will be focused on one over-
all theme of Grassroots Citizen Participation in Democracy. Under this 
theme, consideration will be given to related priority topics. 
Suggestions are listed below.

Grassroots Citizen Participation in Democracy

    Democracy takes root and flourishes where there is grass-roots 
participation in decision-making and citizen participation is valued 
and practiced. Since most civic activities are concerned with 
community-based issues that directly affect individuals' lives, local 
issues and institutions should be the focus of the exchange program. 
Single-country activities should be built around a specific theme or 
target audience. Target audiences may include, but are not limited to: 
women in business, NGO leaders, professional women, special interest 
groups (i.e. ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, economically 
disadvantaged persons). The Bureau is looking for programs that will 
result in the creation of a sustainable professional association or 
coalition with activities continuing after the grant period.

Priority Topics

    Strengthening Grassroots Democracy: Training NGO leadership and 
addressing organizational governance issues; building coalitions; 
networking; lobbying elected officials; media strategies; fund raising; 
volunteerism; addressing civic values; NGO roles in mediating conflict 
in the community.
    Equal Treatment of Women Under the Law: Educating women about 
existing anti-discriminatory laws, including domestic violence 
legislation; understanding legal rights and options; addressing 
attitudes of the judiciary; building community support to combat 
violence against women, including trafficking in Women and children.
    Women and Political Leadership: running for elective office and/or 
managing electoral campaigns; developing a media strategy; public 
speaking/communication skills; meeting challenges and responsibilities 
of public office once elected.
    Local Governance: strengthening local governments and making them 
more responsive to local needs; local

[[Page 21062]]

government administration, including budget development, financial 
management; tax policies and mechanisms; election practices; management 
of municipal services; committee and staff structures; drafting of 
legislation and relationships with regional and national governments.

Guidelines

    All projects should focus on one country, promote local community 
contacts with that country and address one or more of the priority 
topics described above. Since most civic activities are concerned with 
community-based issues that directly affect individuals? lives, local 
issues and institutions should be the focus of proposed exchange 
programs. Target audiences may include, but are not limited to: NGO 
leaders, women in business, professional women, special interest groups 
(i.e. ethnic minorities, those with disabilities or economically 
disadvantaged). Applicants should carefully note the following 
restrictions for proposals in these specific geographic areas:

Africa

    Only proposals for Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and 
Zambia will be considered. Contact for African programs: Orna Blum, 
202/260-2754; E-Mail {[email protected]}

Middle East

    Only proposals for Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates 
and Yemen will be considered. Contact for Middle East programs: Tom 
Johnston, 202/619-5325; E-Mail {[email protected]}

Latin America

    Only proposals for Colombia, Venezuela and Chile will be 
considered.
    Contact for Latin American programs: Laverne Johnson, 202/619-5337; 
E-Mail {[email protected]}

Budget Guidelines

    The grant-making process will be specifically streamlined to 
accommodate first-time applicants. Priority will be given to grant 
proposals with budgets ranging from $15,000 to $40,000. No proposal 
above $50,000 will be eligible. Contingent on budget uncertainties, 
approximately, two hundred and fifty-thousand dollars has been allotted 
for this competition. Awards will be announced around August 1, 2000.
    Allowable costs include the following:
    (1) Program Expenses.
    (2) Administrative Expenses including indirect costs.
    Please refer to the Solicitation Package for complete budget 
guidelines and formatting instructions.
    Announcement Title and Number: All correspondence with the Bureau 
concerning this RFP should reference the above title and number ECA/PE/
C-00-47.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Office of Citizen Exchanges, ECA/
PE/C, Room 224, U.S. Department of State, 301 4th Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20547, telephone number 202/619-5348 and fax number 
202/260-0440 , Internet address to request a Solicitation Package (see 
above regional contacts). The Solicitation Package contains detailed 
award criteria, required application forms, specific budget 
instructions, and standard guidelines for proposal preparation. Please 
specify Bureau Program Officer listed above on all other 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 entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from the Bureau's 
website at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/rfps. Please read all 
information before downloading.

Deadline for Proposals

    All proposal copies must be received at the Bureau of Educational 
and Cultural Affairs by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday, June 2, 
2000. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents 
postmarked the due date but received on a later date will not be 
accepted. Each applicant must ensure that the proposals are received by 
the above deadline.
    Applicants must follow all instructions in the Solicitation 
Package. The original and ten copies of the application should be sent 
to: U.S. Department of State, SA-44, Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs, Ref.: ECA/PE/C-00-47, Program Management, ECA/EX/PM, Room 336, 
301 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20547.
    Applicants must also submit the ``Executive Summary'' and 
``Proposal Narrative'' sections of the proposal on a 3.5'' diskette, 
formatted for DOS. These documents must be provided in ASCII text (DOS) 
format with a maximum line length of 65 characters. The Bureau will 
transmit these files electronically to the Public Affairs section at 
the US Embassy for its review, with the goal of reducing the time it 
takes to get embassy comments for the Bureau's grants review process.

Diversity, Freedom and Democracy Guidelines

    Pursuant to the Bureau's authorizing legislation, programs must 
maintain a non-political character and should be balanced and 
representative of the diversity of American political, social, and 
cultural life. ``Diversity'' should be interpreted in the broadest 
sense and encompass differences including, but not limited to 
ethnicity, race, gender, religion, geographic location, socio-economic 
status, and physical challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to 
adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program 
administration and in program content. Please refer to the review 
criteria under the 'Support for Diversity' section for specific 
suggestions on incorporating diversity into the total proposal. Public 
Law 104-319 provides that ``in carrying out programs of educational and 
cultural exchange in countries whose people do not fully enjoy freedom 
and democracy,'' the Bureau ``shall take appropriate steps to provide 
opportunities for participation in such programs to human rights and 
democracy leaders of such countries.'' Proposals should reflect 
advancement of this goal in their program contents, to the full extent 
deemed feasible.

Year 2000 Compliance Requirement (Y2K Requirement)

    The Year 2000 (Y2K) issue is a broad operational and accounting 
problem that could potentially prohibit organizations from processing 
information in accordance with Federal management and program specific 
requirements including data exchange with the Bureau. The inability to 
process information in accordance with Federal requirements could 
result in grantees' being required to return funds that have not been 
accounted for properly.
    The Bureau therefore requires all organizations use Y2K compliant 
systems including hardware, software, and firmware. Systems must 
accurately process data and dates (calculating, comparing and 
sequencing) both before and after the beginning of the year 2000 and 
correctly adjust for leap years.
    Additional information addressing the Y2K issue may be found at the 
General Services Administration's Office of Information Technology 
website at http://www.itpolicy.gsa.gov.

[[Page 21063]]

Review Process

    In support of first-time applicants, the grant proposal, budget and 
review process has been modified for this competition. The proposal 
narrative should not exceed six pages double-spaced and be developed 
around the review criteria below. Budget should be contained on one 
page. Please follow the enclosed Request for Proposal(RFP) Proposal 
Submission Instructions(PSI). Proposals will be reviewed in two tiers. 
First, all proposals will be read and reviewed by a qualified staff 
team from the Office of Citizen Exchanges and the respective Department 
of State regional bureaus. Second, the most competitive will be 
forwarded to embassies overseas and to panels of Bureau-wide State 
Department officers for formal advisory review. Non-finalists will be 
advised at this point in the process. Final funding decisions will be 
made at the discretion of the Under Secretary of State for Public 
Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Final technical authority for assistance 
awards (grants or cooperative agreements) resides with the Citizen 
Exchanges Grants Officer.

Review Criteria

    Technically eligible applications will be competitively reviewed 
according to the criteria stated below. These criteria are not rank 
ordered and all carry equal weight in the proposal evaluation:
    1. Quality of program idea and ability to achieve objectives: 
Program objectives should be clearly and precisely stated. Applications 
should respond to priorities in this announcement and articulate the 
organization's ability to successfully carry out objectives. Staff and 
participant responsibilities and timetable should be clearly 
designated.
    2. Cost effectiveness and Cost sharing: Administrative costs should 
be kept low. Proposals should maximize cost-sharing through support and 
in-kind contributions.
    3. Monitoring/Reporting: Proposals should provide a brief plan for 
submitting written reports midway through the program and at the end. 
Reports should include accomplishments, problems encountered, and 
impact on American and overseas communities.
    4. Support of Diversity: Proposals should demonstrate substantive 
support of the Bureau's policy on diversity. Achievable and relevant 
features should be cited in both program administration (selection of 
participants, program venue and program evaluation) and program content 
(orientation and wrap-up sessions, program meetings, resource materials 
and follow-up activities).
    5. Project Evaluation: Proposals should include a plan to evaluate 
the activity's success, both as the activities unfold and at the end of 
the program. A draft survey questionannaire or other technique plus 
description of a methodology to use to link outcomes to original 
project objectives is recommended. Successful applicants will be 
expected to submit intermediate reports after each project component is 
concluded or quarterly, whichever is less frequent.

Authority

    Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the 
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87-
256, as amended, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of 
the Act is ``to enable the Government of the United States to increase 
mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the 
people of other countries* * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us 
with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural 
interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United 
States and other nations...and thus to assist in the development of 
friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States 
and the other countries of the world.'' The funding authority for the 
program above is provided through legislation.

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.

Notification

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

    Dated: April 10, 2000.
Evelyn S. Lieberman,
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 00-9800 Filed 4-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-11-P
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