Opportunity Information: Apply for CSOG CSOOPS2 16 001

  • The Bureau of Conflict Stabilization Operations in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Dialogue and Dispute Resolution for Conflict Prevention in Guineas Forest Region" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.121 Conflict and Stabilization Operations.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 31, 2015 and posted on Aug 31, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 31, 2015 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Individuals Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).
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Opportunity Summary:

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO), offered a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Dialogue and Dispute Resolution for Conflict Prevention in Guineas Forest Region" aimed at reducing inter-communal violence in Guinea's Forest Region. The core idea behind the grant was to strengthen conflict prevention at the local level by pairing facilitated dialogue with practical, community-based alternative dispute resolution (ADR) tools. CSO framed the problem as one where mistrust, intolerance, and unresolved local disputes can quickly escalate into wider communal violence, so the program emphasis was on preventative, relationship-building work that creates space for grievances to be addressed non-violently before they turn into larger confrontations.

A central component of the opportunity was support for facilitated dialogue among Forest Region leadership, explicitly including both "peacemakers and spoilers." That language signals a realistic approach to conflict dynamics: programs were expected not only to engage well-intentioned community leaders, but also to find ways to bring in actors who may fuel tensions or benefit from instability. The goal of these dialogue efforts was to build trust and tolerance, described in the announcement as essential foundations for longer-term reconciliation. In practice, this suggests activities such as structured community dialogues, mediation sessions among influential leaders, inclusive forums that bridge identity or factional divides, and confidence-building processes designed to reduce rumor-driven escalation and rehumanize opposing sides.

Alongside dialogue, CSO sought programming that builds sustainable, locally owned mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution at the community level. Rather than relying on outside actors to solve disputes, the grant emphasized creating or strengthening community structures that can manage conflict consistently over time. That typically implies training and supporting local mediators, establishing or formalizing community dispute resolution committees, improving referral pathways for recurring dispute types (such as land, resources, family, or inter-group issues), and reinforcing norms and procedures that encourage non-violent problem solving. The focus on sustainability and local ownership indicates that proposals were expected to embed skills and systems in the community so that dispute resolution capacity remains after the grant ends.

The funding instrument for this opportunity was a Cooperative Agreement, which usually means the funding agency anticipated substantial involvement in the project during implementation rather than a hands-off grant model. The opportunity anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1), with an award ceiling of $500,000 and no stated minimum award amount (AwardFloor: $0). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, making it accessible to organizations that may not have additional funds to contribute.

Eligibility for applicants was broad and included nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), public and private institutions of higher education, individuals, small businesses, for-profit entities (including those other than small businesses), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The listing associated the opportunity with CFDA number 19.121 (Conflict and Stabilization Operations), aligning it with conflict mitigation and stabilization programming.

Key administrative dates show the opportunity was posted and created on August 31, 2015, with an original and current closing date of October 31, 2015, and an archive date of November 30, 2015. The official funding opportunity number was CSOG-CSOOPS2-16-001. For applicants or interested parties who could not access the full announcement electronically, the notice directed them to the Grants.gov Contact Center (1-800-518-4726, support@grants.gov), which operates 24/7 except federal holidays.

Overall, this grant opportunity was designed for an implementer capable of operating in a complex conflict environment and doing the slow, relationship-centered work that reduces violence risk: convening credible dialogues across divides, engaging influential actors including potential spoilers, and leaving behind practical community-led dispute resolution mechanisms that can handle future tensions without escalation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Dialogue and Dispute Resolution for Conflict Prevention in Guineas Forest Region."

Which U.S. government office offered this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO).

What problem was this opportunity designed to address?

It was designed to reduce inter-communal violence in Guinea's Forest Region by addressing mistrust, intolerance, and unresolved local disputes that can escalate into broader communal conflict.

What is the main approach or theory behind the program?

The program emphasized prevention at the local level by pairing facilitated dialogue with practical, community-based alternative dispute resolution (ADR) tools, creating space for grievances to be addressed non-violently before they escalate.

What types of activities were emphasized under the dialogue component?

The opportunity emphasized facilitated dialogue among leadership in Guinea's Forest Region to build trust and tolerance as foundations for reconciliation. The description suggests structured community dialogues, mediation sessions among influential leaders, inclusive forums bridging divides, and confidence-building processes to reduce rumor-driven escalation.

Who was expected to participate in the facilitated dialogue?

The opportunity explicitly called for engaging Forest Region leadership, including both "peacemakers and spoilers," indicating programs were expected to involve well-intentioned leaders as well as actors who may contribute to tensions or benefit from instability.

What does "peacemakers and spoilers" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Within the opportunity description, it signals an expectation that implementers would take a realistic approach to conflict dynamics by engaging not only cooperative community leaders but also influential actors who could fuel tensions, so that dialogue efforts are more credible and preventative.

What is meant by "alternative dispute resolution (ADR)" in this opportunity?

ADR refers to practical, community-based tools and processes for resolving disputes non-violently. The opportunity highlighted locally owned mechanisms to manage disputes consistently over time rather than relying on outside actors.

What kinds of ADR mechanisms or structures were envisioned?

The opportunity emphasized sustainable, locally owned mechanisms such as training and supporting local mediators, establishing or formalizing community dispute resolution committees, improving referral pathways for recurring dispute types (including land, resources, family, or inter-group issues), and reinforcing norms and procedures that support non-violent problem solving.

Why did the opportunity emphasize sustainability and local ownership?

The emphasis indicates proposals were expected to embed skills and systems within the community so dispute resolution capacity would remain after the grant ends.

What type of funding instrument was used?

The funding instrument was a Cooperative Agreement.

What does a Cooperative Agreement typically imply for project implementation?

A Cooperative Agreement usually means the funding agency anticipates substantial involvement during implementation rather than a fully hands-off grant model.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).

What was the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling was $500,000.

Was there a minimum award amount (award floor)?

No minimum award amount was stated (AwardFloor: $0).

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included: nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), public and private institutions of higher education, individuals, small businesses, for-profit entities (including those other than small businesses), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).

What program or CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was associated with CFDA number 19.121, Conflict and Stabilization Operations.

What is the official funding opportunity number?

The official funding opportunity number was CSOG-CSOOPS2-16-001.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted and created on August 31, 2015. The original and current closing date was October 31, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was November 30, 2015.

Where was the geographic focus of the work?

The work focused on Guinea's Forest Region.

What kind of implementer did CSO appear to be seeking?

The description suggests CSO was seeking an implementer able to operate in a complex conflict environment and carry out relationship-centered prevention work, including convening credible dialogues across divides and leaving behind practical community-led dispute resolution mechanisms.

What should someone do if they cannot access the full announcement electronically?

The notice directed such individuals to contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. The Contact Center operates 24/7 except federal holidays.

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