FY 2010 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting Afghan refugees in Pakistan | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is the FY 2010 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), for NGO programs benefiting Afghan refugees in Pakistan. It is a discretionary funding opportunity focused on targeted refugee assistance for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan.

2) What is PRM trying to accomplish with this FY2010 announcement?

PRM indicates two main FY2010 strategic priorities: (1) helping Afghan refugees gain practical, marketable skills that can translate into livelihoods in Afghanistan upon return; and (2) addressing longer-term needs for refugees and Pakistani host communities when return is not immediately possible.

3) Who are the intended beneficiaries?

The announcement is focused on Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, including those in host communities and refugee villages. PRM also highlights longer-term needs in Pakistani host communities when return is not immediately possible, and it references approaches (such as RAHA) that benefit both Afghan refugees and local Pakistanis.

4) Why is PRM funding needed if other actors are operating there?

PRM notes that despite more than five million Afghans returning since 2002, roughly 1.7 million Afghan refugees still reside in Pakistan. The announcement states that ongoing needs are not fully covered by UNHCR, other international organizations, or the Government of Pakistan, and PRM wants proposals that fill identifiable gaps rather than duplicate existing services.

5) What sectors are prioritized for funding?

PRM is seeking projects delivering essential services in four priority sectors: livelihoods, protection, health, and primary education.

6) What does PRM mean by “no duplicative programming”?

PRM explicitly states it does not want projects that replicate services already delivered by UNHCR, other actors, or the Government of Pakistan. Proposals are expected to identify and address service gaps.

7) What kinds of livelihoods activities does PRM want to support?

PRM prioritizes livelihoods tied to real income opportunities. Vocational training in marketable skills is encouraged, but PRM draws a clear line against standalone vocational training that is not connected to income-generating activities.

8) Is vocational training alone eligible for funding?

PRM indicates it does not support standalone vocational training that is not connected to income-generating activities. Livelihoods programming is expected to be linked to practical opportunities for income.

9) Are applicants expected to conduct market assessments for livelihoods programs?

Yes. PRM expects livelihoods interventions to be grounded in evidence, including market and income surveys conducted before launching training or livelihoods activities, with skills selected based on likely usefulness in Afghanistan and, when relevant, also in Pakistan.

10) What protection priorities are highlighted?

Within protection, PRM places particular weight on preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and on broader efforts that promote gender equality and safeguard women and girls.

11) Does PRM encourage GBV prevention work beyond direct services?

Yes. PRM encourages protection programming that goes beyond service response, including engaging men and boys in GBV prevention, supporting civil and political empowerment for women and girls, strengthening economic empowerment pathways for women, and addressing needs of particularly vulnerable groups.

12) Which vulnerable groups are specifically mentioned?

The announcement specifically references extremely vulnerable children, older persons, and persons with disabilities as groups whose needs should be addressed within protection-oriented programming.

13) How should gender be handled across proposals?

PRM underscores that all projects, regardless of sector, should be attentive to the distinct needs of women and girls, and that gender should not be treated as an optional add-on.

14) What health activities does PRM prioritize?

In health, PRM emphasizes access to basic health services and explicitly calls for comprehensive reproductive health, with a preference for maternal and child healthcare components.

15) What education activities does PRM prioritize?

PRM supports access to and improvements in primary education. It especially highlights programming that helps children prepare for repatriation and reintegration in Afghanistan, including coursework supporting Dari language proficiency.

16) Does PRM require coordination with UNHCR?

PRM gives stronger consideration to organizations that can demonstrate active coordination and credibility in the operating environment, particularly those with a working relationship with UNHCR.

17) How can an applicant demonstrate a working relationship with UNHCR?

PRM indicates this can be demonstrated through current UNHCR funding, or a UNHCR letter of support for the proposed activities and/or the broader country program. PRM notes that a strong letter should clearly describe the service gap the proposed project will address.

18) What other coordination does PRM look for?

PRM favors applicants that can show meaningful coordination with other international organizations, NGOs, and where relevant, local authorities.

19) How important is past experience in the proposed sector and location?

PRM favors applicants with a proven track record delivering the proposed type of assistance in the specific sector and geographic location.

20) What does PRM expect in the project’s implementation plan?

PRM expects a concrete implementation plan with well-structured objectives and indicators following SMART principles (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and reliable, time-bound and trackable), including established baselines, and at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective.

21) What budget elements does PRM care about?

PRM emphasizes budget quality. Budgets should be appropriate to meet objectives. PRM also views co-funding from non-U.S. government sources as a strength in proposal review (even though the FOA does not list a cost-sharing or matching requirement).

22) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed in the information provided. However, PRM states that non-U.S. government co-funding is viewed as a strength during proposal review.

23) How should applicants approach beneficiary targeting?

PRM wants clear and coordinated beneficiary targeting, developed in consultation with UNHCR and other relevant organizations.

24) What standards must funded projects follow?

PRM requires adherence to recognized international humanitarian standards and references the FY2010 General PRM NGO Guidelines for sector-specific standards.

25) What is RAHA and why does it matter in this announcement?

RAHA refers to the UN Government of Pakistan Refugee Affected and Hosting Area program. PRM signals an intent to shift from short-term relief toward sustainable solutions aligned with RAHA, which aims to harmonize refugee-related services with government sector systems, reduce reliance on parallel UN-supported structures, and strengthen government capacity through training and coordinated delivery.

26) Will PRM favor projects that align with RAHA?

Yes. PRM states it will give higher consideration to projects that fit within or reinforce the RAHA approach, and it indicates an intention to fund at least one project in this category.

27) What is the project duration and are multi-year funds guaranteed?

PRM notes it cannot guarantee funding beyond a 12-month project period.

28) Is a transition strategy required?

Yes. Because PRM cannot guarantee funding beyond 12 months, applicants are required to present a robust transition strategy explaining how activities will move from relief to sustainable arrangements under local or national structures. PRM states this transition component is scored more heavily than in prior years.

29) Are organizations with prior PRM agreements encouraged to change their approach?

PRM encourages organizations that previously held separate PRM cooperative agreements in FY2008 and FY2009 for standalone assistance and GBV programs to integrate those elements into a single, more comprehensive proposal under this announcement.

30) What is the funding instrument for this award?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

31) What is the CFDA number and activity category?

The activity category is refugee assistance under CFDA 19.519 (Overseas Refugee Assistance Program for Near East and South Asia).

32) What are the minimum and maximum award amounts?

The award floor is $250,000 and the award ceiling is $1,500,000.

33) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) and international organizations.

34) What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on May 4, 2010, and the closing date is June 2, 2010.

35) Do international organizations need to do anything if they are already running relevant programs?

Yes. PRM requests that international organizations running relevant programs notify PRM by the closing date so PRM can consider the full landscape of international organization (IO) and NGO activities when making funding decisions.

36) Where can applicants find guidance and the full announcement?

Applicants are directed to PRM's general NGO guidelines on the PRM website and to the full announcement on Grants.gov. The FOA also lists a program contact at PRM for questions.