FY 2010 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting returning refugees in Afghanistan Countrywide Announcement | Apply Online

FAQs: FY 2010 PRM Funding Opportunity for NGO Programs Benefiting Returning Refugees in Afghanistan

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a FY 2010 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) grant opportunity to support NGO programs that help Afghan refugee returnees reintegrate in a durable, sustainable way across Afghanistan, with a strong emphasis on livelihoods and local economic development in provinces hosting sizeable numbers of returnees.

2) What problem is PRM trying to address through this funding?

PRM highlights that many returnees struggle to reintegrate because they cannot find viable economic opportunities in their areas of origin. The core thrust of the funding is to strengthen livelihoods and local economic development so returnees can achieve durable resettlement and reintegration.

3) What is the geographic scope of the program?

The opportunity is described as countrywide within Afghanistan, with country-specific guidance to concentrate support in communities with significant return populations (particularly provinces hosting sizeable numbers of returnees).

4) What type of award will PRM make?

Funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 19.519 (Overseas Refugee Assistance Program for Near East and South Asia).

5) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA is 19.519, titled "Overseas Refugee Assistance Program for Near East and South Asia."

6) How much funding is available per award?

PRM expects awards to range from a floor of $250,000 to a ceiling of $2,000,000.

7) Is cost-sharing required?

No cost-sharing is required. However, PRM explicitly prefers budgets that demonstrate co-funding from non-U.S. government sources.

8) 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.

9) When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted May 4, 2010. The application deadline was June 2, 2010. The archive date was July 2, 2010.

10) What populations should projects primarily serve?

The primary expectation is that awards will support Afghan returnees (returning refugees). PRM also allows proposals to include activities addressing emergency needs of Pakistani refugees in Afghanistan.

11) What is PRM's position on duplicating services already provided by others?

PRM expects funded work to fill gaps not already covered by UNHCR or other international actors supporting returns, rather than duplicating existing services.

12) How important is coordination with UNHCR for competitiveness?

Coordination with UNHCR is heavily emphasized. PRM notes that proposal competitiveness depends strongly on demonstrated capacity and coordination, and priority goes to organizations that can show a working relationship with UNHCR, current UNHCR funding, and/or a letter of support from UNHCR that clearly explains the service gap the project will address.

13) What kind of UNHCR documentation or evidence does PRM prefer?

PRM indicates higher priority for organizations that can provide evidence such as: a working relationship with UNHCR, current UNHCR funding, and/or a UNHCR letter of support that clearly explains the specific gap the proposed project will address.

14) Can applicants share draft proposals with UNHCR for feedback?

Yes. Applicants are invited to send draft proposals to UNHCR Afghanistan for comments and to reference that communication in the proposal narrative or annex so reviewers can see concrete coordination efforts.

15) Who are the UNHCR Afghanistan points of contact listed in the announcement?

The announcement lists UNHCR Afghanistan contacts as Country Representative Ewen Macleod (Macleod@unhcr.org) and Assistant Program Representative Anatoli Poujai (poujai@unhcr.org).

16) What does PRM expect regarding coordination with other actors besides UNHCR?

PRM expects evidence of coordination with other NGOs, international organizations, and where relevant local authorities, along with a proven track record in the proposed sectors and geographic locations.

17) What are PRM's priority activity areas for FY 2010?

PRM identifies the following priority areas: (1) income-generating activities tied to real market opportunities and/or linked to available microfinance institutions; (2) vocational training only when linked to income generation or job placement (and including tool sets when necessary); (3) improving access to basic health services, especially maternal and child health and comprehensive reproductive health, with sustainability measures such as health worker training and provision of supplies/equipment; (4) education, particularly primary school construction or rehabilitation coupled with teacher training and learning materials; (5) prevention of and response to gender-based violence; and (6) water and sanitation system construction, rehabilitation, and repair, especially when integrated with livelihoods and/or education efforts.

18) Are multisectoral proposals encouraged?

Yes. PRM encourages multisectoral programs, and notes proposals are more competitive when they incorporate one or more of the listed priority elements.

19) What income-generation activities will NOT be funded?

PRM states that short-term cash-for-work programs without a pathway to sustainable income will not be funded.

20) What vocational training approaches will NOT be supported?

PRM indicates it will not support stand-alone vocational training without a clear pathway to income generation, enterprise development, or job placement. Training is prioritized only when it is linked to income generation or job placement and, when necessary, includes tool sets needed to practice the trade.

21) What does PRM mean by a strong transition strategy?

PRM makes transition planning a core evaluation factor. Proposals must explain how activities will phase into locally available services, connect to early recovery and/or development programs supported by the international community, or move beneficiaries toward self-reliance. PRM also expects clear plans for shifting from relief to early recovery under local or national structures.

22) Is follow-on PRM funding expected after the award ends?

PRM is explicit that follow-on funding is unlikely. Projects should be designed with a realistic exit and handover plan from the outset.

23) Are applicants required to include a specific transition-related objective and indicators?

Yes. NGOs are required to include at least one objective with indicators (including an impact indicator) specifically demonstrating how project results will be transferred or sustained through local services, development programs, or self-reliance mechanisms.

24) What program design and M&E elements does PRM expect?

PRM expects a concrete implementation plan with SMART objectives and indicators, established baselines, and at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective.

25) Are there requirements for how beneficiary targeting should be done?

Yes. Targeting must be appropriate and coordinated with UNHCR and other relevant organizations.

26) Are there expectations about humanitarian standards and guidelines?

Yes. Programming must adhere to recognized international humanitarian standards as outlined in PRM's FY2010 General NGO Guidelines. Applicants are also instructed to consult the full Grants.gov announcement and PRM's general NGO guidelines for detailed requirements and sector standards.

27) Does PRM encourage a focus on particularly vulnerable groups?

Yes. PRM encourages proposals that address the needs of extremely vulnerable groups in return communities, including widows and female-headed households.

28) What does PRM say about gender and protection considerations?

PRM encourages incorporation of gender-based violence prevention and response where appropriate, expects projects to consider protection and assistance needs of women and girls, and requires monitoring indicators to be disaggregated by gender and age.

29) Which national or international planning frameworks are preferred for alignment?

PRM gives additional preference to projects that coordinate with, or are incorporated into, major planning frameworks such as the Afghanistan Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP) 2010, the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS), the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), and/or the National Solidarity Programme (NSP). For programs specifically targeted to women, coordination with the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAWPA) 2008-2018 is encouraged.

30) Who should international organizations contact to ensure PRM considers their programming?

PRM notes that international organizations running relevant programs should ensure PRM is aware of them by the closing date so PRM can evaluate IO and NGO programming side by side for funding consideration.

31) Who is the PRM contact for questions about the opportunity?

Questions are directed to PRM Program Officer Linda Muncy (MuncyLH@state.gov). The announcement also provides phone numbers.

32) What are the main factors that make a proposal competitive, according to PRM?

PRM emphasizes demonstrated capacity and coordination, including strong UNHCR ties and gap-filling scope; a proven track record in the relevant sectors and geographic locations; active coordination with other NGOs, international organizations, and relevant local authorities; rigorous program design with SMART objectives, baselines, and outcome/impact indicators; and a credible transition plan from humanitarian relief into early recovery and development, including an exit/handover plan.