Opportunity Information: Apply for S BH20013 ESF
Apply for S BH20013 ESF
- The U.S. Mission to Belize in the community development employment, labor and training law, justice and legal services regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Job Creation for At Risk Neighborhoods" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 17, 2013 and posted on May 17, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 14, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Individuals Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan (U.S. Mission to Belize) announced a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Job Creation for At Risk Neighborhoods" (Funding Opportunity Number: S-BH20013-ESF) to support the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) objective of strengthening citizen security in Belize. The central idea is to fund practical, community-centered projects that reduce violence and crime by addressing the underlying conditions that often drive insecurity. Rather than focusing only on enforcement or short-term interventions, the Embassy is looking for proposals that can credibly improve the social and cultural environment that helps communities remain peaceful and orderly over time.
The opportunity is specifically oriented toward confronting root causes of violence in Belize, including limited economic development, a lack of marketable skills or tradecraft, weak conflict resolution abilities, and fewer constructive opportunities for youth. A major emphasis is placed on marginalized youth, with the solicitation framing empowerment as giving young people both a voice and real pathways to opportunity. Projects that provide economic opportunities, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, and business training are especially relevant because they can help young people and their neighborhoods build stability and resilience while also improving overall citizen security.
Funding totals are capped at 500,000 USD across all awards, with individual grant requests allowed between 50,000 USD (floor) and 200,000 USD (ceiling). The planned project performance period is one to two years. While the narrative mentions that up to ten grants may be awarded within the overall 500,000 USD total, the source data also lists an expected awards figure; in any case, the Embassy makes clear it may fund multiple projects and that the final number of awards will depend on proposal quality and available funds. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.
Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities: non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations, international government organizations, educational institutions (including private institutions of higher education), and individuals. Grants are intended to be awarded directly to the organization when an organization applies. NGOs and NPOs are required to submit documentation proving their legal status along with the proposal, which is a common compliance requirement for award eligibility and due diligence.
Applications were required to be submitted by email no later than Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. local Belize time, to belmopangrants@state.gov. The deadline was treated as strict: submissions after 11:59 p.m. were deemed ineligible, and add-on materials (appendices, attachments, exhibits, or other supplemental items) were not accepted after the deadline even if the main application had already been submitted. Applicants were encouraged to start early to avoid last-minute technical problems. Additional guidance on application content and requirements was provided through the U.S. Embassy Belize website (http://belize.usembassy.gov), and program questions could be directed to CARSI Program Specialists Barry Cuthbertson or Faustino Shal via the same grants email address. For access issues with the full announcement, the contact listed was Tameka Casselle, NAS Procurement Agent (Phone: 822 4011), INL Belize.
In terms of thematic scope, the grant aligns with community development, employment and training, justice-related services, and regional development outcomes, but it frames these areas through a citizen-security lens. In practice, the strongest proposals would likely be those that clearly connect job creation and skills development to measurable reductions in risk factors for youth and communities, showing a thoughtful understanding of the local drivers of crime and demonstrating credible, implementable strategies within the one-to-two-year timeline. The Embassy also reserved the right to make no awards if proposals did not meet the desired quality standard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Job Creation for At Risk Neighborhoods."
Who is offering this grant?
The grant was announced by the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan (U.S. Mission to Belize).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is S-BH20013-ESF.
What larger initiative or objective does this grant support?
This opportunity supports the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) objective of strengthening citizen security in Belize.
What is the overall purpose of the grant?
The grant is intended to fund practical, community-centered projects that reduce violence and crime by addressing underlying conditions that often drive insecurity, with an emphasis on improving the social and cultural environment that helps communities remain peaceful and orderly over time.
Is the grant focused on enforcement or short-term interventions?
No. The solicitation emphasizes approaches that go beyond enforcement and short-term interventions, prioritizing projects that address root causes and contribute to longer-term community stability.
What root causes of violence does the opportunity highlight?
The opportunity specifically points to limited economic development, a lack of marketable skills or tradecraft, weak conflict resolution abilities, and fewer constructive opportunities for youth.
Who is the main target population?
A major emphasis is placed on marginalized youth, including efforts that provide young people with both a voice and real pathways to opportunity.
What types of projects are especially relevant under this grant?
Projects that provide economic opportunities, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, and business training are especially relevant, particularly when they are clearly linked to improved citizen security.
How does job creation connect to citizen security in this opportunity?
The solicitation frames job creation and skills development as tools to reduce risk factors for youth and communities by building stability and resilience, which in turn supports reductions in violence and crime.
What thematic areas does the grant align with?
The grant aligns with community development, employment and training, justice-related services, and regional development outcomes, framed through a citizen-security lens.
What is the total funding amount available?
Total funding is capped at 500,000 USD across all awards.
What is the minimum and maximum amount that can be requested per grant?
Individual grant requests may range from 50,000 USD (minimum) to 200,000 USD (maximum).
How many awards will be made?
The Embassy indicated that multiple awards may be made. The narrative mentions that up to ten grants may be awarded within the overall 500,000 USD cap, and the final number of awards depends on proposal quality and available funds.
What is the expected project period (performance period)?
The planned project performance period is one to two years.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profit organizations (NPOs), international government organizations, educational institutions (including private institutions of higher education), and individuals.
If an organization applies, who receives the award?
When an organization applies, the grant is intended to be awarded directly to the organization.
Do NGOs and NPOs need to submit proof of legal status?
Yes. NGOs and NPOs are required to submit documentation proving their legal status along with the proposal.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted by email to belmopangrants@state.gov.
What was the application deadline?
Applications were due no later than Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. local Belize time.
Was the deadline strict?
Yes. Submissions received after 11:59 p.m. were deemed ineligible.
Can applicants send additional materials after the deadline?
No. Add-on materials (appendices, attachments, exhibits, or other supplemental items) were not accepted after the deadline, even if the main application had already been submitted.
What did the Embassy recommend regarding last-minute submissions?
Applicants were encouraged to start early to avoid last-minute technical problems.
Where could applicants find additional guidance on application content and requirements?
Additional guidance was available through the U.S. Embassy Belize website: http://belize.usembassy.gov
Who could applicants contact with program questions?
Program questions could be directed to CARSI Program Specialists Barry Cuthbertson or Faustino Shal via the grants email address (belmopangrants@state.gov).
Who was listed as the contact for access issues with the full announcement?
For access issues with the full announcement, the contact listed was Tameka Casselle, NAS Procurement Agent (Phone: 822 4011), INL Belize.
What kinds of proposals are likely to be strongest for this opportunity?
The strongest proposals would likely be those that clearly connect job creation and skills development to measurable reductions in risk factors for youth and communities, demonstrate an understanding of local drivers of crime, and present credible, implementable strategies that fit within the one-to-two-year timeline.
Is the Embassy required to make awards under this announcement?
No. The Embassy reserved the right to make no awards if proposals did not meet the desired quality standard.
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