Opportunity Information: Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 11 006
Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 11 006
- The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the community development law, justice and legal services other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting democracy and human rights in East Asia and the Pacific." and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345 International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 9, 2011 and posted on Nov 8, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 13, 2011 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 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 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 Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
This U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) grant opportunity, titled "Promoting democracy and human rights in East Asia and the Pacific" (Funding Opportunity Number DRLA DRLAQM 11 006), supports a small set of targeted projects designed to strengthen civil society, expand civic participation, and improve government compliance with key international human rights commitments across Southeast Asia and selected country contexts. The program is discretionary and will make an estimated five awards, generally ranging from about $250,000 to $500,000, with no cost sharing or matching requirement. Funding is offered through grants, and eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), public or state controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity was posted in November 2011 and closed December 13, 2011, with an archive date in January 2012.
A major regional focus area centers on disability rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), with approximately $300,000 available for a multi country program. DRL is looking to build the organizational strength of disabled persons organizations (DPOs) so they can participate more effectively in civil society coalitions and in government processes tied to CRPD implementation. Proposals are expected to spell out, in practical terms, how DPOs will be better equipped to advocate for rights, influence policy, and support government implementation efforts. DRL signals that stronger proposals will show outcomes such as measurable gains in DPO organizational capacity across Southeast Asia, increased advocacy by community and labor organizations on disability issues, greater civil and political participation by people with disabilities, and concrete government actions on CRPD implementation that can be linked to DPO advocacy and engagement. The program must cover at least two Southeast Asian countries, and DRL expresses a preference for projects that include Laos, Thailand, and/or Cambodia.
Vietnam is addressed through two separate themes. The first, "Improving Civil Society Influence at the National Assembly," has about $400,000 available and aims to improve the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to shape policy decisions through more effective engagement with the National Assembly. DRL is seeking proposals that train CSOs and NGOs on relationship building, legislative advocacy, and communicating community priorities to Assembly members, ideally through partner organizations operating across multiple regions of the country and spanning diverse issue areas. Favorable outcomes include a clearly defined target population, improved ability of the National Assembly to represent constituents through grassroots democratic engagement, stronger civil society capacity to run information and outreach efforts aimed at the Assembly, and greater capacity to press for specific policy reforms rather than only general awareness raising.
The second Vietnam focus area supports implementation of the Convention Against Torture (CAT), with approximately $250,000 available. This component is designed to support Vietnam's accession and follow through by engaging government stakeholders on practical compliance with CAT obligations. DRL is looking for proposals that work across relevant ministries and departments and that build the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes needed to prevent torture and ill treatment and to strengthen adherence to international standards. Activities can include training judges and ministry officials, but DRL emphasizes measurable outcomes and meaningful engagement with the relevant government institutions. Creative, applied approaches are encouraged, while proposals centered mainly on conferences or study tours are specifically described as less competitive.
Cambodia is another priority, with roughly $350,000 available to "Support Civil Society in Cambodia" as it adapts to a changing legal and political environment. DRL seeks proposals that reinforce public interest legal assistance and the strategic use of judicial processes to challenge laws or practices that may undermine democratic development. Another key emphasis is coalition building: strengthening the capacity of CSOs, including labor unions, DPOs, and women's rights organizations, to form issue based alliances that can advocate more effectively on democracy and human rights. DRL also leaves room, in a limited way, for assistance to community based organizations and smaller NGOs that are trying to register, particularly support that helps them navigate legal ambiguities and manage anticipated administrative burdens tied to registration requirements.
Indonesia is addressed through a security sector reform and accountability lens, with up to about $500,000 available for "Strengthening civil society's role in security service reform." The underlying objective is to reduce and prevent human rights abuses by military and police personnel by expanding the reach and effectiveness of NGOs monitoring and responding to abuses. DRL is especially interested in proposals that strengthen engagement between civil society and the security apparatus, including NGO led training for security service leaders and initiatives that improve civilian leadership understanding of how abuses occur, why accountability matters, how misconduct should be punished, and how it can be prevented. Desired outcomes include stronger NGO networks and information sharing, greater ability of abuse focused NGOs to participate in policymaking processes, and deeper awareness among civilian leaders within police and security institutions about the causes and prevention of abuse.
Taken together, the opportunity is structured as a set of country and regional program tracks under one umbrella competition, each with a clear human rights and democracy outcome and a strong preference for proposals that go beyond awareness raising to produce practical capacity gains, sustained advocacy, and measurable institutional or policy changes. Across all tracks, DRL consistently signals what it wants to fund: grounded partnerships, training and capacity building that leads to real advocacy and participation, and evidence based programming with specific outcomes that connect civil society action to government implementation of human rights obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Promoting democracy and human rights in East Asia and the Pacific."
Who is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DRLA DRLAQM 11 006.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program supports a small set of targeted projects intended to strengthen civil society, expand civic participation, and improve government compliance with key international human rights commitments across Southeast Asia and selected country contexts.
Is this a formula grant or a discretionary competition?
This is a discretionary program.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
DRL estimates it will make five awards.
What is the typical award size?
Awards are generally expected to range from about $250,000 to $500,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
Funding is offered through grants.
Which applicants are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), public or state controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted in November 2011 and closed on December 13, 2011. The archive date is in January 2012.
What geographic areas does this opportunity focus on?
The opportunity focuses on Southeast Asia and selected country contexts, with specific tracks described for a multi-country Southeast Asia program (disability rights/CRPD) and country-focused tracks for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
How is the opportunity structured?
It is structured as a set of regional and country program tracks under one umbrella competition, with each track tied to specific democracy and human rights outcomes.
What kind of proposals does DRL indicate are most competitive across tracks?
Across tracks, DRL consistently signals a preference for proposals that go beyond awareness raising and instead deliver practical capacity gains, sustained advocacy, and measurable institutional or policy changes, supported by grounded partnerships, training/capacity building, and evidence-based programming with specific outcomes.
What is the regional focus area related to disability rights?
A major regional focus area centers on disability rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), with approximately $300,000 available for a multi-country program.
What is the goal of the CRPD/disability rights track?
The goal is to build the organizational strength of disabled persons organizations (DPOs) so they can participate more effectively in civil society coalitions and in government processes tied to CRPD implementation.
What does DRL expect proposals to explain for the disability rights track?
Proposals are expected to spell out, in practical terms, how DPOs will be better equipped to advocate for rights, influence policy, and support government implementation efforts related to CRPD.
What outcomes does DRL describe as indicators of a strong disability rights proposal?
DRL signals that stronger proposals will show outcomes such as measurable gains in DPO organizational capacity across Southeast Asia, increased advocacy by community and labor organizations on disability issues, greater civil and political participation by people with disabilities, and concrete government actions on CRPD implementation that can be linked to DPO advocacy and engagement.
How many countries must be included in the disability rights track?
The program must cover at least two Southeast Asian countries.
Are any countries specifically preferred for the disability rights track?
Yes. DRL expresses a preference for projects that include Laos, Thailand, and/or Cambodia.
What are the two Vietnam themes described in this opportunity?
Vietnam is addressed through two themes: (1) "Improving Civil Society Influence at the National Assembly" and (2) supporting implementation of the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
How much funding is available for the Vietnam National Assembly track?
About $400,000 is available for "Improving Civil Society Influence at the National Assembly."
What is the aim of the Vietnam National Assembly track?
It aims to improve the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to shape policy decisions through more effective engagement with Vietnam's National Assembly.
What kinds of activities does DRL seek under the Vietnam National Assembly track?
DRL is seeking proposals that train CSOs and NGOs on relationship building, legislative advocacy, and communicating community priorities to Assembly members, ideally through partner organizations operating across multiple regions of the country and spanning diverse issue areas.
What outcomes does DRL describe as favorable for the Vietnam National Assembly track?
Favorable outcomes include a clearly defined target population, improved ability of the National Assembly to represent constituents through grassroots democratic engagement, stronger civil society capacity to run information and outreach efforts aimed at the Assembly, and greater capacity to press for specific policy reforms rather than only general awareness raising.
How much funding is available for the Vietnam CAT track?
Approximately $250,000 is available for the Convention Against Torture (CAT) component in Vietnam.
What is the goal of the Vietnam CAT track?
This component is designed to support Vietnam's accession and follow-through by engaging government stakeholders on practical compliance with CAT obligations.
What kinds of activities are mentioned as possible under the Vietnam CAT track?
Activities can include training judges and ministry officials, and working across relevant ministries and departments to build the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes needed to prevent torture and ill treatment and strengthen adherence to international standards.
What does DRL emphasize for proposals under the Vietnam CAT track?
DRL emphasizes measurable outcomes and meaningful engagement with relevant government institutions, and encourages creative, applied approaches.
Are there any approaches described as less competitive for the Vietnam CAT track?
Yes. Proposals centered mainly on conferences or study tours are specifically described as less competitive.
How much funding is available for the Cambodia track?
Roughly $350,000 is available to "Support Civil Society in Cambodia."
What is the main focus of the Cambodia track?
The Cambodia track focuses on supporting civil society as it adapts to a changing legal and political environment, reinforcing public interest legal assistance, and supporting the strategic use of judicial processes to challenge laws or practices that may undermine democratic development.
What role does coalition building play in the Cambodia track?
Coalition building is a key emphasis: strengthening the capacity of CSOs, including labor unions, DPOs, and women's rights organizations, to form issue-based alliances that can advocate more effectively on democracy and human rights.
Does the Cambodia track allow support for registration-related needs of smaller organizations?
Yes, in a limited way. The opportunity leaves room for assistance to community-based organizations and smaller NGOs that are trying to register, particularly support that helps them navigate legal ambiguities and manage anticipated administrative burdens tied to registration requirements.
How much funding is available for the Indonesia track?
Up to about $500,000 is available for "Strengthening civil society's role in security service reform" in Indonesia.
What is the main objective of the Indonesia track?
The objective is to reduce and prevent human rights abuses by military and police personnel by expanding the reach and effectiveness of NGOs monitoring and responding to abuses.
What types of activities does DRL highlight for Indonesia?
DRL is especially interested in proposals that strengthen engagement between civil society and the security apparatus, including NGO-led training for security service leaders and initiatives that improve civilian leadership understanding of how abuses occur, why accountability matters, how misconduct should be punished, and how it can be prevented.
What outcomes does DRL want to see from the Indonesia track?
Desired outcomes include stronger NGO networks and information sharing, greater ability of abuse-focused NGOs to participate in policymaking processes, and deeper awareness among civilian leaders within police and security institutions about the causes and prevention of abuse.
Does this opportunity favor awareness-raising projects?
Across tracks, DRL signals a strong preference for projects that go beyond general awareness raising and instead produce practical capacity gains, sustained advocacy, and measurable changes in institutions or policy.
What kinds of results does DRL appear to prioritize in general?
DRL prioritizes results that connect civil society action to government implementation of human rights obligations, including strengthened organizational capacity, more effective advocacy and participation, and concrete government actions that can be linked to civil society engagement.
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