Request for Applications (RFA)

Human Rights Grants

Number:                   RFA 08-02 HR

Date Issued:            June 29, 2008

Closing Date:          July 20, 2008

Closing Time:          3:00 pm

A. Purpose

Counterpart International – Afghanistan seeks proposals from locally registered civil society organizations for projects aimed at promoting and strengthening civil society in Afghanistan. 

 B. The Human Rights Grant program is an important component of I-PACS.  The human rights grant program aims to provide funding for specific activities to promote and protect the human rights of  the people of Afghanistan. Human rights projects may include those designed to assist one or more disadvantaged groups to exercise and enjoy their human rights. These rights can include, but are not limited to, the rights to “life, liberty and security of person;” freedom from torture or “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;” freedom of religion and expression; and the right “to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of [oneself and one’s] family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.”[1]  The grants can also support activities to monitor human rights violations and to advocate for the increased protection and realization of the human rights of disadvantaged groups.  In addition, grants can help bring accountability to those who have restricted the exercise of a group’s human rights. 

Given the breadth and variety of the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL)—as well as other relevant domestic and international law—proposals covering a wide range of activities may be possible.  However, to be eligible for funding, proposals must articulate their proposed interventions within a human rights framework.

The proposal must include the following elements:

1. A local, Afghan constituency must be involved in  identifying the human rights issue;
2. That constituency must support efforts to realize the rights in question;
3. The project must be part of a systematic process that the organization aims to undertake to address a specific issue;
4. A description of how the organization proposes to address the human rights issue;
5. A well-defined, concrete, achievable and realistic goal and SMART objectives;
6. A clearly defined target group/audience;
7. Evidence of the organization’s capacity to implement the program, including relevance to the organization’s mission;

 C. Eligibility Criteria

 1. Institutional

1. Be a registered non-profit local organization;
2. Have a well-defined governance structure with charter, governing body and officers;
3. Adhere to generally accepted democratic leadership and participation principles;
4. Work with a well-defined constituency or beneficiary base (i.e. clients, members, or target communities); and have relevance to a significant segment of the population in their community or country;
5. The organization has prior experience in human rights, advocacy and/or rights-based projects.

 2.   Other

1. Priority will be given to proposals demonstrating a coalition of support from other CSOs and constituent buy-in or contribution (cash or in-kind) made towards the cost of the project.
2. The organization must demonstrate strong experience of handling similar projects;
3. The organization must be registered with the relevant line ministry;
4. The maximum ceiling on individual awards shall be USD 50,000 (US dollars fifty thousand).
5. Only one proposal may be submitted by an organization.

D. Proposal Review Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by a Grants Committee. The proposal will be reviewed based on the criteria indicated below.

 1.      Organizational Capacity: The appropriateness of the organization’s mission to the given project and its impact on civil society development. Organization demonstrates a history of successful well-managed projects and has the organizational/financial capacity to manage grants.

2.      Issue and Impact: Will activities increase impact on the issue and on the organization’s mission-driven development?

3.      Program: Is the program appropriate for funding, clearly presented, achievable and addressing a specific community, including both women’s and men’s needs?

4.      Strategy and Plan: Does the project have well-defined and specific activities, as well as a strategy and plan?

5.      Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:  Is there a reasonable plan to monitor implementation and asses the program impact on women and men?

6.      Budget: Is the budget clear and reasonable, providing adequate resources to allow the participation of all stakeholders, including both women and men, to implement and manage the program?

 E. Submission Guidelines

1. Proposal must be submitted using the attached format for proposal, budget and budget notes.  The proposal must not be more than 10 pages in length and in Times New Roman font 12 point, if applicable. Attachments are also limited to 10 pages;

2. Proposals may be submitted in English, Dari or Pashto;

3. In case of any questions or queries please contact the grants office at the address and phone number listed below no later than July 10, 2008;

d.      1 electronic copy and two hard copies in a closed/sealed envelope marked clearly as “Proposal – Human Rights Grants” must be submitted to the address listed below:

Badi Ahmadi

Asst. Grants Manager

Counterpart International

Initiative to Promote Afghan Civil Society (I-PACS)

House # 47, Maghzan Street, Dar ul Aman Road

Near Parliament Building

Kart-e-Say, Kabul, Afghanistan

Tel: +93 (0) 70 154 933

badiullah@counterpart-afg.org

APPLICATIONS THAT ARRIVE AFTER THE DUE DATE AND TIME AND/OR ARE INCOMPLETE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR SELECTION.

 Disclaimer

 Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of Counterpart, IPACS partners or USAID. Counterpart reserve the right to reject any or all applications received. Award of any grants contemplated by this RFA cannot be made until funds have been appropriated, allocated, and committed by Counterpart and USAID. Continued funding for all projects throughout their duration will be dependent upon the grantee's performance and availability of funds from USAID. While Counterpart and USAID anticipate that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for the award.

There are four attachments to this RFA:

Attachment A:         Proposal Cover Sheet

Attachment B:         Project Proposal (Format)

Attachment C:         Budget (Template)

Attachment D:         Budget Narrative (Template)