U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. EMBASSY RABAT
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Title: Coalition Training for Women Parliamentarians
Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-MOROCCO-FY22-06
Deadline for Applications: Extended to August 12, 2022
CFDA Number: 19.040
Total Amount Available: $65,000
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Public Affairs Office of the U.S Embassy in Morocco announces an open competition for a three-day coalition training for up to 40 Moroccan women parliamentarians to be held in Morocco over the calendar year 2023.
The training will bring together women parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to enhance coalition-building skills to advance a common legislative goal in the field of women’s and girls’ rights, personal freedoms, family law, or penal code reform. Besides focusing on capacity-building and networking, the event will also bring public attention to a legislative reform issue agreed upon by the participants in consultation with the U.S. Embassy and the implementing partner, and result with a viable strategy to achieve legislative wins.
The U.S. Embassy intends to issue awards in an amount not to exceed $65,000, pending availability of funding. The U.S. Department of State is under no obligation to fund any of the proposals submitted under this funding opportunity.
This opportunity is open to qualified U.S. and international non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) registered in Morocco and Moroccan NGOs.
Priority Region: Morocco
Program Objectives:
The event seeks to bring together women parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to 1) form meaningful professional ties; 2) enhance skills necessary to form effective coalitions to advance a common legislative cause; 3) identify an area for collaboration and draw an effective strategy with a clear timeline and outcomes; 4) bring public attention to a legislative reform issue of common interest in one of the fields described below; 5) provide continued support and training, as needed; 6) track and publicize eventual outcomes.
The grantee will work with participants to identify a common reform issue in the field of women’s and girls’ rights, personal freedoms, family law, or the penal code, and will provide training and facilitate discussions on effective strategies and tactics to achieve legislative outcomes. Trainings may focus on communications, leadership skills, organizational and networking skills, strategic planning, media training, or any other area that would be beneficial to enhance effectiveness in coalition building towards a common reform goal. The grantee will facilitate the design of an effective strategy, and a clear timeline and outcomes.
Follow on trainings or activities to bring the group together for further meaningful interactions and provide support can also be proposed. The grantee will also design a monitoring and evaluation plan to measure the impact and eventual outcomes of the trainings.
Organizations are encouraged to submit proposals with a detailed budget for the above activities. These proposals should outline how the applicant will provide the following:
· Logistical Support: Guarantee transportation arrangements or reimbursement to cover travel to and from the event, hotel accommodation, conference space, meals, receptions, and supplies.
· Content and Training. Design training content, networking events, identify resources, trainers, speakers, and facilitators, and implement the trainings. Design any follow-on activities or support.
· Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan to measure the impact of these activities using before and after surveys as well as qualitative feedback.
· Social Media and Media: Develop a media and social media plan in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy press office. Provide a photographer and videographer to create visual content.
We will review each proposal based on these following components:
REVIEW AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:
1. Professional capacity and record on previous grants: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has demonstrated its ability to implement the program, including strong financial management and appropriate personnel. (10 points)
2. Quality, feasibility, and clear American connection: The program idea is well developed with details about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. The proposal includes an American cultural element or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policies and perspectives. (20 points)
3. Goals and objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated, and the program’s approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results. (20 points)
4. Embassy priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Mission priority areas or target audiences. (20 points)
5. Budget: The budget justification details reasonable and appropriate costs in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed goals and objectives. (10 points)
6. Monitoring and evaluation plan: Applicant demonstrates ability to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when they will be measured. (10 points)
7. Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have a positive impact after the end of the program. (10 points)
Review and Selection Process
The Public Affairs Section will evaluate all eligible applications. The evaluation process will consist of two stages. First, a technical review will be completed to ensure that proposals and organizations meet the criteria set forth above. Second, a Grant Review Committee comprised of personnel from the U.S. Mission Morocco will evaluate eligible proposals based on the criteria identified above.
B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
· Length of performance period: 12-18 months
· Number of awards anticipated: one award
· Award amounts: up to $65,000
· Total available funding: $65,000
· Type of Funding: FY22 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds
· Anticipated program start date: a mutually agreed upon date during the calendar year 2022
This notice is subject to availability of funding.
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement. The Public Affairs Office will be actively involved in the award’s implementation. The Public Affairs Office will provide input on the participants, program and speakers; and will consult with the awardee on venues and other logistical details.
Program Performance Period: Proposed program activities should be completed in 12 month or less.
C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
1. Eligible Applicants
This opportunity is open to qualified U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) registered in Morocco and Moroccan NGOs or Association. All grantees must have a non-profit status.
Other Eligibility Requirements: Applicants should carefully review all elements of this NOFO and be sure to fulfill all “Eligibility Requirements” – including obtaining UEI and NCAGE numbers – before applying (See bottom of the Announcement for more details on the eligibility requirements and see under Additional resources for guidance on how to apply for UEI and NCAGE codes)
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
There is no minimum or maximum percentage required for this competition.
D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
• Applications are due by August 12, 2022
• The proposal should be $65,000 or less.
• Complete UEI, NCAGE and SAM registration.
• The project should not have an intended start date before January 15, 2023.
• All proposals must adhere to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) including the “eligibility requirements.” Please review these requirements carefully.
Upload and complete these required forms:
· SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
· SF424A (Budget Information)
· SF424B (Assurances)
· Project Narrative Form (in English)
· Applicant Organizational Information Form
· Budget Proposal (in USD)
Submit all forms in electronic format to Rabatgrants@state.gov no later than Sunday July 24, 2022, at midnight.
All questions about the Coalition Training for Women Parliamentarians should be addressed to:
Content of Application
Please ensure that:
• The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity
• All documents are in English
• All budgets are in U.S. Dollars
• All pages are numbered
• All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper, and
• All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.
Eligibility Requirements:
Any applicant listed on the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” Additionally, no entity listed on the EPLS can participate in any activities under an award. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the EPLS in SAM to ensure that no ineligible entity is included.
All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations. All are free of charge:
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov
- NCAGE/CAGE code
- www.SAM.gov registration
Submit all forms in electronic format to Rabatgrants@state.gov no later than Sunday July 24, 2022, at midnight.
All questions about the Alumni Summit NOFO should be addressed to: Rabatgrants@state.gov
