The US Department of State Bureau of African Affairs has released a new Cooperative Agreement opportunity called “Abyei Civil Society Strengthening Pilot Program”, solicitation number AFPG-AFUSSES-15-003. The selected project will run for 12 to 24 months, with no specified start date. The project will focus on the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities in Abyei, Sudan and South Sudan.
Funder: The opportunity is funded by the US Department of State’s Office of the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, in conjunction with the U.S. Embassies in Khartoum and Juba. The US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan’s vision is a Sudan and South Sudan that are at peace internally, with one another, and with their neighbors.
Eligibility: Organizations submitting proposals must meet the following criteria -
• Be an educational institution or non-profit organization, foreign and domestic, or a foreign public entity. • Be registered in SAM.gov.
Due Date: August 7, 2015.
Questions Due Date: None.
Award Ceiling: $250,000.
Cost Share: Encouraged but not required.
Goal: To make initial efforts at reinvigorating civil society in both Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities so they may be positive agents for change and help fill the vacuum in lieu of formal joint administration.
Objectives: The overall U.S. objective for Abyei is that it is politically stable, economically prosperous, and enjoys a seamless, transparent and peaceful transition to final status.
This objective will be supported through the program by:
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Reinvigorating civil society in both Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities so they may be positive agents for change and help fill the vacuum in lieu of formal joint administration.
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Seeking out existing or former elements of organized civil society, to: a. Gain a better understanding of the current civil society landscape in the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities to better develop strategies aimed at strengthening their capacity; b. Help facilitate efforts for civil society in both communities to reestablish themselves as organized groups (formal or informal); and c. Provide support for logistics, facilitating meetings, and developing goals and action plans.
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Developing recommendations to build on the initial pilot program aimed at further strengthening and solidifying civil society organizations in the Abyei area.
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Coordinating closely with other U.S. government programs in Abyei, particularly USAID/Sudan and South Sudan programs.
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Identifying of former and current civil society elements, and prospects for building upon or rebuilding organized groups.
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Facilitating at least two meetings of organized civil society group within each community (four total).
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Developing goals and action plans for at least one organization within each community (two total).
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Producing a final report and recommendations on how to strengthen civil society in Abyei.
Reporting Requirements: The grantee will be required to develop a work plan, within 30 days of award notification. The grantee is required to submit quarterly progress reports through the grantsolutions.gov system and quarterly financial reports through the grantsolutions.gov system and the Payment Management System. Final programmatic and financial reports are due 90 days after the close of the project period.