Afghanistan

U.S. Mission to Afghanistan: Youth Debate Training and Competition

Deadline: 20 June 2016

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is seeking proposals from eligible organizations for Youth Debate Training and Competition intending Afghan youth to develop skills required for successful civic engagement (e.g., public speaking, critical thinking, team-building, in-depth research) through formal debate training and competition.

Funding Information

The Base Period award floor and ceiling are set at $70,000 and $100,000.
PAS intends to award a cooperative agreement for a period of 12 months (base period) with options for two additional 12-month periods (option years one and two).

Benefits

This cooperative agreement will fund debate training and a series of debate competitions throughout Afghanistan, culminating in a final round of competition in Kabul, Afghanistan.
This youth debate program will create opportunities for women and men between the ages of 18 and 30 from provinces across Afghanistan to develop important skills for successful civic engagement, including public speaking, critical thinking, team-building, and in-depth research.
The Youth Debate Training and Competition is intended to help build people-to-people ties and strengthen checks and balances.
By training young Afghan men and women and providing opportunities for them to practice the skills required to succeed in a formal debate competition, this project will contribute to the strengthening of civil society.
The debates will be conducted in English using an internationally recognized debate format, which will further complement the goals of the project.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is open to all non-profit, non-governmental organizations.
Organizations may subcontract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award.
For profit entitles are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award.
When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
Applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c)(3) status, Afghan NGO license).
Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered.
Individuals are not eligible for an award.
There is no limit on the number of applications an entity may submit
Previous federal award recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of the award, including the financial and program reporting requirements, are not eligible for an award
Applicants are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists or their supporters is a condition of award.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit their applications electronically via given website.

For more information, please visit Youth Debate Training and Competition.

U.S. Mission to Afghanistan: Model United Nations Conference in Kabul

Deadline: 16 June 2016

Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is seeking proposals from eligible organisations for a Model United Nations (UN) Conference in Kabul, Afghanistan intending Afghan youth to develop important skills including public speaking, English language, critical thinking, and conflict resolution that are critical to Afghanistan’s national development and for students’ academic successes.

The Model UN Conference in Kabul is intended to help build people to people ties and strengthen institutional checks and balances via strengthened civil society.

Funding Information

The Base Period award floor is set at $80,000. The Base Period award ceiling is set at $100,000.
PAS intends to award a cooperative agreement for a period of 12 months (base period) with options for two additional 12-month periods (option years one and two).

Benefits

The Model UN Conference in Kabul will include only university students in Afghanistan as participants.
The training workshops and all Model UN proceedings (e.g., preparation of position papers, debates, caucusing) will be conducted in English.
Afghan university students between the ages of 18 and 30 will be recruited and training workshops will be conducted in four or five provinces.
A series of training workshops to increase awareness of UN procedures and rules of order will be conducted in the selected provinces in Afghanistan.
The training will promote the development of skills needed to successfully participate as a Model UN delegate.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is open to all non-profit, non-governmental organizations.
Organizations may subcontract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award.
For profit entitles are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award.
When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
Applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c)(3) status, Afghan NGO license).
Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered.
Individuals are not eligible for an award.
There is no limit on the number of applications an entity may submit
Previous federal award recipients who are not/were not in compliance with the terms of the award, including the financial and program reporting requirements, are not eligible for an award
Applicants are advised that successful passing of vetting to evaluate the risk that funds may benefit terrorists or their supporters is a condition of award.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit their applications electronically via given website.

For more information, please visit Model United Nations Conference in Kabul.

Public Affairs Section: Afghanistan-Pakistan Partnership Summit

Deadline: 14 June 2016

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is seeking proposals from eligible organisations for Afghanistan-Pakistan Partnership Summit to support at least 18 and up to 30 participants, approximately 15 from Afghanistan and 15 from Pakistan, with equal representation from the two countries, who will discuss areas of future cooperation between the two countries in specific sectors of interest.

Goals

Promote regional integration by facilitating a dialogue on cooperation in sectors key to the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship;
Promote economic and professional linkages between Afghanistan and Pakistan in support of economic growth and civil society participation;
Develop an action plan or road map which outlines paths to increased cooperation in key sectors

Proposal Priorities

Proposals should also describe:

The applicant’s proposed schedule and agenda for the program, including how activities under the three pillars might overlap or be conducted separately;
The applicant’s previous experience conducting short-term study or training tours in theS. or the region for foreign professionals;
Any personnel or partner organizations that will play a role in conducting training exercises or seminars, along with the qualifications of those personnel or organizations.

Funding Information: The award floor for the base period and each option year is set at $150,000. The award ceiling is set at $225,000 for the base year and for each of the two option years

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is open to all non-profit, non-governmental organizations. Organizations may subcontract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award.
When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
Applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c)(3) status, Afghan NGO license).
Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered.
Individuals are not eligible.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit their applications electronically via given website.

For more information, please visit Afghanistan-Pakistan Partnership Summit.

Apply for ESD Scholarship Programme 2016-2017 in Estonia!

Deadline: 31 May 2016

Estonian School of Diplomacy (ESD) is currently inviting applicants from young diplomats and civil servants for its training program International Relations and European Integration taking place at the Estonian School of Diplomacy in Tallinn. The training course includes three thematic modules:

International Relations
European Studies
Diplomatic Studies

Scholarship Covers

tuition fee
monthly allowance (450 EUR)
accommodation in Tallinn (incl. utilities and internet connection)
health insurance in Estonia during the studies
cost of Schengen visa and Estonian residence permit
scholarship does NOT cover the costs of travel to and from Tallinn

Eligible Countries

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Nepal, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Tunisia.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Holds the citizenship of Eligible Countries (mentioned above).
Is not older than 35 years (when applying).
Has very good command of English (speaking, reading, writing skills are required on the level of advanced).
Is currently employed by the foreign or civil service of the above listed countries and has been employed there at least one year.
Is highly motivated to learn about international relations and related disciplines.
Priority will be given for the candidates strongly motivated to continue their professional careers within the service of their respective country/territory.
Is hard working, co-operative and ready for cross-cultural study environment.

How to Apply

Applicants must fill the application form via given website.

For more information, please visit Scholarship Programme.

Public Affairs Section: Strengthening Afghanistan National Strategic Communications

Deadline: 20 May 2016

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is inviting all eligible organizations to submit a proposal for providing an advisory services to the Afghan Government’s Office of Public and Strategic Affairs to include a review of the government’s message dissemination and formulation structures, collection and analysis of citizens’ feedback, and production of content suitable for use by the media.

The project will strengthen the Afghan Government’s national strategic communications and will reinforce its efforts to be publicly accountable to its citizens by openly and transparently communicating the government’s achievements to the press and public.

Objectives

Support of Management Structures
Improvement of Message Dissemination
Analysis of Feedback
Media Production of Public Content

Proposal Priorities

A detailed implementation plan that shows a thorough understanding of the project’s objectives and the applicant’s approach to achieving them.
A detailed monitoring and evaluation plan including methodology, indicators and how activities, events or achievements will be recorded.
An outline of how the applicant will address the technical aspects of the objectives.

Funding Information

The award floor for the base period is set at $1,000,000. The award ceiling for the base period is set at $1,200,000.
PAS intends to award a grant for a period of 12 months (base period) with an option for one additional 12 month period (option year one).

Eligibility Criteria

This project will be funded by Economic Support Funds and authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act and is subject to the statutory limitations of such funding.
Eligibility is open to all types of applicants except for 1) individuals and 2) government entities.
Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one entity can be the prime recipient of the award.
When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit their application material electronically via given website.

For more information, please visit Afghanistan National Strategic Communications.

Food & Business Applied Research Fund: Apply to win up to 300,000 Euros

Deadline: 5 July 2016

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) is currently seeking applications for its Food & Business Applied Research Fund (ARF), providing grants to applied research contributing to innovation for food security and private sector development in the 15 partner countries of Dutch development cooperation.

ARF aims at promoting research supported innovations that are readily applicable and contribute to the enhancement of sustainable food security for the most vulnerable populations in the fifteen partner countries of Dutch development cooperation.

Grant Value

A grant amounts to a minimum of 50,000 euros (for six months) and a maximum of 300,000 euros (for 36 months). Per 6 months a maximum of 50,000 euros ARF subsidy can be applied for.

Grants should contribute directly to the project. Reimbursable cost includes:

Personnel and overhead: Salaries for personnel, which should be guided by the organisations’ norms and legal regulations for the country concerned.
Audit costs: for a final external independent audit up to a maximum of 5,000 euros, so as to review and verify the correct application and justification of the ARF grant and the co-funding contributions.
Travel and accommodation: Travel and accommodation expenses for consortium partners and of the expenses incurred in short trips (<3 months) of team members directly related to the project up to a maximum of 20 per cent of the ARF grant budget.
Research costs: durables (buildings excluded), consumables, assistance.
Knowledge sharing costs: activities organised by the consortium, such as workshops (including evaluation workshops), capacity building, meetings, local/regional dissemination of results aimed at involving stakeholders from outside the consortium up to a maximum of 15 per cent of the ARF grant budget.

Eligibility Criteria

A consortium applying for the ARF should consist of at least two partners that integrate different kinds of knowledge and execute a project as an effort of co-creation:

A private or public practitioner organisation registered in one of the fifteen partner countries of Dutch development cooperation acting as the main applicant.
A research organisation from a partner country or from the Netherlands, acting as co-applicant.
In case the organisation/company is not a local branch of a Dutch partner or the research organisation is not from the Netherlands, a third co-applicant is required, that is from The Netherlands. This can be a private or public practitioner organisation or a research organisation.

In the execution of the project at least one researcher from a partner country must be involved (not necessarily as consortium member). The involvement of additional partners, acting as co-applicant is encouraged. Next to this, gender expertise and female participation is required in the consortium and/or the project team.

Eligible Partner Countries

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Yemen.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through an online process.

For more information, please visit Applied Research Fund.

EU: Thematic Programme Support to Civil Society Organizations in Afghanistan

Deadline: 23 May 2016

The European Union is currently accepting proposals from eligible organisations for its Thematic Programme “Civil Society Organisations” with an aim to promote dialogue, the accountability and transparency of state entities.

Objectives

To strengthen the collective voice and participation of grassroots civil society, including through community-based monitoring, demanding transparency and accountability from the government.
To develop capacity of CSOs on good governance practices, policy reform, networking and collective advocacy on reform, transparency and accountability.
To enhance responsiveness and accountability of local authorities to deliver services and promote the rights and entitlements of communities and citizens.

Thematic Areas

Justice sector reform
Social services including health and education
Security sector
Agriculture and rural development
Mineral sector and extractive industries
Urban development, including land management and housing

Size of Grants

Any grant requested under this Call for Proposals must fall between EUR 1,800,000 and EUR 1,900,000.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
- be a legal person
- be non-profit-making
- be established in a Member State of the European Union or Afghanistan
- be Civil Society Organisations , constituted in accordance with the legislation in force in Afghanistan and/or Member State of the European Union or in any eligible countries as per the relevant provisions of the EU CIR
- be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary
Potential applicants may not participate in calls for proposals or be awarded grants if they are in any of the situations.
The lead applicant must act with co-applicant(s) as specified hereafter.
Co-applicants participate in designing and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the lead applicant.

How to Apply

The application procedure consists of two phases:
- Concept notes
- Full applications
In the first instance, only concept notes must be submitted for evaluation. Thereafter, lead applicants who have been pre-selected will be invited to submit a full application.
In order to apply for the program, the applicants have to register themselves in PADOR, an on-line database via given website.

For more information, please visit Europeaid and download the guidelines.

U.S. Mission to Afghanistan: US-China Training Programs for Afghan Cooperation and Reconstruction

Deadline: 25 May 2016

U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan is seeking proposals from the eligible organisations for the U.S.-China Training Programs for Afghan Cooperation and Reconstruction, an open competition for an assistance award for a cooperative agreement to implement:

A two-week training program in the U.S. for up to 15 Afghan professionals in a specific sector of Afghan development (e.g. agriculture).
A second, preferably concurrent, two-week training program in the U.S. for up to 15 Afghan professionals in a separate development sector (e.g. public health).

Goals

Build the capacity of personnel in key sectors of the Afghan government, economy, or civil society, thereby enhancing their ability to work cooperatively and effectively with the U.S. government and other countries and strengthen reconstruction efforts,
Promote regional integration by facilitating a dialogue on cooperation, regional stability and economic and diplomatic linkages for Afghan professionals in key sectors.

Proposals Priorities

Proposals should describe:

The applicant’s previous experience conducting short-term study or training tours in the U.S. for foreign professionals to include arranging international travel and high level meetings with various government and non-governmental audiences;
The applicant’s proposed schedule and agenda for each of the two programs, including how they might overlap and have common activities;
Any personnel or partner organizations that will play a role in conducting training exercises or seminars, along with the qualifications of those personnel or organizations

Award Information

The award floor for the base period and each option year is set at $175,000.
The award ceiling is set at $250,000 for the base year and for each of the two option years
Public Affairs Section (PAS) intends to award a cooperative agreement for a period of 12 months (base period) with options for two additional 12 month periods (option years one and two).

Eligibility Criteria

The project will be funded by an appropriation for Diplomatic and Consular Programs and authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961 (as amended), and is subject to the statutory limitations of such funding.
Eligibility is open to all non-profit, non-governmental organizations.
Organizations may subcontract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award.
For profit entitles are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award.
When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
Applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c)(3) status, Afghan NGO license).
Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered.
Individuals are not eligible for an award.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit their application materials via given website.

For more information, please visit US-China Training Programs for Afghan.

2016/2017 GERDA HENKEL Fellowship: Research in fields of Humanities & Social Sciences

Deadline: 31 July 2016

The Centre for Advanced Study Sofia (CAS Sofia) is seeking applications for its 2016/2017 GERDA HENKEL Fellowship for fundamental research in the fields of the humanities and the social sciences.

CAS Sofia invites outstanding scholars to pursue their individual research projects during in-residence periods of up to five months.

Benefits

A monthly stipend of 750 euro (liable to 10% income tax) to cover living expenses related to the stay in Sofia
Accommodation in Sofia, comprising living quarters and working space. The Fellows will also have free access to the CAS library and electronic resources/databases
Travel from the home country to Sofia and back, visa and insurance costs (up to 850 Euro);
Research field trip abroad during the fellowship period – up to1500 Euros (a one-time allowance)
Research expenses (100 euro per month)

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

Be citizens of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Belarus, China (permanent residence in Tibet or Xinjiang Autonomous Regions), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
Have completed a PhD in the fields of the humanities and social sciences
International research experience (participation in projects and refereed conferences) and publications in peer-reviewed academic editions are strong advantages
Preference will be given to candidates below the age of 45

How to Apply

Applicants must download the application form via given website.

All application documents should be presented in English.

For more information, please visit GERDA HENKEL Fellowship.

European Instrument for Democarcy & Human Rights: Supporting Human Right Defenders and Women

Deadline: 22 May 2016

The European Union is currently accepting proposals from eligible organizations for its European Instrument for Democarcy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Programme. The EIDHR represents a self-standing financial instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide.

Objectives

Support to Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders in situations where they are most at risk
Support to other EU Human Rights Priorities
Support to Democracy
EU Election Observation
Support to targeted key actors and processes, including international and regional human rights instruments and mechanisms

Size of Grants

Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:

Minimum amount: EUR 750 000
Maximum amount: EUR 800 000

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
- be a legal person or and
- be non-profit-making and
Civil society organisations, including non-governmental non-profit organisations and independent political foundations, community based organisations, and private sector nonprofit agencies, institutions and organisations, and networks thereof at local, national, regional and international level;
Public sector non-profit agencies, institutions and organisations and networks at local, national, regional, and international level; and
Be established in Afghanistan for at least two years, or be established in a Member State of the European Union.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted in accordance with the concept note instructions in the grant application form via given website.
Applicants must apply in English.

For more information, please visit EIDHR Programme.