The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications (proposals for funding) from U.S. or non-U.S. non-profit or for-profit nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other qualified non-USG organizations to implement the Strengthening Civil Society and Independent Media Project in Belarus. Please refer to the Program Description (RFA section C) for a complete statement of goals and expected results. The authority for this RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Subject to the availability of funds, USAID plans to provide a maximum of $12,000,000 to be allocated over a five-year period. USAID intends to award a single cooperative agreement as a result of this solicitation.
Subject to the availability of funds, USAID plans to provide a maximum of $12,000,000 to be allocated over a five-year period. USAID intends to award a single cooperative agreement as a result of this solicitation.
Program Objectives:
The Strengthening Civil Society, Civic Engagement and Independent Media in Belarus Program will focus on the following major objectives:
Objective 1 (35%): Strengthen formal and informal civic groups, movements and individuals in the selected priority sectors to increase capacity in order to advocate for change.
Objective 2 (25%): Increase the number of grassroots initiatives which create avenues for citizen involvement in addressing issues of concern at both local and national levels.
Objective 3 (30%): Increase the flow of and access to independent information for Belarusian citizens.
Objective 4 (10%): Nurture the culture of voluntary civic participation of Belarusian citizens through civic education.
Activities:
The program shall at a minimum engage in the activities discussed below; additional innovative, transparent, and participatory activities are desired.
– Demand-driven, hand-in-hand, consistent, in-country coaching, consulting, mentoring, and peer support, via a cadre of Belarusian/Russian speaking consultants, for local and regional media outlets, journalists, and media associations on topics such as, but not limited to:
Capacity development of multimedia, topic-specific journalism skills (e.g., health, financial, education, legal reporting); Editorial techniques and shared best practices; Business, financial and operations management; Online news, data visualization and other multimedia applications; Social media integration; Advocacy networking, coalition building and links to international media support organizations; Legal support and security training for journalists and other media practitioners;
– Cross border exchanges to increase awareness of how media and civil society works in other countries;
– Support to regionally based media platforms;
– Support for media to cover local, regional and national civic initiatives;
– Regional media workshops and event coverage.
Deadline for submitting the applications is July 27, 2011
For more information and details, please visit this link and search the Funding Opportunity Number RFA-113-11-000001
