Since its independence from the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has periodically lacked political stability, peace and economic prosperity. The State has faced increasing challenges to meet its core functions of providing basic physical security, basic human rights and maximizing economic opportunity. The political and social upheavals of 2005 and 2010 have challenged the basic social contract between the people of Kyrgyzstan and their State. US Government efforts in Kyrgyzstan seek to support Kyrgyzstan’s democratic efforts and to minimize the possibility of a re-emergence of political violence. What happens in Kyrgyzstan over the next decade will be a powerful example to others in the broader region.
Against this backdrop, the US Government has mobilized resources to address the sources of political instability and violent conflict.
USAID is seeking applications from all qualified organizations from prospective partners that are either Private Voluntary Organizations based in the United States (U.S. PVOs) or indigenous, local NGOs (LNGOs), Public International Organizations (PIO) and International Organizations (10), U.S. and Non-U.S. For-Profit Organizations, U.S. and Non-U.S. Colleges and Universities to carry out activities that contribute to the programs for conflict mitigation and democratization in Kyrgyzstan thereby minimizing the risk of instability and violent conflict, and strengthening the social contract between citizens and the Government of Kyrgyzstan.
The purpose of this APS is to disseminate information to prospective applicants so that they may develop and submit applications for USAID funding. This APS: (A) describes the types of activities for which applications will be considered; (B) describes the funding available and the process and a requirement for submitting applications; and (C) explains the criteria which will be used for evaluating applications. USAID anticipates awarding one or more grants and/or cooperative agreements as a result of this APS.
USAID expects that the total level of funding available under this APS for activities in Kyrgyzstan is estimated up to $9 million.
Objectives:
USAID seeks innovative approaches designed to make progress towards or to reach one or more of the following objectives:
– Build the capacity of one or more local organizations to carry out survey and focus group data collection on political vulnerability analysis and derive trend analysis from periodic/quarterly outputs;
– Local organization(s) or research institute(s) is recognized as a provider of objective conflict research and analysis and consistently informs governing authorities on stability and conflict trends;
– Conduct the survey, hold focus groups and document individual respondent interviews throughout the country;
– Identify key underlining concerns to local and national level policy makers (including, but not limited to the Presidential Administration, municipal administrations and the Jorkuku Kenesh) including public hearings on the data through quarterly/periodic presentations;
– Governing bodies make key policy decisions with broad-based acceptance on the informed analytical research in order to diffuse tensions and decrease the possibility of conflict;
– Media outlets/KTR broadcast key data points to a wider national audience in a responsible, objective and innovative manner;
– Analytical data is utilized for early warning with local formal and informal community leaders and through networks;
– Local community leadership (including traditional and religious leaders) discuss survey data with their constituents.
Deadline for submitting the concept notes in first round is July 7, 2011
For more details and information, please visit this link and search the Funding Opportunity Number APS-176-11-000001
