The Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) at the US Department of State has announced the FY 2010 Funding Opportunity for NGO programs benefiting Tibetan refugees in South Asia, especially India, Nepal, and, to a lesser extent, Bhutan. The projects will be implemented for a period of twelve months. Following are priorities identified by PRM:
“(a) Proposed activities should primarily support Tibetan refugees in South Asia. Successful proposals will seek to address the needs of Tibetan refugees in both India and Nepal, although applicants may also submit proposals targeted to one or the other of these sub-populations.
(b) Proposals must focus on at least one of the following sectors: Protection (including prevention and response to gender-based violence), Health and Nutrition, and Livelihoods (including education). In Nepal, proposals may also address needs in the Water and Sanitation sector.
(c) PRM will accept proposals from any NGO working in the above mentioned sectors although, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to proposals from organizations that can demonstrate:
- In Nepal, a working relationship with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), current UNHCR funding, and/or a letter of support from UNHCR for the proposed activities and/or overall country program (this letter should highlight the gap in services the proposed program is designed to address);
- A proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and specified location;
- Evidence of coordination with international organizations (IOs) and other NGOs working in the same area or sector as well as local authorities, including Tibetan settlement officers and, in India, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). NGOs are encouraged to submit proposals that complement existing protection and assistance activities for Tibetans in South Asia.
- A concrete implementation plan with well-conceived objectives and indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and reliable, time-bound and trackable (SMART), have established baselines, and include at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective;
- A budget that is appropriate for meeting the objectives and demonstrates co-funding by non-US government sources;
- Appropriate targeting of beneficiaries in coordination with other relevant organizations. Because of PRM’s mandate to provide protection, assistance, and sustainable solutions for refugees and victims of conflict, PRM considers funding only those projects that include a target beneficiary base of at least 50% refugees.
- Adherence to relevant international standards for humanitarian assistance. See FY2010 General PRM NGO Guidelines for a complete list of sector-specific standards.”
There are also country-specific instructions. The proposal deadline submission is 30 March 2010. For more information, visit this link.
