NOFO: Supporting Civic Engagement in the Electoral Processes in Africa
Deadline: 2-May-22
The Bureau of African Affairs’ Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (AF/PDPA) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to organize a democracy practitioners’ conference and provide ongoing support to nongovernmental efforts to promote accountability and greater civic engagement in priority African countries scheduled to hold elections in 2022 and 2023.
The program consists of two key components. The first is a two-day conference for 50-65 participants including mid-level journalists, civil society activists, and democracy practitioners from Sub-Saharan African countries with elections scheduled for 2022 or 2023. The conference, (ideally 5 from each participating country plus host count country participants) should be in person, if possible, in a country which has sufficient political space for robust participation of host country activists especially in discussing sensitive political challenges. If an in-person conference is not feasible, the grantee should consult closely with AF/PDPA about the possibility of organizing a virtual conference or series. The conference itself should feature a combination of U.S. and African experts who can exchange perspectives on best practices in meeting the challenges of democratization and developing strategies to promote accountability of political and governmental actors and deeper civic engagement by citizens throughout the electoral cycle including the post-electoral process.
Specifically, the conference should offer a platform for American and African practitioners to provide training on best practices and strategic approaches, especially in working in difficult and highly charged political environments. American participants will share perspectives on American best practices on civic engagement and electoral best practice and will compliment African perspectives on the same subjects.
Goal: To convey information to an African audience about U.S. policies, values, and experiences around participatory democracy, civic engagement, and electoral best practice, combined with African experiences on the same issues. This will be accomplished by organizing training session, supporting and creating a network of likeminded civil society activists and journalists working to create inclusive and transparent electoral processes in African countries with elections scheduled for 2022 and 2023, and follow-on activities.
Objectives
Support 50-65civil society representatives and journalists engaged in improving the electoral processes (including pre-electoral, electoral, and post-electoral) with upcoming elections in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
Underscore our enduring commitment to the democratic aspirations of the continent’s people, especially its youth.
Create implementable local action plans to support elections processes in the above countries.
Funding Information
Length of performance period: 12 months
Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amount and available funding)
Total available funding: $500,000
Audience: The target audience is governmental and nongovernmental actors who support expanding or consolidating democratic norms and institutions. In a continent where the median age is twenty, we will target a general audience of potential democracy allies and advocates aiming strategically at young people who make up a sizeable portion of the continent’s overall population.
Priority Region: Sub-Saharan African countries with elections scheduled for 2022 or 2023, including: Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe. While Kenya has elections scheduled for August and Angola has elections scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2022, these dates could shift. If their elections happen before the conference, participants can share their observations and best practices.
Responsibilities
Participating in the design and direction of program activities;
Approval of key personnel;
Finalizing selection of program participants who will be recruited by the cooperating agency;
Approving and providing input for all program agendas and timelines;
Reserving the right to have input on final course presenters and speaker selections;
Providing final approval, after thorough consultation with the cooperating agency, of all courses and schedule and content of in-person training;
Providing guidance in the execution of all project components;
Arranging for U.S. Department of State speakers during the program;
Advising and consulting about program emergencies;
Serving as liaison with Public Affairs Sections (PAS) of U.S. Embassies in Africa, and AF/PDPA at the Department of State.
NOTE: All materials, publicity, and correspondence related to the program must acknowledge this as a program of the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State. The Bureau will retain copyright use of and distribute materials related to this program as it sees fit.
Eligibility Criteria
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=339101