Deadline: 8 August 2019

U.S. Embassy in Nepal is currently accepting proposals from interested non-profit organizations to organize a three-day Regional TechCamp for youths to promote good governance.

The U.S. Embassy Kathmandu plans to conduct a youth-focused three-day regional TechCamp in Nepal with the goal of promoting good governance.  PAS in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India will select five participants each to take part in the TechCamp and PAS Kathmandu will select 30 participants.  PAS Kathmandu will identify an experienced implementing partner for the project.  The partner will be responsible to coordinate with other Embassies/Posts and to implement the program.  The partner will also select seven mentors/trainers with the Embassy’s approval to guide and motivate the participants before, during, and after the TechCamp.   The participants will come up with unique solutions to improve the governance situation in the region.  This competition will also promote regional connectivity as youth from various regional countries will collaborate to find solutions to common problems hindering (could use thwarting) good governance.  They will participate in multiple groups throughout the program that will strengthen collaboration.  There final group project proposals will be grouped by country.

PAS Kathmandu Nepal will select an organization and oversee the organization to:

• Organize at least 20 Boot Camps—both in-person and virtual—to train over 500 potential participants for the TechCamp.
• Collaborate with PAS Kathmandu to select 50 youth—30 from Nepal and 5 each from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India— to organize the good governance TechCamp. Candidates will have to attend a Boot Camp to be eligible to apply for the TechCamp.
• Ensure at least 50% of the participants are female.
• Arrange travels, accommodation, and incidental expenses for all the participants to come to Kathmandu in March 2020 for a 3-day (4 nights) residential Regional TechCamp.
• Collaborate with PAS Kathmandu to select at least four experts and trainers from outside Nepal. At least one of the experts will be from the U.S. and the remaining experts/trainers will be from South Central Asia. Partner organization will coordinate their travels, accommodation, and per diem.
• Work with, mentor, and fund the top three groups of the TechCamp participants to implement their projects and to come up with a tangible product. At least $20,000 will be set aside for this purpose.

The proposed project will:

• Help top teams to implement their projects which will in turn improve governance in the region.
• Build a network of good governance cadre of youth in the region who will continue to work in the project even after the TechCamp.
• Assist in regional connectivity as youth across the region will come together to improve the governance situation in the region.
• Build a qualified cadre of youth to implement Training of Trainers (ToTs) and to engage with other good governance projects in the region.

Funding Information

• Subject to availability of funds, the U.S. Embassy will provide a funding of $103,750 to cover all costs of the project. Although cost-sharing or matching is encouraged, it’s not mandatory.
• Length of performance period: one year from the contract signing date.

Audience

The general public and students between the ages 18 and 30 are eligible for this TechCamp.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • All U.S. and Nepali organizations with relevant experience registered as:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• This status should be documented in the organization’s proposal. Organizations must provide proof of registration and non-profit status with their proposal application.  U.S.-based organizations should submit a copy of their IRS determination letter.  Nepal-based organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization.

How to Apply

Proposals should be submitted in English via email at the address given on the website, with the subject line “Proposal for Regional TechCamp on Good Governance”.

For more information, please visit https://np.usembassy.gov/notice-of-funding-opportunity-nofo/?fbclid=IwAR1yQsj48x0XjTNs7quCKJpYlcPJAJdhooK3ACsvUifDiJsR-cUnmSnVjfs