Department of State Public Notice Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for Proposals: Elections, Political Participation and Consensus Building for countries in Africa, the Near East, and South Asia. SUMMARY The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting proposals for projects that support elections, promote political participation and consensus building for countries in Africa (Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and Uganda), the Near East (Lebanon and Tunisia), and South Asia (Afghanistan). PLEASE NOTE: DRL strongly urges applicants to access immediately www.grants.gov in order to obtain a username and password. It may take up to a week to register with grants.gov. Please see the section entitled, “DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS” below for specific instructions. REQUESTED PROPOSAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES DRL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program concepts and capacity to manage projects targeting the following issues: Africa: Central African Republic (approximately $750,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to develop and build the capacity of human rights NGOs and to use radio, the most effective medium in the CAR, as a tool to build civil society capacity. Radio should be used to increase sustainable links between citizens, civil society, and elected representatives in an informative and interactive dialogue on issues regarding human rights—including impunity and endemic corruption—as well as democracy and civic participation, including in the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for 2010. This dialogue, the reach of which should extend beyond the capital to other urban centers and rural areas throughout the country, should directly involve and help build the capacity of local human rights NGOs focusing on issues such as impunity, arbitrary arrest and detention, corruption, torture, judicial independence, women’s and children’s rights, press freedom, and electoral integrity. The dialogue should aim to increase citizens’ understanding of human rights and their engagement in the political process, and it should incorporate the participation of elected representatives and other government officials. Cote d’Ivoire (approximately $750,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to monitor the elections preparations process and the conduct of elections in Cote d'Ivoire, including the training of local election observers. Togo (approximately $800,000 available): DRL seeks proposals to build the capacity of civil society organizations to participate in the 2010 presidential election process through collaboration with the Electoral Commission on one or more of the following election-related activities: voter registration, election observation, and/or adjudication of post-election disputes. Activities that specifically include a youth component are encouraged. Applicants interested in applying for a grant in Togo must currently be operating in the region and have the ability to immediately initiate program activities upon receipt of funding. Uganda (approximately $550,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that provide voter civic education in the lead up to and during the 2011 elections. Near East: Lebanon (approximately $700,000 available): DRL seeks to fund programs that provide support for media organizations to develop media coverage and monitoring of the 2010 municipal elections and electoral process; public awareness campaigns on citizen rights and responsibilities during the elections; and initiatives that empower youth participation in the elections. DRL welcomes proposals that focus on organizations outside the capital, on youth media groups, and that include training and/or small grants components. Tunisia (approximately $400,000 available): DRL seeks to fund programs that promote the participation of women in political processes and promote the empowerment of women to become a part of political dialogue by educating them on innovative methods of engagement and participation. South Asia: Afghanistan (approximately $600,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that support civic education by local civil society groups in preparation for the 2010 parliamentary and district elections. Applicants are encouraged to work with organizations such as Afghan Women’s Network and Afghan Civil Society Forum. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Proposals should conform to DRL’s posted Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI), available at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/p/c26119.htm. (For this solicitation, applicants must use the Revised PSI dated June 2008.) An organization may submit no more than three (3) proposals. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of the announcement and PSI may not be considered. Proposals that combine target countries and/or themes may be deemed technically ineligible. Proposals that request less than the award floor or more than the award ceiling will be deemed technically ineligible. Funding Opportunity Number: DRL-09-ELECTIONS-081309. Funding Instrument: G. Category: O. Award Amount: $300K – $800K per award.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Proposals (RFP) from organizations with the capacity to launch of buyer-supplier dialogues in China through a cooperative agreement. The purpose of the dialogues is to identify and develop innovative approaches to address root causes of labor rights violations in the buyer-supplier relationship in order to improve working conditions. Participants will include U.S. manufacturers subcontracting operations to China (“buyers”) from relevant industries, Chinese suppliers, researchers from the U.S. and China, CSR and labor rights advocates, representatives from Chinese civil society and unions representing worker interests, and, in consultation with DRL, representatives of the U.S. and PRC governments. Funding Opportunity Number: DRL-11-LABOR-120309. Assistance Listing: 19.345. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: O. Award Amount: Up to $350K per award.

1) Great Lakes Regional Women’s Journalist Program (approximately $685,000 available):See Application Package for more details. 2) Strengthening Judicial Capacity in the Great Lakes Region (approximately $150,000 available): See Application Package for more details. Funding Opportunity Number: DRLA-DRLAQM-11-AF-030912. Assistance Listing: 19.345. Funding Instrument: G. Category: O. Award Amount: $100K – $685K per award.

This is a “Follow-on” project to expand an existing partnership to include more grade levels and implement a student summer science program which combines hands-on science education, trail maintenance and habitat enhancement project activities. SUSD will assist BLM in developing and presenting site-specific “hands-on”, interactive natural and heritage resource educational programs and products for K-12 audiences. Programs will be correlated to California State Educational standards, and shall be developed in collaboration with BLM and partner technical experts to be culturally relevant to the student population and accurately and respectfully interpret local Native American culture. SUSD will utilize the expertise of its Native American Education program and shall work closely with local tribes and BLM to develop programs to meet mutual goals. Programs and products will emphasize “Tread Lightly!” and “Leave No Trace” principles and practices in order to foster a new generation of responsible outdoor recreationists and land users. Funding Opportunity Number: CA-NOI-08-0013. Assistance Listing: 15.225. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ED. Award Amount: $30K – $374K per award.

The Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, intends to award a cooperative agreement with the Colorado State University to investigate the distribution, abundance, and habitat use of hornyhead chub in the Lower Laramie River Drainage. The anticipated length of the project is a 3 year period. The BLM will consider continued funding for the project upon (a) the recipient showing progress satisfactory to the BLM toward program goals and the determination by the BLM that continuation of the program would be in the best interest of the Government or (b) the availability of funds. The total project period for this award will not exceed 37 months. Funding Opportunity Number: WY-NOI08-9018. Assistance Listing: 15.231. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: NR. Award Amount: Up to $77K per award.