Grants for Nonprofits - Federal

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Executive Summary: U.S. Embassy Dushanbes Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) announces an open competition to implement the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Tajikistan, a program that seeks to elevate the economic livelihood of 25 women in Panjakent District. The Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) is a global program that was established by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in 2019 to provide women with the knowledge, networks, and access to launch or scale successful businesses. By promoting womens economic opportunities and ensuring that women have the capabilities and resources needed to participate in the economy, the AWE program directly supports the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. Background: Due to the high rate of male labor migration and unemployment, more Tajik women are considering how to financially support their households. However, womens entrepreneurial activities are highly dependent on the effectiveness of the business environment in the country. Successful small business development creates new employment opportunities in Tajikistan and helps women support themselves and their families. Small businesses are fast becoming the main source of income for women in Tajikistan. Panjakent, a former trading city on the ancient Silk Road, is located in a strategic geographic area bordering Uzbekistan. After a 25-year hiatus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have restrengthened bilateral ties, and both countries are working to expand trade and economic cooperation with each other. In this manner, they have established free economic zones where businesspeople can put their ventures to work. The city of Panjakent and its surroundings is home to unique natural beauty, newly recognized UNESCO cultural heritage sites, and agricultural projects - all of which makes it a strategic location to empower women to advance economic and human development. The skills that women will learn through AWE will not only be valuable to establish stronger economic independence for themselves but also to contribute to more cross-border trade with neighboring Uzbekistan. Project Audience(s): The primary audience is approximately 25 Tajik women in Panjakent District who have some entrepreneurial skills, either with the capacity to scale-up current ventures in hospitality management, eco-tourism, and trade, or with experience working at local markets, such as in the areas of agricultural products, handicrafts, artisan products, or in service industries such as beauty parlors and sewing. Recruitment Criteria: a) Women aged 18 to 45. b) Holding high school and/or university degrees. c) Approximately 1-2 years business experience. d) Motivation to engage in long-term business or entrepreneurial activity. e) Must reside in the district of Panjakent or nearby villages. f) Womens leadership experience. g) Community service experience. h) Some English proficiency preferred, but not a requirement. In coordination with PDS Dushanbe, the implementer will organize informational meetings to spread the word about the project, its goals, objectives, and vision, and identify current or aspiring entrepreneurs in Panjakent District. This could include information sessions at American Space Panjakent and other relevant NGO offices and entities, but also outreach with flyers provided to target women working in local markets in the specified fields. Project Goal: To elevate the economic livelihood of current or aspiring women entrepreneurs in hospitality management, eco-tourism, trade, and handicrafts in Panjakent to support the tourism infrastructure of Panjakent District. Project Objectives: Objective 1: Improve women entrepreneurs confidence and motivation in pursuing and growing their businesses. Objective 2: Increase the ability of women from the Panjakent region to create and grow their businesses in hospitality management, eco-tourism, and trade through targeted training and mentorship activities. Training topics may include but are not limited to: U.S. small business best practices, business plan development, marketing, accounting, financial management, investment and financing, leadership, strategic planning, business registration, and more. Objective 3: Increase women entrepreneurs awareness and knowledge of tourism initiatives and business opportunities in Panjakent. Objective 4: Increase women entrepreneurs abilities to apply for funding opportunities, including grants, loans, and investments, to fuel their business growth and attract potential investors. Project Activities: Select 25 women entrepreneurs for the AWE project in Panjakent. Provide women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and access to launch or scale successful businesses in Panjakent through online and in-person trainings. This could include a mentoring program or other form of connection with the business community. Use the online training platform DreamBuilder to teach participants the fundamentals of starting or growing a small business from a U.S. perspective, offering modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, and includes a built-in business plan generator. Organize sessions to increase entrepreneurs understanding of the tourism potential of the region; this could include a three-day business tour to the city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, which holds high potential for cross-border tourism and trade. Organize and hold a final pitch event, inviting potential investors to provide feedback. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of Total available funding: $39,504 Award Ceiling: $39,504 Award Floor: $25,000 Type of Funding: ECA Anticipated program start date: September 1, 2024 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement Cooperative agreements are different from grants in that Embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation. The Department of State will be substantially involved in carrying out the following aspects of this cooperative agreement: 1) Selection of AWE personnel. 2) Selection of AWE participants. 3) Monitor AWE programming. 4) Connect recipient with the U.S. Alumni Network of Tajikistan (USANT) 5) Connect regional AWE alumni with the first cohort of 25 Tajik women entrepreneurs. 6) Publish a press release on project completion. 7) Produce a video on project accomplishments. Recipient Responsibilities: 1) Collaborate with PDS Dushanbe in selecting the participants for AWE programming. 2) Coordinate all logistics for the events including promotion, venue arrangements, set up and take down, monitoring and evaluation of the events. 3) Engage ECA exchange alumni in AWE programming. 4) Translate Dreambuilder Online Learning Platform from English into Tajik to conduct mentoring and facilitation in local languages (fundamentals of starting or growing a small business from a U.S. perspective, offering modules on marketing, pricing, and bookkeeping, and includes a built-in business plan generator.) 5) Strengthen communication, media, and outreach plans in collaboration with USANT. 6) Connect AWE alumni across the globe with dynamic U.S. experts who can engage both virtually and in person on entrepreneurship and innovation-related topics.t 7) Submit 2024-2025 AWE alumni data to PDS Dushanbe. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less. The Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State. Support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): All programs should consider strategies for expanding the pool of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries to afford opportunities for as diverse and inclusive population as is feasible to bring diverse perspectives based on religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, and age to implementation of the program. The Public Diplomacy Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated Grants Officer. C. ELIGIBILTY INFORMATION 1. Eligible Applicants The following not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply: Not-for-profit organizations Civil society/non-governmental organizations Public and private educational institutions Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be considered ineligible for funding. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity, but is encouraged, as well as potential public private partnerships.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for faculty and students at under-resourced academic institutions to collaborate with NASA on research projects, fostering mentorship and skill development in STEM fields.

The "DoD Bone Marrow Failure, Investigator-Initiated Research Award" is a grant that provides two levels of funding: one for expanding mature research ideas and key discoveries in bone marrow failure, and another for supporting the development of new drugs for bone marrow failure treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care and finding effective treatments and cures.

The DoD Bone Marrow Failure, Idea Development Award is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting innovative and scientifically sound research ideas that contribute to understanding and curing bone marrow failure diseases, with a particular emphasis on hypothesis-driven studies linked to clinical trials, open to both established and early-career investigators.

Crisis-affected children identify education as their first priority. Surveys have revealed that children value education as much as food, water or money.[1] Despite this, 224 million children and youth living in crisis settings worldwide are currently denied a quality education. All the while, education is essential for protecting children, youth, and communities during and after a crisis it creates stability and enables psychosocial support and mental health for recovery. Long-term studies show that education reduces risks and mitigates harmful impacts of crisis, especially to the most vulnerable. This Primary Education in Crisis Activity in Ethiopia (the Activity) will meet childrens essential demand for education in Ethiopia. The Activitys purpose is: Improved learning outcomes, wellbeing, and systems resilience for most vulnerable primary school age children affected by crises in Ethiopia. Achievement of this objective is an essential ingredient for Ethiopias long term stability and economic growth. This Activity will benefit from the robust partnership between USAID and The LEGO Foundation, as it will be co-funded from both organizations. In addition to co-funding, the Activity will draw on the extensive expertise of both organizations in foundational skills and playful learning. [1] https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/education_against_the_odds_online_version2.pdf/

This grant provides funding to U.S. colleges, universities, and organizations to improve undergraduate computing education and increase participation among underrepresented groups in the field.

U.S. Embassy Guatemalas Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce funding now available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This Annual Program Statement outlines our funding priorities, the strategic themes on which we focus, and procedures for submitting funding requests. Please follow carefully all instructions below. Purpose of Small Grants: PDS Guatemala invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural, educational, professional, and/or scientific ties between the United States and Guatemala through cultural, educational, and/or exchange programming that highlights our shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural or educational element, or connection with American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s) in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity is to invite proposals for funding from eligible non-profit organizations, local and state government agencies, private sector firms, and institutions of higher education to provide quality training and counseling to veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs. A key component of this Funding Opportunity is for applicants to provide training to transitioning military personnel and spouses through the Boots to Business (B2B) Training Program, and to veterans and military spouses through the Reboot and Military Spouse Pathway to Business Training Programs. Additionally, applicants will provide counseling, training, technical and financial skill development, comprehensive business assessments and mentoring services to veteran, active duty, Reserve, National Guard, military spouse and family member entrepreneurs, and small business owners interested in starting, expanding and diversifying small businesses. This Funding Opportunity is subject to the availability of funding.

The U.S. Embassy Nassaus Public Diplomacy (PD) section announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to develop and organize a Regional Alumnae Summit for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) network throughout the Caribbean. The PD section invites proposals from non-profit organizations, civil society organizations, and U.S. government alumni organizations to design and organize a summit to connect small and medium businesses of AWE Alumnae from across the Caribbean during a 2-day Summit in Nassau, The Bahamas in Spring 2025. This Summit will also provide a forum for AWE Alumnae to expand their professional network, share best practices and gain broader market access. In consultation with the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy team, the awardee is expected to organize all logistics for the Summit to include, but not limited to several deliverables. Therefore, the proposal should clearly describe how each item below will be addressed: Structure and Overall plan for the event. The estimated Cost for the proposed Venue for the Summit. Equipment (Equipment cannot account for more than 10% of the total project cost.) Marketing plan Proposed 6 Conference Speakers and associated costs (this should include Bahamian, Caribbean and American Entrepreneurs as well as a Keynote Speaker.) Travel Costs for participants from Family Islands. A Business Expo opportunity for participants. Opportunities for participants to scale up their businesses (ex. export, product development and scaling.) Cost Share (not required but looked upon favorably) Public Private Partnerships Pre and Post Surveys for participants (ex. To garner input for topics for summit)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters, has released a solicitation, titled "NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I," as an Appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement (NRA), titled "Space Technology REsearch, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2024 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2024)," on June 03, 2024.Complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps:1. Open the NSPIRES homepage at https://nspires.nasaprs.com/2. Select "Solicitations"3. Select "Open Solicitations" 4. Select "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2024 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2024) NNH24ZTR001N"5. Select "List of Open Program Elements"6. Select "NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I, NNH24ZTR001N-25NIAC_A1"7. Select "NIAC Phase I Solicitation Document" under Announcement DocumentsThe NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program supports innovative research through Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III awards. This Phase I appendix solicits proposals for studying visionary, yet credible, advanced concepts in the NIAC Program. There are two steps to the Phase I proposal process; a brief Step A proposal open to all applicants, and an expanded Step B for those who are invited. The Step A proposal is due on July 01, 2024 (5:00 PM Eastern) and the Step B proposal (by invitation only) is due on September 19, 2024 (Target), 5:00 PM Eastern.This is an Open Announcement. All categories of U.S. organizations may apply. Non-U.S. organizations may partner in, or lead, NIAC studies on a no-exchange of funds basis, and subject to NASAs policy on foreign participation (see Section 3.5 of the REDDI NRA for additional information).All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative (AOR). Detailed submission instructions are provided in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2024 NRA, as well as the NASA Proposers Guide. Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline.Any updates to this Appendix will be posted on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) page for this Appendix (https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/). Offerors are encouraged to regularly refer to this website for updates and other information relative to this Appendix. Proposers are encouraged to submit their questions regarding this Appendix to hq- [email protected] proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2024 Appendices.Technical, programmatic, and procurement comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to hq- [email protected]. Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the Appendix; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.

To increase research capacity for NF, the NFRP is offering the NFRA. The intent of the NFRA is to provide a framework of intensive mentoring and iterative guidance with proposed research, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group of junior faculty (Scholars). The NFRP NFRA will bring together established NF investigators (one Director and one Deputy Director) and early-career independent investigators (Scholars) and their Career Guides to develop successful, highly productive NF scientists and clinicians that will conduct research with the aim of lessening the clinical impact of NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. The NFRA is a multi-institutional interactive virtual academy platform designed to offer support to NFRA Scholars with the goal to advance innovative, high impact NF research through a collaborative and career development environment.The functioning NFRA will consist of Scholars and their Career Guides (mentors) from different institutions, and an Academy Director and Deputy Director (see Figure 1 below). The Academy Director and Deputy Director will catalyze the growth and professional development of the Scholars in collaboration with their Career Guides, assess the progress of the Scholars, and facilitate communication and collaboration among all Academy members. The Career Guide is not required to be at the same institution as the Scholar; however, if the (primary) Career Guide is from a different institution, a secondary Career Guide at the Scholars institution is needed. The NFRA will afford Scholars opportunities to operate in a collegial, highly dynamic, and cutting-edge center to move early-career investigators towards positions as leaders in NF conducting impactful research.During this first phase of the academy, the NFRP is offering the FY24 NFRALA funding opportunity to solicit applications for an Academy Director and Deputy Director to lead the NFRA. The Academy Director and Deputy Director (referred to as Academy Leadership) must be established NF researchers and can be at different institutions. The Academy Leadership must demonstrate a strong record of mentoring and training early-career independent investigators, a commitment to leadership, the ability to articulate methods toward research collaborations, and the ability to objectively assess the progress of all Scholars in the NFRA. An objective of the NFRA leadership team is to establish the Academy structure in its first year and in subsequent years, conduct oversight of this activity. Other objectives will include execution of research that will engage NFRA FY25 Scholars (including subsequent-year Scholars), develop tools for Scholars to enable success, and provide opportunities to broaden their knowledge in NF disorders. The leadership team will identify and offer opportunities to network with other NFRP FY25 Early Investigator Research Award recipients (and subsequent year awardees) and NFRP FY25 New Investigator Award Early-Stage Investigator (NIA ESI) Award recipients (and subsequent year awardees). In the second stage of the academy, the NFRP anticipates release of funding opportunities for the Scholars who will conduct their research under the guidance of the NFRA leadership team.

The Department of States Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) announces an open competition for projects in support of a forthcoming Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership between the United States and the Government of Romania.

ILCER aims to support island economies to develop and implement United States and international priorities to strengthen climate adaptation, green growth, and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The impacts of climate change are being felt around the world, particularly in SIDS, where the climate crisis is an existential threat. Many islands are facing changes in sea levels and coastal flooding, shifting temperature and rainfall patterns, and extreme events such as storms, droughts, marine heat waves, and ocean acidification. These events often compound and lead to cascading challenges including ecological degradation, loss of livelihoods, setbacks in development, and growing debt. SIDS need improved tools to assess climate risks and pursue effective adaptive pathways that are developed in coordination with advocates and professionals with expertise on their respective islands. These networks require resources to establish fora for learning and collaboration to tackle climate challenges and grow capacities that suit their needs. Tailoring development goals and decision tools to their realities, in combination with technical expertise, will make islands more resilient in the decades to come. A.3. Project Goal Build and expand on existing ILR2030 and SIDS efforts by strengthening partnerships with relevant regional institutions and leveraging existing networks and communities of practice to transition from planning to implementation of locally-led climate adaptation and green growth solutions. A.4. Objectives Objective 1: Strengthen interactive, participatory networks and consider the need for 1-2 new Communities of Practice . Activities to achieve this objective must include: • Strengthen extensive island-based, peer-to-peer learning network(s) for island economies globally to support green growth, sustainable development, and climate resilience. • Coordinate existing topic-specific Communities of Practice in which member islands can engage to support the implementation of climate resilience and net zero pathways plans. • Launch 1-2 new Communities of Practice based on network members’ interest, such as on the climate-health nexus to support island economies with preparing for and responding to the health-related impacts of climate change, or on nature-based solutions. • Establish strong relationships with bilateral development partners, UN organizations, development agencies, and other key stakeholders to facilitate long-term, sustainable pipelines of financial and technical support for implementation of activities for Communities of Practice member islands. Objective 2: Provide direct technical assistance to at least 10 SIDS policymakers and/or practitioners to develop and implement adaptation, clean energy, and sustainable development actions that combat climate change. Activities to achieve this objective must include: • Develop locally relevant, open-data platforms that enable partner countries to identify economy-wide adaptation, clean energy, and sustainable development goals and targets and to track progress towards targets in a transparent manner. • Establish public-private partnerships within and among select island economies that support diverse stakeholders in integrating sustainability priorities into policy and planning. • Create innovative and cost-effective assistance mechanisms to facilitate support to island partner countries, which could include small grant opportunities and/or the establishment of a roster of experts to deliver on-demand climate solutions in key thematic areas of particular relevance for islands. • Serve as a global thought leader on island-led climate solutions and produce materials – which could include policy briefs, toolkits, infographics – that provide strategic guidance and technical assistance to island economies to support climate resilience, sustainable development, and clean energy objectives. Objective 3: Create and implement a lean secretariat function for ILR2030 with clear governance, organizational structure, and efficient communications to oversee and spur network development and maintenance. Activities to achieve this objective must include: • Facilitate effective global convenings and efficient implementation of activities in member islands. The above list of activities is not intended to be exhaustive, and the State Department, Office of Global Change (EGC) encourages organizations to generate and submit in their proposal additional, innovative approaches to achieve the goals and objectives of this grant. Countries eligible for activities under this grant include: Antigua and Barbuda; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Cape Verde; Comoros; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Jamaica; Kiribati; Maldives; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Nauru; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Samoa; São Tomé und Príncipe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; and Tanzania

With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to support nonprofit organizations and local public agencies in the following nonparticipating states: Texas and Wyoming, for the purposes of carrying out activities of the kinds described in the core requirements under the Act (34 U.S.C. 11133(11), (12), (13), and (15). OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to increase the effectiveness of investigation and prosecution of public corruption crimes. This project will increase accountability and improve the handling of public corruption cases by both investigators and prosecutors through concurrent training and cooperation. This project will have three key components: Objective 1: Training and capacity building Training and building capacity of anti-corruption investigators and prosecutors. Objective 2: Institutional support Providing institutional support including policy level changes and technological advancements to strengthen accountability and social inclusion mechanisms. Objective 3: Awareness Raising Raising public awareness of project initiatives to improve citizens confidence in public service delivery so they are encouraged to report corruption cases. The project will build capacity of investigators and prosecutors to handle public corruption cases both by training and mentoring a cadre of master trainers and by directly training investigators and prosecutors. The specific objectives are to increase the number of appropriate public corruption charges by law enforcement, improve the effective prosecution of public corruption cases, develop policies to encourage citizens to file complaints, and raise citizens awareness and confidence in public service delivery mechanisms. This call for proposals is intended to scale up existing work in Balochistan and expand it to benefit anti-corruption establishments in Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to: 1. Train investigators and prosecutors to prosecute corruption cases. 2. Provide institutional support to design effective policies that encourage transparency, accountability, and the use of modern technological tools to invest

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), Office of Environmental Quality (ENV) through its Air Quality (AQ) Program, announces an open competition for organizations interested in applying to implement a project on increasing sub-national, national, and regional capacity to address air pollution in Latin America and/or Central Asia.

With this solicitation BJA seeks to assist state, local, and tribal jurisdictions in reducing crime and improving the functioning of the criminal justice system through more effective information sharing, multi-agency collaboration, and the implementation of data-driven, evidence-based strategies. This will be accomplished by providing support services to the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Centers and the RISS Technology Support Center (RTSC) under BJAs Justice Information Sharing Training and Technical Assistance (JISTTA) Program.

Gabon has vast natural resources in its maritime and terrestrial ecosystems that are being exploited through illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; illegal logging; and poaching. According to a 2019 report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, illegal logging costs Gabon an estimated $1 billion per year, while WildAid reports IUU fishing results in $610 million in losses per year. Objective of the grant: Raise public awareness about the devastating effects of illegal fishing, logging and encourage the community of Gabon to act against these detrimental practices. The goals of the awareness campaign on illegal fishing and logging are as follows: Raise Public Awareness: The primary goal is to educate and inform the community of Libreville and Gabon in general about the detrimental effects of illegal fishing and logging. Increase public understanding of the environmental, economic, and social consequences associated with these activities. Behavior Change: Encourage individuals to take a stand against illegal fishing and logging by adopting sustainable practices. Motivate citizens to report illegal activities, support conservation efforts, and promote responsible fishing and logging practices. Community Engagement: Foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community members of Libreville, and Gabon. Encourage active participation in events, workshops, and seminars that promote environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. Advocacy and Policy Support: Generate public support for stronger regulations and enforcement measures against illegal fishing and logging. Advocate for policy changes that enhance the protection of marine resources and forests in Gabon. Partnerships and Collaborations: Establish partnerships and collaborations with local organizations, government bodies, press and influencers to create a united front against illegal activities. Leverage collective efforts to maximize the campaign's impact and sustainable outcomes. Long-Term Awareness and Behavior Shift: Create a lasting impact by instilling a sense of responsibility and understanding of the importance of preserving marine resources and forests. Lay the foundation for long-term behavior change and sustainable practices among individuals and communities.

This announcement is modified. Under section Step 4 Criteria: Bonus Points Project located in a geographically underserved community, the state of Idaho was listed in error as not having an active CED job creation project. After further review, it is acknowledged that the state of Idaho has an active CED project. Therefore, the state of Idaho is removed from the bonus points list. Applicants who submit applications from those states will not be considered for the additional points based on State or territory without an active CED grant. However, they can be considered for bonus points under being persistent poverty county or Native American community. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will solicit applications to award approximately $1.5 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to stimulate new CED project development through administrative capacity building.OCS aims to align this funding opportunity with the following priority areas: (1) Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and the Justice40 Initiative, which underscore funding support for energy communities, (2) increased equity in geographic distribution of CED funds, in accordance with the CED statute, and (3) breaking down service silos and leveraging existing partnerships across OCS programs to reduce poverty through a wraparound services model for communities with low incomes. The objective of the CED Planning Grants is to stimulate new projects in underserved and under resourced communities. OCS intends to center equity in this funding opportunity, focusing these resources in persistent high-poverty areas with struggling economies that have been unable to put forth a viable CED project in the past. The goal of this funding opportunity is to provide CDCs with financial assistance for administrative capacity building. The awards will be a crucial step in connecting CDCs with CED resources for social and revenue reinvestment in local communities to help spark economic growth. OCS is encouraging applications from CDCs that target urban and rural areas.

The U.S. Embassy Praia of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to economically empower and increase employment opportunities for at least 100 female, informal workers, through targeted capacity building, awareness, training, and other activities to be proposed by the organizations. Official data show that poverty in Cabo Verde disproportionately impacts women. Government officials and civil society representatives recognize that poverty has a female face. Poverty among women contributes to other issues as well. Women living in poverty, including informal and domestic workers, are particularly susceptible to abuse and gender-based violence, and sexual harassment. Lack of knowledge and of access to important information, including on their legal rights, also creates vulnerabilities for this group. For women with children, parental responsibilities sometimes hinder the ability of women to compete in the labor market and secure quality jobs. In Cabo Verde, over 60.1 percent of single parent families are led by women. Data suggest that women face more challenges in finding jobs. The latest survey on the informal sector found that 62.5 percent of informal workers are women, and their income is 28.7 percent less than men engaged in similar activities. Data indicate that more than 25 percent of Cabo Verdean women are domestic workers, from those more that 90 percent do not have a work contract and only 10 percent are enrolled in the social security system. Informal jobs are extremely vulnerable to shocks, as confirmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many women remain unemployed or engaged in precarious work. Project proposals should address the above problems by strengthening the capacity of women through the acquisition of relevant business management skills and practical tools, as well providing knowledge about their rights, all of which will improve their knowledge and skillset, and help women compete for better, more stable employment opportunities. The proposed implementation strategy should involve relevant expertise and know-how in the design and implementation phases of the project and include relevant partnerships with non-governmental, community-based organizations, municipalities, central government departments, and/or other relevant entities. Proposed projects should build monitoring and evaluation - including time-bound milestones for performance/results into the project. Participants and Audiences: Main project beneficiaries are female, informal workers (with majority being domestic workers). Priority Region: Project activities will be implemented in Cabo Verde. Project proposals should identify targeted island(s). Preference will be given to projects that propose a more inclusive and national approach, aligned with the available budget and anticipated period of performance. Program Goal: By the end of the performance period, the project will economically empower and increase employment opportunities for at least 100 women informal workers, with a majority being domestic workers, through targeted capacity building and awareness. Program Objectives: Objective 1: Equip female, informal workers, particularly domestic workers, with knowledge and skillset to access safer and more secure employment. Objective 2: Enhance the knowledge of informal workers, particularly domestic workers, regarding their rights. Objective 3: Organize relevant stakeholders to advocate for legal and procedural reforms for the benefit of informal workers, with a focus on issues and barriers facing domestic workers. Expected Results: Expected results of the program must at least include: At least 100 women adequately identified and trained in small business management and other practical training, and with stronger knowledge about their rights and duties. Selected women must represent diverse participants inclusive of marginalized populations. Support at least 100 women find an improved employment opportunity, including self-employment. A measurable increase in awareness of workers rights, including the rights of domestic workers. Further advance reforms for the benefit of female, informal workers. Main Activities: Detailed activities should be proposed by applicants, and should include at minimum: - Include a planning phase to clarify projects activities; public presentation of the project on the targeted islands; mapping and liaison with key partners on the beneficiary islands and at the central level, including through the establishment of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for relevant partnerships for project implementation; technical and logistical organization of the trainings and awareness campaigns. The projects technical team will work together with the partners to design the training program, awareness campaign and other project activities, and select the beneficiary women, trainers and other needs based on the implementation approach. - Implement capacity building which should include topics such as Small Business Management, Financial Education, Marketing and Stock Management, Gender/Gender Based Violence/ Harassment in the informal working environment, Workers Rights and Duties Health and Safety at Work, and Caregiver Training as an employment opportunity, and any others identified by the applicant. Proposed training modules should include the number of days required for completion, and criteria to be considered for a successful completion. - Design and implement a competitive cash award program for the establishment or sustainable continuation of a small business, with clear processes and criteria, to benefit women that had successfully completed training activities. The applicant should explain how these disbursements will be tracked and success measured.- Implement information and awareness campaigns on informal and domestic workers rights and duties. - Implement advocacy activities to advance reforms that would benefit female, informal and domestic workers. Performance Indicators: The project should monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time bound. Applicants should establish, where possible, performance targets for each expected result and include details on sources that will be used to document performance, how the indicators will be measured and frequency of measurement. Applicants shall use and add indicators to the list below and insert it in the proposed application document. Subsequent to the award, periodic reporting of indicators will be required. - Number of women trained.- Number with increased economic opportunities as a result of the program, including engaged in income generating activities and self-employment. - Number of information campaigns informal and domestic workers rights and duties (radio, TV, social media) implemented.- Number of civil society organizations supported with project funds (sex disaggregated)- Meetings with government officials (or others to advance reforms). Although reflected in the preliminary indicators above, the following indicators are required: - Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (e.g., assets, credit, income, or employment).- Number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector and/or civil society institutions or organizations (sex disaggregated).- Percent of individuals with better employment following participation in USG-assisted workforce development programs (sex disaggregated).The funding will be for U.S. Government Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 (ESF/Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Fund.)This notice is subject to availability of funding.