Call for Proposals: Julia Taft Refugee Fund for FY 2021
Minimum Award Amount: $5,000
Maximum Award Amount: $25,000
Background and funding opportunity description
The U.S. Embassy in Dakar in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is pleased to welcome proposals for the Julia Taft Refugee Fund from potential partners working to assist refugees in Guinea-Bissau. This support is meant to meet low-cost, critical gaps in refugee protection and assistance.
Eligibility criteria and funding guidelines
The funds are meant to support sustainable (beyond one year) and quick impact projects that assist refugees or refugee returnees. Projects that include one-time cash or food distributions, for example, will not be considered. Consideration for support is given to projects that benefit both populations of concern (refugees and/or refugee returnees) and their host communities. However, proposals that exclusively benefit non-refugee populations such as Internally Displaced Persons or Migrants will not be considered for support. The fund is not meant as an emergency fund. Applicants must be a registered organization (e.g.: NGO, community-based organization; faith-based organization). Local NGOs will be given priority. All proposals should be submitted to Allauca-SaguanoSM@state.gov and
bernsteinr@state.gov by 5 p.m. on February 5, 2021.
Application package
Applications that do not include ALL of the components below will automatically be rejected.
Proposal (there is no specific form for the application, but each application must include the information listed in the Proposal Format section
Detailed project timeline/calendar
Detailed budget
CV/resume of project manager and other key project personnel
At least one reference/recommendation letter from other donors or stakeholders
Proof of national registration of the organization
Copy of bank statement or other proof of existing bank account
A copy of the signed code of conduct of the organization that is consistent with the six core principles from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee recommendations (these can be provided upon request)
*All applications should be in English.
Review and Selection Process
A selection committee at the U. S. Embassy will review all applications received under this announcement based on the following criteria:
Capacity of the organization: the organization has experience in implementing activities related to vulnerable populations and is focused on economic and social development and demonstrates the ability to implement the activities proposed;
Sustainability Plan: the proposal demonstrates a clear sustainability plan beyond the life of the award;
Cost Application: the proposed costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipatedresults;
Monitoring and evaluation: the applicant should provide a clear monitoring and evaluation plan that includes specific, measurable, and achievable indicators.
Once the review process is completed, the U.S. Embassy will notify the successful applicants as well as the unsuccessful applicants. Prospective grantees will receive further instructions along with the notification of successful proposal. Once awarded, each grantee will be responsible for the program and financial reporting as specified in the award agreement.
Type of activities that can be funded under this program
Below are just a few examples of the kinds of activities that can supported by this grant. Please make sure that there is a strong tie to the local context and that proposed activities build on the competencies / capacity of the proposing organization:
Improve the mental health of the refugee community.
Build a playground for refugee children.
Support sports programs.
Provide a shelter for 150 women and girls who are survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
Support livelihood and vocational training program for refugees.
Train refugees in running small businesses.
Support an income generating project and provide health care to persons with disabilities.
Support a women and girls’ empowerment project for urban refugees.
Proposal Format
Problem statement: Give a brief description of the primary problem that your project wishes to address.
Objectives: The objectives should correspond directly to the problem stated in your Problem Statement and should be concise. Objectives should be specific, measurable, appropriate, realistic and time-bound (SMART).
Strategy: Provide a fairly broad statement of your approach to solving the problem.
Activities: Describe the major activities that will be carried out to reach the grant objectives.
Sustainability Plan: Provide a brief outline stating how the organization proposes to sustain its activities beyond the completion and end of the grant.
Implementation Plan: Provide concise time frames and sequencing for the implementation of each activity
Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: Provide indicators and target number of beneficiaries you plan to achieve. Describe how outputs and outcomes will be measured.
Institutional Capacity Statement: Describe your organization’s capabilities and qualifications for implementing the grant. Present evidence to prove how and why your organization is likely to succeed in implementing the grant.
Detailed Budget: The cost/budget application should be provided as a separate document. This should detail all direct costs associated with the implementation of grant activities with the equivalent in USD as well. Please provide a description of the costs included in the budget and how each expenditure or procurement contributes to project results.
Please also provide:
Organizational Chart
Résumé of Key Personnel
Copy of Proof of Registration
Other attachments as deemed relevant by the applicant
