Local Governance and Accountability Project

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U.S. Embassy Cotonou is pleased to announce an open competition for non-governmental organizations to apply for a Local Governance and Accountability Project in Borgou Department under the Prevention and Stabilization Fund (PSF). This project seeks to improve civic participation and government engagement in marginalized communities in northern Benin, fostering transparency, accountability, and collaboration by providing tools, knowledge, and resources for marginalized communities and their associated civil society groups to actively engage in local governance and the political sphere to achieve representation and receive improved service delivery. Detailed description of the grant and guidelines are below. Please read carefully to see if your project is eligible. A grant of $250,000 U.S. Dollars (USD) in FY 2023-FY 2025 Economic Support Fund (ESF) resources will be awarded (pending availability of funds) for work that will support program objectives below. Priority Region: Borgou Department with special emphasis on the communes of Bembereke, Kalale, Perere, and Sinende. Additional departments and communes may be considered at a later stage. Background: In Benin, the practice of decentralization since 2013 has gradually strengthened citizen participation in local governments by bringing citizens closer to local governments.  However, marginalized communities at the local level in rural communities are not always integrated into the decision-making processes in central and local governments (communes).  This compromises their ability to influence policies creating the impression central authorities are not prioritizing their needs.  Of particular concern are the 6,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benin displaced by violence and insecurity in northern departments. Encouraging greater participation in party politics, voting, and civic engagement equates to empowering these groups politically as majority political parties continue to exercise significant influence over the management of communes.  Civil society organizations acknowledge the need to include the local public, including marginalized communities and underrepresented groups in decision-making so that local governments ensure that all citizens’ needs are met through the principles of good governance.  Promoting greater engagement and a more inclusive and responsive political system ensure that citizen’s needs and aspirations are met, which prevents violent conflicts caused by social resentment. In support of the stated goal, project objectives may include, but are not limited to, the following : Objective 1: Build capacity of women, minority ethnic groups, LGBTQI+ persons, religious minorities, and in particular internally displaced persons (IDPs) to actively participate in policy dialogue, political processes, and upcoming local and national elections. Objective 2: Promote greater civic awareness, citizen engagement and ultimately a more inclusive and responsive political system that better serves the need and aspirations of targeted groups. Objective 3: Protect and promote human rights and equal protection under the law of targeted groups and other community at risk. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 1 award. Award amount: $250,000. Type of Funding: Fiscal Years 2023- 2025 Prevention and Stabilization Fund (PSF) Anticipated start date: October 2024 Anticipated end date: September 2025 This notice is subject to availability of funding. C. ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION To be eligible to receive the fund, the applicant must be: · Benin-based non-profit/non-governmental organization and possess a Registration Certificate ( Récépissé de déclaration d’association » or « Extrait du Journal Officiel ) ·       Have a bank account in the name of the organization. · Have an electronic bank account before U.S. Embassy Cotonou can grant an award. · Must provide electronic funds transfer information for the recipient entity (name of bank, account name, account number and type of account). This cannot be the personal bank information of any individual representative. Banque de l’habitat, BSIC, and CLCAM accounts are not accepted. ·       Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Please see Section ( Required Registrations) for information. Must NOT be funded or being considered for funding for the same activities by other donors or the Government of Benin. D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Application Package: Applications must include all the items below . Please refer to the funding opportunity number. Submission Date and Time: Applications must arrive via e-mail to CotonouGrants@state.gov by May 17, 11:59 p.m. (WAT or GTM +1). Any applications arriving after this date will be automatically disqualified. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact U.S. Embassy Cotonou by email at CotonouGrants@state.gov . Please refer to the funding opportunity number. For consideration, please email complete application package in English or in French to CotonouGrants@state.gov We do not provide any pre-consultations for application-related questions that are addressed in this notice of funding opportunity. Once an application has been submitted, Department of State officials and staff — both in the Department and at embassies overseas — may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.