MENA INITIATIVES

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The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting proposals for projects that promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the following regions and countries (unless otherwise noted): Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen. Transitional Justice and Reconciliation for the Middle East and North Africa (approximately $1,200,000): DRL will fund one program for up to $1,200,000 which will respond to transitional justice and reconciliation issues as they arise in the broader Middle East region. This program will provide the flexibility to respond to changes on the ground that offers new opportunities (such as the creation of tribunal or truth commission) or challenges (such as a severe crackdown that involves egregious human rights abuses). Program activities under this grant could range from supporting the initial creation of a tribunal, to gathering and preserving evidence, to documenting human rights abuses to allow for justice and development in the future. (This project should not include programming for West Bank/Gaza). Labor (approximately $2,000,000): DRL will fund up to two grants to support activities that promote democratic practices within worker organizations and build their capacity to respond to social and economic challenges. Activities may include: � training and capacity building to strengthen democratic practices in workers organizations, make unions and worker associations more representative of members, and to increase the presence of women and youth in leadership positions; � assistance in developing policy positions and strategic plans for worker organizations, as well as efforts to connect workers and their organizations more effectively with other civil society organizations advocating on related issues; � raising awareness of labor rights among workers and employers and improving the economic, social, and legal literacy of workers; � training for labor leaders and activists to organize and recruit new members, particularly marginalized workers, such as women, youth, and/or informal sector workers; � skills-building related to collective bargaining and conflict resolution for workers, employers, and/or government representatives; � development of a network of activists and/or a mechanism for sharing good practices among workers and independent worker organizations to promote learning and solidarity across the region. DRL plans to strengthen labor organizations and to enable workers to play a constructive role in the policy process in a number of Middle Eastern countries. Proposals must include activities in Bahrain and Oman and may also include: Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, the West Bank/Gaza, or Yemen. Gender Based Violence (approximately $500,000): DRL will fund one regional grant to support activities that work to protect women in countries undergoing transition or upheaval who have suffered from, or been threatened by, gender-based violence because of their political engagement. DRL would like to build the capacity of local or regional organizations who work with women�s organizations or advocacy groups who can provide women with personal security training, networking as well as increased access to medical, psychological, social, and legal, services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. DRL will accept proposals for targeted GBV programming in any of the countries listed in the Summary above, but proposals are encouraged for activities in or related to Bahrain, Egypt, Libya or Tunisia. Protection for Religious Freedoms (approximately $500,000): DRL will fund one initiative to support programming to protect and promote religious tolerance, pluralism, and the fundamental human right of freedom of religion. Special emphasis will be placed on engaging youth and women. These funds will be used to respond to Religious Freedoms issues as they arise in the Middle East and North Africa, excluding Iran and Iraq. This initiative is designed as a Small Grants Program, to be administered by one Grantee Organization. The Grantee Organization will disburse and manage innovative small grants that defend and/or support religious freedom and tolerance. The selected Grantee Organization will ensure that all organizations receiving small grants work closely with the U.S. embassy in country, DRL, and UN mission (as appropriate). Initiatives can include, but are not limited to: education, training, and public outreach � such as speaking tours, interfaith conferences, participation in multilateral fora, symposia (e.g., to bring together citizens, faith leaders, and government officials), publications, third-country exchanges, awareness campaigns (e.g. billboards, grassroots social marketing, public service announcements), and legal training for defense of religious freedom; legal support for constitutional and other reforms; development of an interfaith network of youth to encourage respect for religious diversity; and creation of an interfaith early alert/community organization that would help prevent attacks on religious minorities and their places (e.g., an anonymous tip line).

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