Promoting Volunteerism and Community Engagement

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The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy South Africa of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to develop and implement a program that would connect people who want to volunteer or intern with relevant volunteer opportunities at NGOs and corporations. The project would include recruitment of volunteers and interns throughout South Africa, followed by training on basic professional skills such as time management, project coordination, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills. The project would also include the development of a website and database that allows volunteers to upload a profile of their skills and qualifications, and also outlines volunteers and intern opportunities that NGOs and corporations can use to recruit from. NGOs and corporations would have the option of selecting individuals or groups of volunteers and interns to support either distinct projects, or for ongoing support. The goal is to help build the skills of the volunteers and interns, while providing them an easy connection to opportunities, and would also serve NGOs and corporations by assisting them in meeting their volunteer and workforce needs.  This is a thriving model in the United States, and the project should incorporate a U.S.-based expert who can help develop the program. Additional engagement with U.S.-government alumni, the Fulbright Senior Specialist program, and the American Spaces in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, is also highly encouraged. The grantee will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the project’s progress. A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan should focus both on outputs (e.g. quality and intensity of implementation efforts) and impacts (e.g. long-term job placement, skills development., etc.). Program Objectives: • To recruit a cohort of at least 100 volunteers and interns for training and placement opportunities. • To train South African volunteers and interns on workplace best practices. • To develop a website and searchable database of available volunteer and internship opportunities by partnering with at least three corporations and three NGOs, that also includes volunteer and intern profiles to match with these opportunities. • To create collaborative links between a U.S.-based NGO and South African NGO. Please follow the instructions in the full notice. Please disregard the note on the forms page, “If you are applying for a grant, please complete and submit your application using Grants.gov Workspace.”   Applications should be emailed to PretoriaGrants@state.gov.

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