FY2008 PRM Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO Programs in the North and South Caucasus Benefiting Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Washington, DC
March 28, 2008

Deadline: April 28, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (EDT) 

Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered. 

Proposed Start Dates: July 1 - September 1, 2008

Duration of Activity: no more than 12 months
Applicants interested in implementing multi-year programs will be required to re-compete for PRM funding each year. PRM makes no representation that it will continue to fund a project in successive years.

FY 2008 Funding for the North and South Caucasus: 
Given continuing funding constraints, PRM’s FY2008 priorities are only for activities in the North and South Caucasus that fill critical humanitarian gaps for refugee and/or IDP populations.

In FY 2008 PRM has $2.6 million available for projects in the North and South Caucasus. We anticipate funding up to three proposals in the North Caucasus, and no more than one project in each of the countries of the South Caucasus. Individual proposals should not exceed $600,000 in PRM-requested funding ($225,000 for proposals in Armenia). In the North Caucasus, although we will consider proposals from Grozny and rural areas, we will give preference to proposals that focus on projects in rural areas.

Funding Priorities:
Based on the trajectory of PRM funding for the region, as well as the continuing shift from relief to recovery and development in the region, NGOs making proposals in FY 2008 should focus on projects that will:

• Deliver essential, life-sustaining services to underserved vulnerable populations, or
• Make a lasting impact on the most vulnerable elements of the refugee or IDP populations (e.g. shelter or school/kindergarten rehabilitation or construction, permanent water delivery systems).

In addition, all proposals should include planning for how the projects will be concluded, handed over to another organization, or financed by other means after PRM funding ends.

The following provides guidance on the sectors PRM has identified in each country facing critical gaps. Proposals that address needs in these sectors will be given priority. However, PRM will consider proposals in other sectors if the proposal includes a compelling explanation of the critical gap to be addressed.

Russia (North Caucasus):

• Shelter Assistance – Projects that will rehabilitate refugee or IDP housing (particularly collective centers) or that will provide permanent housing for IDPs for whom it otherwise would not be available;
• Water/Sanitation – Provision of potable water (Proposals must include plans for coordinating activities with local authorities and transferring ongoing responsibility for the activities to those local authorities at the end of the project term);
• Health Care/Psychosocial Support – Projects that will increase access to basic health care in underserved areas; provide health care and nutrition training to providers and beneficiaries; and psychosocial assistance to the most vulnerable;
• Education – Support of kindergartens or primary education for displaced children and vocational training for adolescents in skills that could be linked to income-generating activities.

Armenia

• Initial Reception and Assistance for Refugees and Asylum-seekers in close collaboration with UNHCR. Proposals should include a demonstrated track-record working with UNHCR and, if the proposal involves a reception center, a letter of endorsement from UNHCR for the proposal. Proposals that particularly target refugee women and children (e.g. after-school and stay-in-school programs, SGBV programs, and acculturation/livelihood courses) will be given priority. (Proposals in Armenia are limited to $225,000 in PRM-requested funding.)

Azerbaijan

• Shelter Assistance – Projects that will rehabilitate refugee or IDP housing or that will provide permanent housing for IDPs for whom it otherwise would not be available;
• Water/Sanitation – Provision of potable water and sanitation systems (Proposals must include plans for coordinating activities with local authorities and transferring ongoing responsibility for the activities to those local authorities at the end of the project term);
• Health Care/Psychosocial Support – Projects that will increase access to basic health care in underserved areas; provide health care and nutrition training to providers and beneficiaries; and psychosocial assistance to the most vulnerable.

Georgia

• Shelter Assistance – Projects that will provide permanent housing for IDPs for whom it otherwise would not be available, particularly targeting those now living in collective centers;
• Health Care/Psychosocial Support – Projects that will increase access to basic health care in underserved areas; provide health care and nutrition training to providers and beneficiaries; and psychosocial assistance to the most vulnerable.

PRM will accept proposals from any qualified IO or NGO; however, given budgetary constraints, priority will be given to proposals from organizations that can demonstrate:

(a) proven track record in providing the assistance proposed;

(b) history of successful partnership with PRM;

(c) evidence of coordination with UNHCR, other relief organizations, and development organizations; and

(d) appropriate targeting of beneficiaries in coordination with UNHCR and other relevant organizations.

NGOs that have never received PRM funding must be prepared to demonstrate that they meet the financial and accounting requirements of the U.S. Government by providing copies of 1) the most recent external financial audit; 2) non-profit tax status under IRS 501 (c)(3); 3) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number; and 4) Employer ID number (EIN)/Federal Tax Identification Number.

Proposal Submission Requirements: See “How to Apply” section on Grants.gov for complete details on requirements, and note the following highlights below:

(1) Electronic submission via Grants.gov: NGO applicants who are not yet registered with Grants.gov should do so well in advance of the April 28th deadline as it can take up to two weeks for a registration to be finalized. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this funding opportunity is: 19.520 - Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Europe

• Applicants who are unable to submit via Grants.gov due to technical difficulties should contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov at least one week prior to the April 28th deadline to secure a trouble ticket. Applicants may then contact the PRM Program Officer listed below in order to determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate. Please note that e-mail submissions will NOT be accepted.

(2) Proposal formatting and content: Please refer to the “Submitting Proposals” section in the general PRM NGO guidelines available at http://www.state.gov/g/prm/fund/. These general PRM NGO guidelines are also available on Grants.gov in the “How to Apply” section.

PLEASE TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS IN THE GENERAL PRM NGO GUIDELINES:

a) Budget must include a specific breakdown of funds being provided by UNHCR, other USG agencies, other donors, and your own organization (where applicable).

b) Organizations that received PRM funding in FY 2006 for proposed activities should include an up-to-date, cumulative progress report against indicators as outlined in the cooperative agreement.

c) Focus on impact indicators as much as possible. At a minimum, each objective should have one impact indicator.

(3) Pre-submission consultation: This announcement is designed to coordinate with the FY08 General PRM NGO guidelines, which explain in detail PRM’s NGO funding strategy and priorities. Please read both sets of guidance carefully to ensure that the proposed activities are in line with PRM’s priorities and that your proposal submission is in full compliance with PRM requirements. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered.

All applicants are encouraged to contact PRM Program Officer Matthew Johnson at johnsonmr2@state.gov or tel. 202-663-3068; and/or the Regional Refugee Coordinator Lisa Kierans at kieransl@state.gov or tel. 7-495-728-5187 for more information on these guidelines, if needed.

Prior to proposal submission, PRM will provide prospective applicants with informal feedback (via e-mail or telephone) on proposed work to ensure that planned activities meet our funding priorities and strategies. Informal feedback from PRM does not indicate a commitment to fund the program discussed.

Proposal Review Process:
PRM’s Office of Assistance for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas (ECA) conducts formal competitive reviews of all proposal submissions by convening internal proposal review teams. The review teams will evaluate the proposals based on the above proposal evaluation criteria and PRM’s priorities in the context of available funding.

In order to provide NGOs with timely feedback, PRM will inform applicants of a panel’s decision to recommend or not recommend funding proposed activities, and may request revised proposals and/or budgets based on feedback from the panel. PRM will follow up with formal notifications to NGOs of final decisions taken by Bureau management.