New Funding Opportunity: US Consulate General “Kolkata: Strengthening Women’s Empowerment and Leadership at the Grassroots Level through Capacity Development”

Opportunities / Announcements
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Dear friends,

The US Consulate General has released a new opportunity called “Kolkata: Strengthening Women’s Empowerment and Leadership at the Grassroots Level through Capacity Development”, solicitation number KRFP16-04. The project will run for one year, with no specified start date. The project will focus on West Bengal, India.

Funder: The opportunity is funded by the US Consulate General, Public Affairs Section in Kolkata, who is responsible for press relations, cultural, and educational affairs, and exchange and information activities that articulate U.S. foreign policy and promote greater mutual understanding between India and the United States.

Eligibility: Organizations submitting proposals must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a non-profit, or non-governmental organizations. Individuals are not eligible for an award under this Request for Proposal (RFP).
  • Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
  • Cost sharing is required for this funding opportunity.
  • This award does not allow for construction activities or costs.
  • U.S. Consulate General, Kolkata grants/cooperative agreements cannot be used to fund religious or partisan political activity; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization, or illegal activities.
  • Organizations may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.
  • Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform and an active SAM registration (www.SAM.gov). The U.S. Department of State will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements by the time the Department is ready to make an award.

Due date: May 25, 2015

Questions Due Date: none

Award Ceiling: $130,000

Cost Share: The successful organization will be expected to cost share operational, venue rental and administrative costs that will be incurred throughout the project. Goal: To work towards capacity development of women leaders in West Bengal at the grass roots level.

Objectives: The project will work to address the following at the grassroots level:

  • Capacity development and training
  • Gender responsive planning and budgeting
  • Women’s empowerment strategies
  • Qualitative positive change in women’s lives.

The project is expected to contribute to the following results:

  1. Capacity Development & Advocacy Strategy to address policy monitoring and public accountability, policy dialogue, building advocacy capacity of stakeholder groups and pathfinder and demonstrator projects.

  2. Incorporate the support of men in the community. Direct beneficiaries should include but not be limited to the following:

  • The 120-150 elected women representatives of 15 rural local governments (Panchayats)
  • The three tier Panchayat system
  • The Self-help group leaders from 140-160 units
  • Village committees
  • Male members of the families of elected women leaders
  • The project personnel and NGO leadership
  • Local political leadership.