DRL Preserving Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh

Background
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces a limited-source competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a project that protects freedom of expression, on and offline in Bangladesh. The grant aims to enable journalists, media outlets, and civil society activists in Bangladesh to sustainably counter threats and challenges faced under various laws, in order to conduct accurate reporting that informs the population and holds power-holders accountable.

Grant Details
The proposed program should achieve outcomes such as civil society more safely and effectively documenting restrictions to freedom of expression and conducting advocacy on freedom of expression issues in regional, international, and multilateral forums; independent journalists and media outlets, civil society, and activists bolstering efforts to call for a revision of regressive expression laws; civil society collaborating with journalists to help report on their findings; civil society and community actors operating and coordinating safely to navigate the legal operating environment; media actors implementing secure practices to ensure their safe and effective operations.

Illustrative project activities could include advancing coordinated, multi-stakeholder advocacy among civil society and media to widen space for freedom of expression in Bangladesh; strengthening the skills of civil society and journalists to safely document Bangladesh’s limitations on freedom of expression and media freedom; improving civil society’s understanding of how to navigate regional and international mechanisms for coordinated regional, international, and multilateral advocacy on freedom of expression issues within Bangladesh; advocating against the misuse of Bangladesh’s freedom of expression laws against civil society; supporting documentation efforts and/or international reporting efforts that incorporate local voices; promoting digital and physical security practices among civil society, journalists, and other media actors. Proposed projects should also seek to engage marginalized and underserved communities as project beneficiaries.

Eligibility Requirements
DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities. Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for the grant is 24-36 months.

Grant Value
$750,000 is the total funding floor with an anticipated number of awards being 1-2.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic location(s) where the grant will be performed is Bangladesh.