Fundamental Freedoms Fund IV

Background
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that will defend and protect human rights; counter threats to democratic institutions; and address discrimination, inequity, and marginalization in all its forms.

Grant Details
DRL will award an overarching cooperative agreement to a consortium of eight NGOs with thematic and global reach (“Consortium”), to collaborate on the execution of individual projects in which “action-forcing events” have triggered the need for intervention to counter or prevent the closing of democratic space and/or where progress in erecting democratic institutions and establishing the rule of law is in jeopardy. All individual projects must promote the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly, expression, and religion in countries that routinely and systematically infringe on those freedoms. The projects must respond to rapidly evolving political environments where timely interventions could have a lasting impact in creating a positive trajectory for the development of fundamental freedoms. The Consortium will be expected to efficiently and effectively propose and implement a wide range of themes including human rights and religious freedom; the legal sector and rule of law; media; electoral and political processes; citizen engagement and participation; labor; or other issues as they present themselves.

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
24-36 months

Grant Value
$7,250,000 (of which $750,000 must go to LGBTQI+ projects)

Place of Performance
Countries that routinely and systematically infringe on fundamental freedoms