DRL FY16 Supporting Local Civil Society in Ukraine | DRLA DRLAQM 16 102

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the official title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "DRL FY16 Supporting Local Civil Society in Ukraine."

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DRLA-DRLAQM-16-102.

Which U.S. government office administers this grant?

This is a discretionary U.S. government grant administered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).

What is the CFDA number and program area referenced?

The announcement references CFDA 19.345 and describes the focus area as community development activities.

What is the main goal of the program?

The main goal is to strengthen democratic governance in Ukraine by supporting civil society organizations and civic actors at the local level, with the aim of improving local government accountability and responsiveness to the public.

What kinds of changes is this grant trying to achieve at the local government level?

The program is designed to improve how local Ukrainian government bodies operate by encouraging more accountable behavior, more responsive decision-making, and better follow-through when citizens and local groups raise concerns, propose reforms, or monitor government performance.

What is the program's core theory or approach to reform?

The program is built on the idea that durable local-level reform depends on active and capable civil society, and that strengthening civil society helps create lasting channels for citizen influence over local policy and administration.

What types of activities or projects are expected under this opportunity?

Projects are expected to help civil society advocate for community priorities, monitor local government actions and service delivery, and stimulate civic activism that promotes transparency and integrity. Examples described include strengthening watchdog efforts, building local advocacy coalitions, improving public participation in local decision-making, and supporting civic initiatives that pressure authorities to answer to residents.

Is the program intended to simply fund organizations?

No. The described intent is not just to fund organizations, but to help create local systems where citizens have meaningful ways to influence policy, identify corruption or inefficiency, and demand accountability from municipal and regional officials.

What award instrument will be used?

The award instrument is a grant.

What is the maximum amount that can be awarded?

The award ceiling is $800,000, which represents the maximum potential funding per award under this announcement.

Does the award ceiling mean an applicant will automatically receive $800,000?

No. The ceiling indicates the maximum potential amount per award, not a guaranteed amount.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The listing notes "Expected Awards:" but does not provide a number, so the count of anticipated awards is not specified in the provided information.

When was this opportunity originally posted?

The opportunity was originally posted on November 23, 2016.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was January 17, 2017.

What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant?

It means awards are made competitively, based on the agency's priorities and the strength of submitted proposals, rather than being automatically awarded to all eligible applicants.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: U.S.-based and other qualifying nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education within those nonprofit categories), private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses.

Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?

No. The provided eligibility language indicates that qualifying nonprofits may apply with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the noted exclusion related to institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible. The eligibility text also notes an exclusion for "institutions of higher education" within the referenced nonprofit categories, while separately listing private institutions of higher education as eligible.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, with the stated exception of small businesses under the "for-profit organizations (other than small businesses)" category, while small businesses are also separately listed as eligible.

What geographic focus does the program target?

The program focuses on Ukraine, specifically strengthening local-level civil society and civic actors to improve local governance and accountability.

What kinds of local stakeholders is the program meant to support?

It is meant to support civil society organizations and civic actors working at the local level, including those involved in advocacy, monitoring government performance, strengthening public participation, and civic activism tied to transparency and integrity.

What outcomes does the opportunity emphasize for citizens and communities?

The opportunity emphasizes outcomes where citizens have meaningful channels to influence local policy, raise concerns and propose reforms, monitor service delivery and government actions, and push for transparency, integrity, and more responsive public administration.

What is the overarching long-term goal described?

The overarching goal is a stronger relationship between citizens and local government in Ukraine, where public officials are more answerable to their communities and more responsive to public needs and concerns.