The Office of Citizen Exchange (E/PE)
Room 224
U.S. Information Agency
301 4th Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20547
Phone: (202) 619-5319
Fax: (202) 619-4350
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.usia.gov/education/rfps
Contact: Christina Miner, USIA Program Officer

SUMMARY: The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the United States Information Agency's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for an assistance award. Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in IRS regulation 26 CFR 1.501(c) may apply to develop training programs that offer leadership training skills to women in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE AND NUMBER: All communications with USIA concerning this RFP should refer to the announcement's title and reference number E/P-98-19.

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: All copies must be received at the U.S. Information Agency by 5 p.m. Washington, D.C. time on Friday, February 27, 1998. Faxed documents will not be accepted at any time. Documents postmarked by the due date but received at a later date will not be accepted. We anticipate that grants will begin on or about June 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Christina Miner. Use the above addresses to request a Solicitation Package containing more detailed information. Please request required application forms, and standard guidelines for preparing proposals, including specific criteria for preparation of the proposal budget.

TO DOWNLOAD A SOLICITATION PACKAGE VIA INTERNET: The entire Solicitation Package may be downloaded from USIA's website. Please read all information before downloading.

TO RECEIVE A SOLICITATION PACKAGE VIA FAX ON DEMAND: The entire Solicitation Package may be received via the Bureau's "Grants Information Fax on Demand System", which is accessed by calling 202/401-7616. Please request a "Catalog" of available documents and order numbers when first entering the system.

Please specify USIA Program Officer Christina Miner on all inquiries and correspondences. Interested applicants should read the complete Federal Register announcement before sending inquiries or submitting proposals. Once the RFP deadline has passed, Agency staff may not discuss this competition in any way with applicants until the Bureau proposal review process has been completed.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview: USIA is interested in proposals that encourage the growth of democratic institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. Exchanges and training programs supported by the Office of Citizen Exchange's institutional grants should operate at two levels: they should enhance institutional relationships; and they should offer practical information to individuals to assist them with their professional responsibilities. Strong proposals usually have the following characteristics: an existing partner relationship between an American organization and an in-country institution in Central and Eastern Europe; a proven track record of conducting program activity; cost-sharing from American or in-country sources, including donations or air fares, hotel and/or housing costs; experienced staff with language facility; and a clear, convincing plan showing how permanent results will be accomplished as a result of the activity funded by the grant. USIA wants to see tangible forms of time and money contributed to the project by the prospective grantee institution, as well as funding from third party sources. We recommend that programs with a U.S. component include letters of commitment from host institutions, even if tentative. Letters of commitment from any in-country partners should also be provided. Applicants are encouraged to consult with USIS offices regarding program content and partner institutions before submitting proposals. Award-receiving applicants will be expected to maintain contact with the USIS post throughout the grant period.

USIA requests proposals for projects that offer leadership training skills to representatives of women's organizations who are active in their own communities in Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The focus of the training program should be on how to identify priorities, organize and form coalitions, and influence decision makers about issues and problems affecting the well-being of people in local communities. Proposals are not limited to a one-country focus but may address how to build networks among women's organizations in several countries. Project activities may include: internships; study tours; short-term training; consultations; and extended, intensive workshops taking place in the United States or in Central and Eastern Europe. Prospective grantee institutions should identify the Central and Eastern European local organizations and individuals with whom they are proposing to collaborate and describe in detail previous cooperative programming and contacts. Program activity may take place in Central and Eastern Europe or in the United States. This activity is intended to follow-up on issues addressed in the Vital Voices conference held in Vienna from July 9-11. For more information on the conference, please see the Vital Voices Homepage.

PROJECT FUNDING

Since USIA grant assistance constitutes only a portion of total project funding, proposals should list and provide evidence of other sources of financial and in-kind support. Proposals with substantial private sector support from foundations, corporations, and other institutions will be considered highly competitive.

Although no set funding limit exists, proposals for less that $75,000 will receive preference. Organizations with less that four years of successful experience in managing international exchange programs are limited to $60,000. Applicants are invited to provide both an all-inclusive budget as well as separate sub-budgets for each program component, phase, location or activity in order to facilitate USIA decisions on funding. While a comprehensive line item budget based on the model in the Solicitation Package must be submitted, separate component budgets are optional.

The URL for this page is: http://www.friends-partners.org/~ccsi/announce/ocetrain.htm
Last updated: January 12, 1998

Center for Civil Society International [email protected]