OpportunityTitle: Creating Social and Economic Opportunity to Strengthen Citizen Security; Promoting Transparency to Encourage a Culture that Resists Corruption
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligibility Category:  U.S. Non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, U.S. and overseas-based public and private institutions of higher education, and public international organizations
Description: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica announces a Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to create social and economic opportunity to strengthen citizen security, and promote government transparency to encourage a culture that resists corruption. U.S. Embassy San Jose intends to issue four awards in an amount not to exceed $900,000 in total funding. The anticipated start date for this activity is September 30, 2015, and project periods should not exceed two years. This funding will support United States Government (USG) objectives under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). Within Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), the United States works with partner nations to strengthen institutions to counter the effects of organized crime, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights. Institution building is coupled with prevention projects that dissuade at-risk youth from turning to crime and gangs and community policing projects that engage local communities on citizen security issues. U.S. Embassy San Jose invites qualified U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, U.S. and overseas-based public and private institutions of higher education, and public international organizations to submit proposals that include an implementation strategy to address one of the following two objectives:1. Provide job creation opportunities for youth and women in economically-disadvantaged communities. Proposals should help create safe streets by providing economic opportunities in these communities as attractive alternatives for at-risk populations that may turn to crime and illicit drugs for their livelihood.2. Promote and improve government transparency to increase citizens&#8217; access to and awareness of all levels and formats of government services with an emphasis on e-government. Proposals should promote strong, capable and accountable government in Costa Rica through projects that streamline bureaucracy by enabling, for instance, entrepreneurs and businesses to more efficiently navigate the required processes to start a business in Costa Rica. U.S. Embassy San Jose reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted and will determine the resulting level of funding for the award. The authority for this NOFO is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Eligible organizations interested in submitting an application are encouraged to read this NOFO thoroughly to understand the type of project sought and the application submission requirements and evaluation process.For further information, please contact:U.S. Embassy San Jose E-mail SanJoseCarsiESF@state.govTelephone 2219-2483
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Email for CARSI grants at U.S. Embassy San Jose
GrantorContactText: Tiamath Zambrano &lt;br/&gt;Grants Officer Representative &lt;br/&gt;Phone 506-2519-2483