OpportunityTitle: Strengthening Sustainable Agricultural Initiatives (Coffee, Bananas, Cacao)
CategoryExplanation: The United States negotiated an Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) in association with the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Through implementation of CAFTA-DR ECA, the parties are striving to achieve the following long-term goals:  Compliance with CAFTA-DR Environmental (Chapter 17)obligations to:  1. Ensure CAFTA-DR environmental laws and policies provide for and encourage high levels of environmental protection  2. Effectively enforce CAFTA-DR environmental laws;  3. Ensure that Judicial and quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings are available to saction or remedy violations of environmental laws;  Improved protection and conservation of the environment.  Transparency and public participation in environmental decision-making.  Improved culture of enviromental protection and compliance with environmental laws through the promotion of economic opportunities, voluntary measures to enhance environmental performance, and job creation, and regional harmonization and integration of environmental laws and policies to facilitate improved environmental protection and a level playing field across the region.
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligible applicants may include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutions, international or regional organizations, and US and non-US Colleges and universities.  Please see the Proposal Submission Instruction or PSI for further eligibility requirements.
Description: Executive Summary: The Office of Environmental Policy of the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science (OES) at the Department of State announces an open competition to support regional and local initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture in the Dominican Republic, Central American Free Trade Agreement countries (hereinafter referred to as CAFTA-DR countries). This effort looks to support projects that build on existing initiatives or ongoing collaboration with cooperatives and regional networks, and to equip small and medium-scale entrepreneurs with commercial strategies that generate sustainable incomes through technical assistance, vocational training, and the adoption of best practices. This announcement invites organizations to submit proposals addressing the objectives referenced above. Total funding available is $1,188,000. The Office of Environmental Policy anticipates funding approximately four projects from this competition. Total funding available per project should not exceed $300,000. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), research institutions, International Organizations (IO), and U.S. and non-US colleges and universities with experience in the region are eligible to submit proposals to support existing sustainable agricultural initiatives focused on the crops of coffee, bananas, and cacao. Contact Person: Aaron Spencer Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science spencerae@state.gov Phone: (202) 647-8772 Fax: (202) 647-5947 This solicitation package consists of three sections: 1) RFA announcement, 2) program description, and 3) Proposal Submissions Instructions (PSI). Please carefully read the entire solicitation package if you plan to submit an application as there are steps you should take immediately in order to make your submissions on grants.gov.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: spencerae@state.gov
GrantorContactText: Aaron Spencer &lt;br/&gt;Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science
CloseDateExplanation: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EDT), Friday, May 16,2008.