00. S-GWI NOFO Women for PEACE.pdf

S/GWI Notice of Funding Opportunity DFOP0017088

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Women for Promoting Engagement, Accountability, Conflict Resolution and

Empowerment (PEACE) Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of

State

Opportunity number: DFOP0017088

Application deadline: 17 February 2025

Contents

A. Basic Information

B. Eligibility

C. Program Description

D. Application Contents and Format

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

F. Application Review Information

G. Award Notices

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

I. Other Information

ANNEX A: Bureau-Specific Award Provisions

ANNEX B: Relevant Statutory Language

U.S Department of State

Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues

Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

Funding Opportunity Title Women for Promoting Engagement, Accountability, Conflict Resolution and Empowerment (PEACE)

Federal Agency Contact SGWIProjectProposals@state.gov

Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0017088

Announcement Type Cooperative Agreement

Date Posted 19 December 2024

Questions Deadline 17 January 2025 23:59 EST

Deadline for Applications 17 February 2025 23:59 EST

Assistance Listing Number 19.801

Length of performance period Up to 3 years

Number of awards anticipated 1

Award amounts Awards may range from a minimum of $1,973,359 to a maximum of $2,466,699 (approximately)

Type of Funding Economic Support Fund FY 2024

Anticipated project start date No later than 30 September 2025

Funding Instrument Type: Due to the needs and risk factors associated with this project, S/GWI anticipates awarding these funds as a cooperative agreement. The distinction between grants and cooperative agreements revolves around the existence of “substantial involvement.” Cooperative agreements require greater Federal government participation in the project. Examples of substantial involvement are included in Section C below.

mailto:SGWIProjectProposals@state.gov

Project Performance Period: Proposed projects should be completed in three (3) years or less. The Department of State intends to entertain applications for continuation of activities funded under this solicitation beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S.

Department of State.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

This solicitation will appear on MyGrants (https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com) and Grants.gov (www.grants.gov). S/GWI strongly encourages applicants to immediately access MyGrants, the required system for submission, in order to obtain a username and password. For further instructions, please see Section E.4 below. Please also see Section E.3 for information on other relevant registrations required to apply for solicitation.

2. Executive Summary

Executive Summary: The Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) announces an open competition for organizations to submit full proposal applications to carry out a project that will outlining concepts and capacity to manage a program, Women for PEACE, that will advance women’s meaningful participation as decision-makers and leaders in track 1 and 1.5 conflict mediation and negotiation processes, ensuring they represent their communities, contribute their expertise and lived experiences, and are supported with the necessary resources to advance formal negotiations, shape final agreements, and promote lasting peace. This mechanism seeks to empower women as equal partners in conflict prevention, peace building, transitional processes, and reconstruction efforts in countries affected by conflict or in political transition. Please read the entire Notice of Funding Opportunity, carefully follow all instructions, and utilize the provided checklist in order ensure a complete proposal.

Priority Region:

This project is intended to be a global mechanism that is flexible and adaptable to emerging needs and priorities. Engagement in each region or country will be confirmed in consultation between the successful applicant and S/GWI. Country selections may be subject to additional approvals and/or vetting.

S/GWI’s priority countries include the following:

https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/ http://www.grants.gov/

• Sub-Saharan Africa: Sudan

• Europe and Eurasia: Ukraine

• Middle East and North Africa: Israel/Palestinian territories, Syria

Other countries / regions will be considered with appropriate justification.

S/GWI does not, as a general matter, use foreign assistance resources to fund programs to benefit developed countries. Developed countries are considered to be those in the high-income category as defined1 by the World Bank using the GNI per capita (Atlas method). 2 The World Bank’s list of countries by GNI can be found on their website.3

Applicants to this NOFO should be aware of, complement, build on, and not overlap with existing in-country, regional, and global programming.

Key terms section:

To ensure a focused and consistent approach, we have provided definitions for the key terms used in this NOFO. This will help establish a shared understanding and guide the implementation of the mechanism.

1. Formal Mediation Process: Formal mediation processes are being defined as at least a national level, or international and hybrid processes, third party-assisted negotiation aimed at preventing, managing, or resolving armed conflict in which the conflict parties consent to the mediator taking some control over the process, where as the third party is the agreed upon mediator by the parties involved in the negotiation process. Such processes may include but are not limited to peace processes, ceasefire negotiations, agreement implementation negotiations, negotiations about humanitarian aid delivery and civilian protection.

2. Track 1 & 1.5 Processes:

1. Track 1 processes are negotiations that include the parties who will have obligations to implement commitments under the resulting agreement.

These include commanders of warring parties, government leaders, community leaders, guarantors, etc.

1 https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519 2 https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519 3 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519 https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNP.PCAP.CD

2. Track 1.5 efforts combine the official actors who will have obligations to implement agreements and unofficial actors who have influence over track 1 parties or will be impacted by the outcomes of the process. Track 1.5 efforts can build trust or establish proposal foundations for the track 1 process. Both tracks play complementary roles in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, with Track 1.5 often acting as a bridge between grassroots efforts and official diplomatic processes.

3. Technical Support: Technical support includes, but is not limited to:

1. Facilitating regular virtual or in-person engagements.

2. Creating opportunities for formal mediation experts to provide guidance and coaching throughout the process to the expert participants.

3. Access to psychosocial support and mental health services, training on digital security, and addressing the safety of participants both online and offline.

4. Logistical assistance will be provided by the recipient (or a sub-recipient) for travel, accommodations, and meeting support to ensure women's full participation in track 1/1.5 mediation processes.

5. Other areas might be identified based on the evolving needs of each context.

4. Diverse Women Civil Society Leaders: This phrase refers to the inclusion of women from a range of backgrounds, identities, and experiences, including but not limited to differences in race, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, and geographic location. This diversity encompasses women who may face unique social, cultural, or political challenges and who bring varied perspectives to decision-making, leadership, and collective action. The recipient should indicate what specific steps it will take to ensure that activities are inclusive of, and accessible to, all women.

5. Meaningful Participation: Meaningful participation is engagement that impacts the decisions of track 1 actors and alters the outcomes of the process. It refers to the active, informed, and impactful involvement of women in peace negotiations and conflict resolution efforts. It goes beyond mere inclusion to ensuring that women’s voices are heard, they are able to effectively represent their communities' interests, their perspectives are valued, and they have the opportunity to advance their unique insights and expertise and influence key decisions. This participation is supported by adequate resources, safe environments, and mechanisms that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women in these processes and help them prepare for pivotal roles in post-conflict transitions.

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

Organizations submitting a full proposal must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S.- or foreign-based non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO); or

• Foreign Public Entities (FPE) for example: Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions

• Be a private, public, or state institution of higher education; and

• Have existing, or the capacity to develop, active and equitable partnerships with in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders, including NGOs and private sector actors; and

• Have demonstrable experience administering successful and preferably similar programs in size, scope, and focus. S/GWI reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering federal awards. These applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.

S/GWI welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.

S/GWI’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.

Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

Please see 2 CFR 200.307 for regulations regarding program income.

Project activities can only benefit foreign nationals and should take place outside the United States.

S/GWI maintains an anti-discrimination policy in all its programs and activities. S/GWI welcomes full proposal submissions irrespective of race, ethnicity, heritage, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.

S/GWI is dedicated to promoting human rights, fundamental freedoms, and equality for all and seeks partners that will strive to inclusively implement these democratic values.

S/GWI works to ensure the integration of gender equality and the advancement of women and girls in U.S. foreign policy. S/GWI programs are flexible, civil society-focused, and global in reach. They are designed to incubate locally informed and implemented civil society-based solutions, inspiring and providing promising practices to advance women’s equality and empowerment as a keystone of U.S. foreign policy. Learning from this program will inform other U.S. policy, programs, and partnerships.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required.

3. Other Eligibility Requirements

All organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) issued via SAM.gov as well as a valid registration in SAM.gov. Please see Section E.3 for more information. Individuals are not required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.

Each prime applicant may submit up to two proposals. There is no limit to the number of proposals on which an applicant may serve as a sub-awardee.

C. Program Description

1. Goals and Objectives

Background Information:

The United States is committed to advancing women’s meaningful participation in peace, political, and security processes and integrating gender perspectives in U.S. foreign policy and national security decision-making, consistent with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 and the U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on WPS. The WPS Lines of Efforts on Participation, Protection, and Relief and Recovery are critical for effective conflict prevention and response efforts. In particular resolution and peace negotiations.

Women and girls play an integral role in building and maintaining global peace and security.

Evidence shows that when women are involved in peace negotiations, the agreements are more durable, they are more inclusive, and less likely to break down. However, despite this, women remain underrepresented in peace processes; in 2022, only 16% of peace negotiators were women, a decrease from 2020, and only one out of 18 peace agreements signed in 2022 included a woman signatory. Between 1992 and 2019, women averaged only 13 percent of negotiators, six percent of mediators, and six percent of signatories in major peace processes.

Furthermore, women continue to face disproportionate impacts from conflict and crisis, and their insights and leadership are essential for effective conflict resolution. Women civil society leaders and experts are powerful changemakers capable of fostering lasting peace.

Recent experiences underscore the complexities of advancing women’s roles in mediation efforts. For instance, challenges in the UN-facilitated talks in Syria limited the Women’s Advisory Board's ability to engage with conflict parties and siloed them to direct participation with the lead mediator. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, the Sub-Commission for Gender Issues, which aimed to support gender mainstreaming in peace negotiations, was discontinued when the talks collapsed, and it was not revived in subsequent platforms. In Yemen, the PACT mechanism faced criticism for being divisive and elitist, with opaque selection criteria that fostered perceptions of detachment from Yemeni civil society.

The United States is committed to fulfilling the mandate of the WPS Act of 2017, and for implementing the objectives of the U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on WPS. Line of Effort 1 on Participation seeks to support the preparation and meaningful participation of women and girls in civic and political leadership, in informal and formal decision-making processes, and in institutions related to peace and security.

Through a new mechanism, S/GWI seeks to advance the meaningful participation of women leaders and experts in track 1 and 1.5 mediation processes in priority country contexts focused on mitigating and resolving conflicts and crises.

This mechanism will focus on strengthening the technical capacity of women leaders to engage in mediation processes, as defined above, through both in-person and virtual platforms. It will also foster connections with other mediation experts and women leaders, who bring expertise and direct experience operating in track 1 and 1.5 mediation processes. Finally, this mechanism intends to engage with traditional power structures within the track 1 and 1.5 mediation processes, who often serve as gatekeepers to women’s meaningful participation, in order to foster greater support for and the inclusion of women’s participation in these spaces.

This flexible mechanism should be operated by an implementer with relevant, demonstrated experience in track 1/1.5 processes and WPS implementation. This should include the capacity and access to integrate into the design of track 1/1.5 processes, development of the agenda, and feed into the drafting of agreements. The selected recipient will have vast network of diverse women civil society leaders, including but not limited to those from the priority countries, and the capacity to provide logistical support and security at every stage of the peace processes to safely engage women during and after in person or virtual gatherings. Lastly, this mechanism should be designed to allow other donors, including by not limited to other countries and international organizations, to contribute additional resources.

Policy Statement:

The project resulting from this RSOI will support S/GWI’s implementation of the U.S.

Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017,4 and the 2023 U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on WPS.5 These strategies and legislation have identified crucial components of women’s leadership and meaningful participation for the U.S. approach to peace and security, including for conflict prevention and response, inclusive and meaningful political participation, peacebuilding, and political transitions. S/GWI programs also support human rights and inclusive democracy around the world by furthering gender equality.

Inclusive

Programming Approach:

4 U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 5 2023 U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on WPS https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=2c64085a5e29d86414dd393c9225a7eef21f0ec72fe647a80576f16c2bb41687JmltdHM9MTczNDM5MzYwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=21ea46f7-bceb-62d5-2a21-53a6bda46366&psq=us+women+peace+and+security+act+2017&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY29uZ3Jlc3MuZ292LzExNS9wbGF3cy9wdWJsNjgvUExBVy0xMTVwdWJsNjgucGRm&ntb=1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/U.S.-Strategy-and-National-Action-Plan-on-Women-Peace-and-Security.pdf

S/GWI is committed to equity, equality, and respect for human rights. S/GWI programs are expected to foster and/or address:

• Inclusive Environments, which means programs that foster involvement, respect, and connection in which the richness of diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued for all individuals.

• Social Inclusion, which means improving how individuals and groups take part in society – enhancing the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

• Intersectional nature of power and identity, which means how intersecting aspects of identity (sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, class, religion, race, ethnicity, age, disability, nationality, etc.)

interact with overlapping systems of discrimination and the need to address the impact these have on systemic access.

Proposal Results Framework:

Theory of Change:

If women civil society leaders and experts receive the funding, context-specific capacity building, and technical support to meaningfully participate as decision-makers in track 1/1.5 processes, and enabling environments are created between these leaders, broader civil society, and with the mediation and negotiation teams, then peace negotiations will result in more durable agreements and lasting peace.

Goal:

Advance the full and meaningful participation of women civil society leaders and experts and strengthen their ability to influence the outcomes of track 1/1.5 conflict mediation processes.

Achieving this goal requires that the women are able to represent their communities and safely contribute their expertise and are supported with the necessary resources and protection to engage in formal negotiations, shape final peace agreements, and promote lasting peace.

Objective 1: Support Women Civil Society Leaders/Experts' Meaningful Participation in the Track 1/1.5 Mediation Processes

• Develop, in consultation with S/GWI, a comprehensive and adaptable methodology tailored to the unique needs of each priority country's conflict context and evolving mediation process to realize women’s participation in track 1/1.5 mediation processes. This methodology will establish clear criteria for selecting, building trust and cohesion between stakeholders, facilitating, and (as relevant) rotating women participants from varied communities; ensuring their broader, impactful involvement; and strengthening the overall effectiveness of the track 1/1.5 mediation process(es).

• Increase women's direct access, influence and membership in mediation teams, party delegations, and civil society delegations, both in-person and virtually, while providing the necessary financial support, capacity building, development of prevention and risk mitigation approaches, and technical support and protection.

Illustrative project activities may include:

• Conduct mapping exercises in coordination with local women leaders and women-led civil society organizations, networks, and groups, to identify gaps and opportunities in conflict contexts.

• Co-develop selection criteria with civil society in priority countries to identify women based on their expertise and the specific needs of the track 1/1.5mediation process (e.g., prioritizing those with expertise in ceasefire discussions and humanitarian aid if those are the focus areas of the mediation process, and ensuring fair representation of diverse perspectives across issues).

• Develop structured criteria for the types of women leaders that will be supported by the program, including to assess their level of existing expertise. There should be a clear and transparent method for evaluating potential participants and prioritize methods for broader engagement.

• Develop and implement a strategy, in collaboration with S/GWI and, as relevant and applicable, mediation and negotiation teams to ensure women actively participate in and inform key process design elements of the track 1/1.5 mediation process, including but not limited to agenda and format setting, participation and inclusivity, and national ownership.

• Design and facilitate regular virtual or in-person engagements for women participants with the mediation team and key stakeholders, including negotiating parties, country observers, and other delegations, to ensure continuous information exchange and feedback loops. Each session will include interpretation and written summaries to ensure accessibility and documentation of discussions.

• Develop an advisory board of track 1/1.5 mediation experts and former lead mediators and negotiators to provide technical support and coaching, and to advise while the “Women for PEACE Councils” engage with the track 1/1.5 mediation process and its actors.

• Because the women will be known publicly as participants in Track 1/1.5 processes, their safety both online and offline will need to be addressed. Facilitate training on reprisals/intimidation/mitigation plans, including online safety. Prepare strategies and advise women participants on security protocols to support their personal and physical safety (e.g., related to their physical travel to and from mediation activities, etc.).

• Provide access to mental health and psychosocial support services to participants during their involvement in the track 1/1.5 mediation process.

• Facilitate the travel for women to participate in track 1/1.5 mediation processes, including but not limited support with flights, visas, lodging, per diems, meeting space, interpretation, interpretation equipment and meeting support (e.g., capturing notes, writing outputs to be shared publicly)

• Partner with media, the private sector, and other stakeholders to provide training, amplify women’s voices in Track 1/1.5 mediation processes, and document their contributions to ensure transparency and enhance credibility.

• Create a training program for writing policy or position papers, building consensus, engaging in negotiations, and working through formal and informal channels.

Objective 2: Facilitate Engagement of Women Civil Society Leaders/Experts Participating in Track 1/1.5 Mediation Processes with Broader Civil Society

• Simultaneously enhance the inclusion of diverse women civil society leaders beyond the project’s Women for PEACE Councils through information sharing, best practices, communication, and feedback loops with civil society groups, private sector, donors, governments and multilateral institutions with equities in the priority country. Such a process will ensure greater contextual understanding, transparency, legitimacy, and inclusivity within the priority countries' conflict mediation processes.

Illustrative project activities may include:

• Develop and implement a strategy, in collaboration with S/GWI and, as relevant and applicable, mediation and negotiation teams, to ensure women actively participate in and inform key process design elements of the track 1/1.5 mediation process, including but not limited to agenda and format setting, participation and inclusivity, and national ownership.

• Design and facilitate regular virtual or in-person engagements for women participants with the mediation team and key stakeholders, including negotiating parties, country observers, and other delegations, to ensure continuous information exchange and feedback loops. Each session must include appropriate interpretation services and written summaries to ensure accessibility and documentation of discussions.

• Develop an expert advisory committee of track 1/1.5 mediation experts and former lead mediators and negotiators to provide technical support, mentoring, and coaching, as the “Women for PEACE Councils” engage with the track 1/1.5 mediation process and its actors.

• Facilitate training on reprisals/intimidation/mitigation plans, physical and digital security, including related to data –protection and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and the impacts of the women’s participation in the track 1/1.5 processes. Prepare individualized risk assessments and mitigation strategies, and advise women participants on security protocols, to support their personal and physical safety (e.g., related to their physical travel to and from mediation activities, how to seek support if they’re being attacked online or offline, etc.).

• Provide access to mental health and psychosocial support services to participants throughout their involvement in the track 1/1.5 mediation process (i.e., before, during, and after, as needed).

• Provide emergency response/contingency funds to support women’s safety for any urgent and unexpected situations that may occur due to their participation in program activities.

• Facilitate the travel for women to participate in track 1/1.5 mediation processes, including but not limited support with flights, visas, lodging, transit to and from meetings, per diems, meeting space, interpretation, interpretation equipment and meeting support (e.g., capturing notes, writing outputs to be shared publicly).

• Host quarterly virtual townhalls that bring together women leaders participating in the conflict mediation process, and broader civil society. If relevant, townhalls could also include mediators. Townhalls may provide a platform for sharing updates from those directly involved in the process and gathering insights from civil society groups not directly engaged, fostering greater transparency, localized approaches, and inclusivity.

• Assist women leaders participating in the mediation process in developing actionable outputs and recommendations, informed by wider civil society, that can be used by the mediation and negotiating teams. These recommendations will incorporate localized, context-specific approaches to conflict resolution, helping to advance the mediation process and contribute to a sustainable path to peace.

Objective 3: Facilitate Engagement of Women Civil Society Leaders/Experts in Track 1/1.5 Processes with Traditional Power Structures and to Strengthen an Enabling Environment supportive of Women’s Meaningful Participation

• Engage with traditional power structures within the track 1/1.5 mediation processes to advance women civil society leader’s and expert’s meaningful participation in order to enhance security outcomes and durable peace. This engagement will aim to foster greater support for inclusive approaches, highlighting the positive impact of women’s participation on the effectiveness, legitimacy, and sustainability of peacebuilding efforts.

Illustrative project activities may include:

• Propose innovative approaches for engaging leaders within traditional power structures and decision-makers within the mediation process to identify and develop champions willing to support the participation of women and civil society expertise.

• Provide training on inclusion and unconscious bias for traditional structure leaders (e.g. men mediators and negotiators, and mediation process gatekeepers), focusing on the importance of diverse perspectives in peacebuilding. This training could also highlight how inclusive processes are more effective in addressing the needs of all stakeholders in conflict-affected regions.

• Identify and support allies who can use their influence to advocate for women’s participation, challenge biases against women, and serve as role models for other male gatekeepers.

• Launch media campaigns or public statements from respected leaders advocating for the inclusion of women in peace processes. Prioritizing a do no harm approach, these campaigns could highlight the positive outcomes of inclusive approaches, aiming to shift public opinion and encourage other stakeholders to follow suit.

• Work with leaders and stakeholders to integrate inclusive language and strategies into formal mediation frameworks or peace agreements. By aligning women’s inclusion with the strategic interests of these stakeholders, the mediation process becomes more likely to adopt inclusive practices.

Intended Results:

Possible intended results may include:

• Women civil society and peacebuilders receive technical support, protection and logistical support to participate in track 1/1.5 mediation and peace processes.

• Increased numbers of women leaders meaningfully participate in track 1/1.5 mediation processes in the priority countries.

• Track 1/1.5 mediation and peace processes become more inclusive and drive forward context specific approaches, resulting in more durable agreements and peaceful societies.

• Women civil society and peacebuilders accomplish their policy objectives in these peace processes.

Indicators:

Applicant monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plans should include at least two of the following indicators, as relevant:

• GNDR-1: Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed or adopted with USG assistance designed to promote gender equality or non-discrimination against women or girls at the national or sub-national level.

• GNDR-5: Number of legal instruments drafted, proposed, or adopted with USG assistance designed to improve prevention of or response to sexual and gender-based violence at the national or sub-national level.

• GNDR-8: Number of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female empowerment through their roles in public or private sector institutions or organizations.

• GNDR-10: Number of local women participating in a substantive role or position in a peacebuilding process supported with USG assistance.

• DR.4.2-2b: Number of women’s rights civil society organizations (CSOs) receiving USG assistance engaged in advocacy interventions.

• DR.4-1: Number of USG-supported activities designed to promote or strengthen the civic participation of women.

Applicants may also propose other indicators relevant to the proposed activities for consideration. S/GWI expects at least one outcome indicator for each objective in the final MEL plan to reflect the overarching logic model for the proposal, but respects that those will be finalized during the start-up stages of an award.

2. Substantial Involvement

Applicants should be aware that if their application results in an award, S/GWI will be involved in the program and management performance of the award in the form of a cooperative agreement, which allows S/GWI to undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement such as consultation and technical collaboration rights on specified project activities. Examples of substantial involvement can include:

a. Approval of recipient annual work plan, including planned activities for the following year and changes to any activity to be carried out under the agreement;

b. Collaboration in identifying, developing, and approving additional countries/projects for implementation in consultation with U.S. embassies, as relevant;

c. Collaboration on identifying and approving additional international partner organizations that may work in coordination with S/GWI and recipient;

d. Review of notice of funding opportunities and approval of sub-award recipients, concurrence on the substantive provisions of the sub-awards, and coordination with other cooperating agencies;

e. Approval of the MEL plan for the recipient and sub-award recipients;

f. Approval of Terms of Reference (TOR) for program evaluations;

g. Approval of hiring announcements and selection of technical experts on issues such as Track 1 and1.5 mediation processes, including but not limited to key personnel;

h. Collaboration in assessing progress and identifying issues that might affect the success of the program; and

i. Other approvals that will be included in the award agreement.

D. Application Contents and Format

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be deemed ineligible. S/GWI’s NOFO Proposal Checklist (Attachment 1) provides a list of all required documents.

Content of Application

Please ensure:

I. The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity

II. All documents are in English

III. All budgets are in U.S. dollars

IV. All pages are numbered

V. All documents are formatted to fit 8 ½ x 11 paper, and

VI. All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.

a. Captions and footnotes may be 10-point Calibri font. Applicants may also use a smaller font size for tables, charts, graphics, and text boxes included in the proposal documents to ensure that content fits within the page limits and margins.

Complete proposal submissions for this NOFO must include the following:

I. Completed and signed SF-424, SF-424A and SF424B forms, and the SF-LLL, if applicable. Applicants under consideration for an award that may engage in lobbying activities are required to submit a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form. The SF-424 documents collect basic information on the applicant, the proposed project, the funding amount requested, and information about the announcement to which it is applying. Submission of these forms is mandatory.

II. Cover Page (not to exceed one [1] page, preferably as a Word Document) stating the name of the organization, project title, target country/locations, beneficiary information, proposed project dates, requested funding amount, a brief synopsis of the project goal and objectives, and the contact information for the application’s main point of contact. This page does not count towards the page limit of the proposal narrative.

III. Table of Contents (not to exceed one [1] page, preferably as a Word Document) listing all documents and attachments with page numbers. This page does not count towards the page limit of the proposal narrative.

IV. Proposal Narrative (not to exceed 15 pages, single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font in Microsoft Word, with a minimum of 1-inch margins). The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do. The “SGWI Sample Cover Page Proposal Narrative Instructions” (Attachment 2) provides specific and detailed guidance on each of the below required sections that should be used as a guide while compiling your submission package. The proposal narrative must include:

a. Section 1 - Executive Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed project, including goal, objectives, key activities, and planned regions/countries. This section should not exceed one [1] page.

b. Section 2 - Background: This section should provide the background for the problem or opportunity the project is seeking to address, including a clear and concise problem statement; alignment with U.S. policy goals; a brief context analysis; and overview of relevant current efforts.

c. Section 3 - Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve. The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.

d. Section 4 - Methodology and Implementation: This section should outline the project description, project methods and design, profile of the target population & inclusion, value for money, and sustainability.

e. Section 5 - Organizational Capacity and Program Partners: Introduce your organization and provide a description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the project, including information on all previous federal awards.

V. Summary and Detailed Budget (submitted in US Dollars and in a Microsoft Excel file, using the format shown in the budget template included as Attachment 3).

a. Applicants should propose sufficient yet lean and scalable staffing structures that provide adequate oversight and central management but maximize appropriate and local expertise and leadership (rather than defaulting to in-house experts). As a general guideline, at least 30 percent of funding under the award should go to local organizations and their activities — this may include Contractual and Other Direct Costs in support of local organizations, for example, but generally should not include prime grantee staffing, travel, overhead etc. Support for the establishment of new in-country offices is not envisioned under this NOFO.

VI. Budget Justification Narrative (single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font in Microsoft Word, with a minimum of 1-inch margins) that includes a brief explanation for each line item in the Detailed Budget spreadsheet and, if applicable, the Subgrantee Budget spreadsheet(s), as well as the source and description of any cost share offered. Directions on completing a budget narrative are included in Attachment 4.

Use of the S/GWI budget narrative template is recommended but not required.

a. Please note: Recipients under S/GWI-funded projects are responsible for complying with all applicable tax treaties and federal, state, and local laws on tax withholding and reporting for project participants.

b. See Section I below for additional information on guidelines for budget justification.

VII. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan detailing project’s short-term and long-term goal(s), objective(s), activities, outputs and intended results/outcomes; provide matching indicators and explain how impact and effectiveness will be monitored, evaluated, and used for learning and adaptation throughout the program. Directions on completing a MEL plan are included in Attachment 5a. Use of the S/GWI MEL plan template (Attachment 5b) is recommended but not required. The MEL plan must include:

a. A notional logic model/results framework6 and performance monitoring plan (PMP), including a succinct Theory of Change and a streamlined set of indicators at each of the following levels: objective, intermediate outcome, and output. In addition to the indicators included under Section C above, please find a more comprehensive list of standard U.S. Foreign Assistance (FA) indicators that S/GWI commonly uses for programming included in Attachment 5c. In addition to designing their own indicators, applicants should integrate the most relevant indicators from this list into their MEL plan, as appropriate;

b. A description of how the project will be monitored and analyzed for impact, effectiveness, learning, adaptation and to avoid unintended consequences;

c. A timeline for data collection, analysis, and how this will inform midstream program management;

d. A rigorous plan for compiling, documenting, and disseminating program results and lessons learned;

e. The resources, including budget, needed to implement the MEL plan;

f. A demonstrated commitment to inclusive and equitable MEL, including whether evaluation design, data collection, analysis, reporting and learning are conducted in an ethical, participatory, and responsible way;7 and

7 For best practices, see the WHO ethical and safety recommendations for researching, documenting and monitoring sexual violence in emergencies.

https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241595681/en/ https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241595681/en/

g. Adequate provisions for data security to protect the privacy of human subjects when collecting data from individuals.

VIII. Implementation Timeline (preferably submitted in a Microsoft Excel file, or table in a Microsoft Word file; not to exceed one [1] page), indicating which month(s) activities are to be implemented and organized according to the Department of State’s fiscal year quarters. The timeline of the overall proposal should include activities, evaluation efforts, and project closeout. Use of the S/GWI timeline template (Attachment 6) is recommended but not required.

IX. Risk Analysis and Mitigation Plan detailing adequate risk analysis and remediation plans. Risk assessment and mitigation planning should occur throughout the life of a project, resulting in revisions to risk analysis documents and processes as necessary but, at minimum, on an annual basis. Applicants should include all assumptions and external factors in the risk analysis, including and especially safety and security of staff, participants and beneficiaries, as well as, with regards to technology. This includes providing information on applicant’s internal policies with regards to safeguarding and protection of implementer staff, sub-implementer staff, and project beneficiaries from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

Applicants should rate the likelihood of a risk and potential impact of the risk as “High,” “Medium,” or “Low.”

a. Risks are unavoidable – all projects inherently contain both internal and external risks. However, with proper identification and management, risks can be prepared for, minimized, or mitigated. The purpose of a risk analysis is to identify the internal and external risks associated with the proposed project in the application, rate the likelihood of the risks, rate the potential impact of the risks on the project, and identify actions that could help mitigate the risks. S/GWI’s risk analysis template (Attachment 7) is provided and recommended but not required. S/GWI also welcomes more detailed models.

X. Gender and Inclusion Analysis (not to exceed 3 pages per benefitting country, single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font in Microsoft Word, with a minimum of 1-inch margins), identifying relevant gender gaps and opportunities and ways the work will address those gaps and opportunities. The analysis should also demonstrate sound approaches to social inclusion, including but not limited to ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other groups often discriminated against or excluded from decision-making. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing relevant gender gaps enhance the project’s goals and objectives and how the gender and inclusion analysis will be revisited, updated, and adapted throughout implementation. In addition to being weaved into the proposal narrative, this should also be a standalone document and attached to the application. Please review the S/GWI Gender and Inclusion Analysis Guidance included in this NOFO package (Attachment 8) for additional information.

XI. Key Personnel document (not to exceed one [1] page, single-spaced, 12-point Calibri font in Microsoft Word, with a minimum of 1-inch margins) providing the names, titles, roles/responsibilities, and relevant experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program. Include in this document and/or the budget narrative what proportion of their time will be used in support of this program.

XII. Additional attachments may be included, (letters of commitment from the applicant institution and sub-award partners, CVs of key personnel, additional information on organizational capacity, but should not be unreasonably lengthy; and will not count against page limitations.

XIII. If your organization has a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, include your latest NICRA as a PDF file.

XIV. A PDF file copy of your organization’s most recent financial audit.

Applications that do not include the elements listed above will be deemed technically ineligible. More details on technical eligibility are provided below in Section E.4.

S/GWI reserves the right to request additional documents not included in this announcement. Additionally, to ensure that all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the S/GWI review panel will review from the first page of each section up to the stated page limit and no further.

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package

Required application forms are available via MyGrants and on Grants.gov.

2. Department of State Contacts

Questions must be submitted by the Questions Deadline (23:59 EST on 17 January 2025) to SGWIProjectProposals@state.gov using the email subject line, “Women for PEACE:

[Applicant Organization Name] Questions.”

To maintain fairness and transparency in competition, S/GWI will compile any substantive questions received along with the responses and post them in a document appear on SAMS Domestic (https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com) and Grants.gov (www.grants.gov). Substantive questions will not be fielded outside of this process or after the deadline.

During the solicitation period, with the exception of technical submission questions, U.S.

Department of State staff in Washington D.C. and overseas will not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process has been completed and approval and rejection letters have been transmitted.

Please remember, all completed applications must be submitted electronically via MyGrants (https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com) or Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) by the deadline of 23:59 (EST) on 17 February 2025.

3. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations

All prime organizations, whether based in the United States or in another country, must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov before submitting an application. S/GWI may not review applications from or make awards to applicants that have not completed all applicable UEI and SAM.gov requirements. A UEI is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. An applicant must maintain an active registration while it has a proposal under review by the Department and must continue to keep the registration active for the entire duration of the period of performance of any Federal award that results from this NOFO.

As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required for federal assistance applications.

mailto:SGWIProjectProposals@state.gov https://mygrants.servicenowservices.com/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

The 2 CFR 200 requires that sub-grantees obtain a UEI number. Please note the UEI for sub-grantees is not required at the time of application but will be required before the award is processed and/or directed to a sub-grantee.

Note: The process of obtaining or renewing a SAM.gov registration may take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Please begin your registration as early as possible.

• Organizations based in the United States or that pay employees within the United States will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, and a UEI number prior to registering in SAM.gov. Please note that, as of February 2023, organizations based in the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities.

• Organizations based outside of the United States and that do not pay employees within the United States do not need an EIN from the IRS but do need a UEI prior to registering in SAM.gov. Please note that as of December 2022, organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities.

Organizations based outside of the United States that do not intend to apply for U.S.

Department of Defense (DoD) awards are no longer required to have a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code to apply for non-DoD foreign assistance funding opportunities. If an applicant organization is mid-registration and wishes to remove an NCAGE code from their SAM.gov registration, the applicant should submit a help desk ticket (“incident”) with the Federal Service Desk (FSD) online at www.fsd.gov using the following language: “I do not intend to seek financial assistance from the Department of Defense. I do not wish to obtain an NCAGE code.