Questions and Answers_Preserving Afghanistan’s Diverse Cultural Heritage.pdf

Preserving Afghanistan’s Diverse Cultural Heritage (SCAKAB-23-GR-007-SCA-06022023)

Questions and Answer

1. Questions: Regarding the funding restrictions: Are we allowed to use local radio and TV for advocacy and broadcasting of our educational and awareness activities to show importance of cultural heritage, etc.?

Answer: Yes, radio and TV programming is an allowable activity under this NOFO. We would welcome any activities that contribute to the long-term preservation of cultural heritage in Afghanistan and strengthen a unified national identity by increasing awareness of Afghanistan’s shared cultural traits and traditions through cultural events, festivals, exhibitions, and educational programming.

2. Questions: We would like to know the difference (duration, number of months etc..)

between the base period and optional periods.

Answer: Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) anticipates supporting a project under this NOFO with a base period of performance of up to 24 months. For this opportunity, we do not require the applicants to submit budget for option periods, meaning additional time beyond the 24 months of the base period. However, contingent upon availability of additional funds, PDS may consider option period after successful implementation of the base period.

3. Questions: We are particularly interested in knowing whether the activities mentioned in the funding opportunity will be carried out in countries hosting Afghan refugees. The NOFO states that the objective of the project is to contribute to the long-term preservation of cultural heritage in Afghanistan, with the aim of strengthening a unified national identity.

We believe that achieving this goal could involve conducting activities in host countries, such as cultural mapping of Afghan intangible heritage, and involving Afghan refugees in the preservation of their cultural heritage.

Answer: Yes, we are open to reviewing project ideas that conduct activities in countries that host Afghan refugees. However, we strongly prefer to fund a project that some of its activities involves Afghans inside Afghanistan.

4. Questions: I'm inquiring as to whether you have had conversations with any other organizations in advance of the NOFO being released. We'd greatly appreciate this information as we determine whether we're a competitive candidate for the grant.

Answer: This is a new funding opportunity and there is no incumbent implementer. This

NOFO is open to all non-profit organizations. Please refer to section C of the NOFO for more details.

5. Questions: Is this for Afghani and US applications, or solely Afghani?. Eligibility sections says non-profits are eligible but doesn’t say anything about the country of residence.

Answer: This funding opportunity is open only to eligible non-profit organizations. The organization can be based in the U.S. or in Afghanistan or elsewhere. Please refer to section

C of the NOFO for more details regarding the eligibility. Private, for-profit organizations and other entities may serve as sub-award/contract, but only eligible non-profit organizations be the prime recipient of the award under this NOFO.