Call for Proposals: Complementary Response Small Grants Program (CRSGP) FY 2023
U.S. Embassy Tallinn in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs is pleased to welcome proposals for the Complementary Response Small Grants Program (CRSGP) from potential partners working to assist Ukrainian refugees in Estonia. This support is meant to meet gaps in refugee protection and assistance.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
In light of the unprecedented refugee influx due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Embassy of the United States in Tallinn announces an open competition for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society and private organizations assisting Ukrainian refugees in Estonia to submit applications to the Complementary Response Small Grants Program (CRSGP). We seek proposals from any organization or individual that meets the program eligibility requirements below. Applicants may submit a proposal focused on one or a few of the themes below. CRSGP funding proposals should NOT seek to address all of these issues in one application. This notice is subject to availability of funds – for details, please visit grants.gov .
Potential projects supporting Ukrainian refugee communities can focus on:
• Assistance to local communities or Estonian NGOs to address housing shortages for refugees from Ukraine;
• Providing social services, including healthcare, legal counseling, psychological support, and education;
• Training, including language training, for refugees in support of their employment and integration in Estonian society;
• Promotion of equal access to protection, assistance, and other solutions for refugees with disabilities, socially vulnerable refugees, LGBTQI+ refugees, and other vulnerable refugee populations;
• Promotion of civil society and association building among refugees;
• Facilitating free flow of information (including support for independent media) to refugee populations and/or countering disinformation;
• Public education and advocacy (including civic education) related to national refugee policies and plans, refugee rights, services and integration;
• Conflict resolution or protection of human rights and promotion of tolerance;
• Anti-trafficking and anti-corruption
PARTICIPANTS AND AUDIENCES:
Projects should be designed to benefit the Ukrainian refugee community. Projects can serve Ukrainians directly in Estonia or indirectly through training or other programs for persons that provide services that impact the well-being of Ukrainian refugees in the country. Projects that include host-country participants that encourage integration of Ukrainian refugees into the local community will be considered, but projects must ensure that at least 50 percent of participants are Ukrainian refugees.
ELIGILIBITY INFORMATION:
The following organizations that operate in-country are eligible to apply:
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supporting Ukrainian refugee communities;
• Civil society organizations (CSOs) supporting Ukrainian refugee communities;
• Nonprofit organizations supporting Ukrainian refugee communities;
• Think tanks or academic institutions;
• Private organizations supporting Ukrainian refugee communities;
• Public and private educational institutions
• Municipal or local governments and their affiliated institutions.*
*State institutions are not eligible to receive funding. Proposals from municipal or local government bodies should clearly state why the entity is uniquely positioned to execute the project or how the entity will partner with non-governmental institutions to execute the project. Grants to local or municipal government bodies will be assessed on case-by-case basis.
APPLICATION PACKAGE & DEADLINE:
In order to be considered for this funding opportunity, please submit your complete application packages by email to talpolec@state.gov by March 4, 2023 . All applications that do not meet the March 4 deadline will automatically be disqualified.
1. Project Proposal (note: all applications must be in English)
2. Mandatory application forms:
• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals)
• SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)
• SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals and for organizations not registered in SAM.gov)
REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS:
A review committee will evaluate all eligible applications based on the scoring criteria listed below.
Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 20 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out to complement existing programs and efforts. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline to address a critical need of Ukrainian refugees.
Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 20 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.
Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program.
Support of Equity and Underserved Communities – 10 points: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and ensure underserved communities are not excluded from participation in program administration, design, and implementation.
QUESTION?
Please contact Nikolai Kunitsõn and Riina Tannia at talpolec@state.gov should you need any additional information.
