Description
The U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Hungary of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to provide support to Hungarian organizations that are working to dispel harmful prejudices against vulnerable populations in Hungary. Priority Region: Hungary Program Objectives: Activities under this cooperative agreement will support building the capacity and expanding the reach of qualifying organizations that develop and execute programming initiatives that reverse myths, misconceptions, and prejudices that have a damaging effect on vulnerable populations, including specifically LGBTQI+ people in Hungary. The program may include research and program implementation designed to identify target audiences, test and develop resonant content (including educational materials, trainings, knowledge-sharing, academic publications, etc.), and optimal communication and engagement strategies for reversing prejudices. The embassy will prioritize proposals that will empower and support sub-recipients in developing new and creative content ideas and audience engagement methods that would meet the program objective of reducing societal prejudice against vulnerable populations including LGBTQI+ people. The implementing partner will manage funds that will be used for the benefit of and disbursement to sub-recipients for expenditures that generally fall within the following funding categories: • Conducting market research to determine optimal target audience, content, and engagement strategies. • Supporting and mentoring sub-grantees to develop and implement initiatives that meet the program objectives. • Providing funding for sub-grantees to increase their capacity for implementing communications and outreach projects that apply lessons learned from research and mentorship. • Travel costs for research projects, sub-recipient oversight, and engagements with target audiences outside of Budapest. • Other relevant programmatic activities in support of these goals with prior embassy approval. Participants: The implementing partner must: • Be based in Hungary (preferred) or the Central Europe region, or have a substantial local presence which allows for hands-on program management and monitoring/evaluation activities. • Have the capacity to expeditiously disburse funds to sub-recipients (beneficiaries) in compliance with U.S., Hungarian, and EU regulations. • Regularly consult with the U.S. Embassy in Budapest on funding decisions, program activities, monitoring and evaluation, and other grant activities. Sub-recipients/sub-grantees must fall into one of the following categories: • Independent civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, community groups, educational institutions, or private individuals. For programming purposes, an independent organization is defined as one which is not directly or indirectly affiliated with or funded by a political party, partisan organization, or political candidate. Final determination of an organization’s status as an independent entity shall be made by the U.S. Embassy in Budapest.