The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Qatar announces the opening of a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for non-profit organizations and individuals to carry out projects that address the climate crisis while promoting gender equality. Interested applicants should follow the below application instructions. The deadline for application is July 21, 2023. Program Objectives: Combatting climate change and empowering women to lead initiatives in the fields of clean energy, sustainable agriculture, recycling, and upcycling, combatting disinformation, environmental activism, and educational programs on the climate crisis. Programs should seek to address the underlying inequalities that limit women and girls’ leadership in addressing climate challenges, and/or hinder their meaningful inclusion in climate resilience, peacebuilding, and economic development (e.g., limited access to education or finance, traditional roles, and responsibilities, etc.). There is a growing emphasis in Qatar to tackle climate change issues, promote sustainability, and address Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns. Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to direct Qatar towards a balance between developmental needs and the protection of its natural environment. The vision also emphasizes the importance of increasing citizens’ awareness of their role in protecting the country’s environment for their children and the nation’s future generations. Per the World Bank, Qatar faces risks from several natural hazards, including floods, droughts, and sand and dust storms. Climate change has a significant impact on national security and threatens efforts to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable populations, especially women and girls. The climate crisis is not “gender neutral.” Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, which amplify existing gender inequalities and pose unique threats to their livelihoods, health, and safety. Examples of some programs include, but are not limited to: · Professional and academic exchanges, educational and capacity building programs that address women’s participation, climate crisis adaptation, and the application of technology for sustainability solutions. This may include training women on the use of appropriate technologies for climate action such as the use of applications or sensors to monitor drinking water quality and tracking air pollution. Academic and professional lectures, seminars, workshops, and speaker programs that strengthen the capacity of women-led organizations to participate meaningfully in discussions regarding national and local policies on climate change adaptation; and assist women-led climate organizations and businesses that advance gender-equitable climate solutions. · Engagements with preeminent U.S. scientists and engineers leveraging their expertise and networks to forge connections with Qatari governments, businesses, universities, and the private sector to identify opportunities for sustained cooperation. · Programs that support transparency and accountability on environmental governance and advancing gender equality through social and traditional media. · Programs and activities that enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability of people, places, or livelihoods to climate variability and change, and related extreme weather events. · Programs that help address extreme heat as an adaptation challenge. · Programs that increase awareness about biodiversity and environmental protection especially as related to water and/or coastal communities. · Programs and activities that enable reliable, efficient, sustainable, and secure energy systems by promoting and enabling the production, procurement, and use of renewable energy technologies and energy-efficient end-use technologies. · Programs and activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land by working with the public and private sectors, including civil society, to promote sustainable land use practices and guide land use change while improving economic and environmental sustainability in partner countries. Participants and Audiences: Applicants should have considerable, practical, and relevant experience in the implementation of the proposed activities to be seriously considered for this project. Previous experience working with Qatari audiences is preferable. Priority audiences for this program include: • Qatari women and girls, especially those living in rural and remote areas • Qatari youth/students • Qatari local decision makers, established opinion leaders, and influencers • Media outlets and experts • Teachers and academic professionals working with Qatari students • Emerging Qatari voices Please note that proposals addressing audiences not listed above are still eligible, but such proposals must clearly indicate why addressing the proposed audience is especially important to achieving the goals stated in Section A of this Notice of Funding Opportunity. The following types of programs are not eligible for funding: • Programs relating to partisan political activity • Charitable or development activities/ fund-raising campaigns • Construction projects • Programs that support specific religious activities • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs • Scientific research • Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization • Programs that duplicate existing programs Authorizing legislation, type, and year of funding: Funding authority rests in the Smith-Mundt. The source of funding is FY2023 Public Diplomacy Funding. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: 3 to 18 months Number of awards anticipated: Multiple awards (dependent on amounts) Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000, though PAS encourages applicants to create proposals that are well below the maximum threshold of $100,000. Total available funding: $150,000 (Subject to availability of funds) Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2023 Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds Anticipated program start date: September 01, 2023 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant, Fixed Amount Award (FAA), or cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements and some FAAs are different from grants in that bureau/embassy staff are more actively involved in the grant implementation (“Substantial Involvement”). In instances where a cooperative agreement or FAA is issued instead of a grant, U.S. Embassy in Qatar, PAS will be substantially involved in program activities above and beyond routine monitoring. These shall be documented in the award document, signed by the Grants Officer. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 18 months or less. The U.S. Department of State will entertain applications for continuation grants funded under these awards 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. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION: All application materials must be submitted in English to
[email protected]. Application will be accepted till July 21, 2023. For any questions, please email us. In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration with the SAM.gov. Individuals are not required to have a UEI number or be registered in SAM.gov. Mandatory Application forms are available for download in the Related Documents section, along with the Full Announcement. Mandatory Application forms are also available at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html Please follow all instructions detailed here and in the Full Announcement for this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Proposals that do not meet or fail to comply with the requirements of this announcement will be deemed ineligible.