Strengthening Government through Civil Society Engagement

This funding will support United States government objectives under the U.S. Strategy for Central America (Strategy), and are accomplished through the promotion of prosperity, enhancement of security, and improvement of governance.  These objectives are also included under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), which is a component of the Strategy.  Within Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), the United States works with partner nations to strengthen institutions to counter the effects of organized crime, uphold the rule of law, and protect human rights.  Institution building is coupled with both prevention projects that dissuade at-risk youth from turning to crime and gangs and community policing projects that engage local communities on citizen security issues. 

U.S. Embassy San Jose invites qualified U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or non U.S.-based NGOs, and U.S. and non U.S.-based  public and private institutions of higher education to submit proposals that include an implementation strategy focused on: Strong, Capable and Accountable Governments through Governance, an objective of the U.S. Strategy for Central America.  Proposals should be oriented toward activities by civil society organizations working with governments to improve the delivery of government services, particularly to vulnerable and/or marginalized communities and in areas outside of the Central Valley and within Costa Rica.  These proposals will assist or complement central/local/municipal government efforts to increase and improve services.  Proposals should facilitate citizens’ abilities to hold the government accountable for its responsibilities.