Strengthening Government Through Civil Society Engagement

The NOFO and submitted proposals should focus on Pillar II of the Root Causes Strategy (RCS): Combating corruption, strengthening democratic governance, and advancing the rule of law. 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 U.S. assistance 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 but 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. Proposals cannot provide direct support to the central, regional, or municipal governments of Costa Rica. 

Applicants should address the following objective: 

Objective: Post is interested in projects that focus on activities by CSOs working with the government to fight corruption and increase transparency and openness, especially at the municipal level. Proposals aimed at combatting corruption could help Costa Rica in its efforts to digitalize government services and/or procurement processes to increase efficiency, delivery, and transparency. Post is also interested in projects that help governments take action to reduce the impacts of climate change, by building the capacity of local institutions and empowering them to generate solutions and manage adaption initiatives over the long term. 

U.S. Embassy San Jose reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted and will determine the resulting level of funding for the award. The authority for this NOFO is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.  

Eligible organizations interested in submitting an application are encouraged to read this NOFO thoroughly to understand the type of project sought and the application submission requirements and evaluation process. 

For further information, please contact: 

U.S. Embassy San Jose   

E-mail: SanJoseCarsiESF@state.gov