Strengthening Government through Civil Society Engagement

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. Proposals should include a methodology to survey beneficiaries before and after activities occur to measure quantitative and qualitative progress. Applicants should address the following objective: Objective: Civil society provides support to improve basic local, municipal, or central government services. Proposals should be oriented toward activities by civil society organizations working to improve, expand or complement the delivery of government services, particularly to vulnerable and/or marginalized communities and in areas outside of the Central Valley but within Costa Rica in an effort to help create strong, capable, and accountable governments. Illustrative examples include (1) community and neighborhood-based education, training, or after-school programs; (2) projects that will increase citizen participation with government and judicial sector institutions to strengthen security in their neighborhoods; (3) projects that will improve the capacity of government transparency and e-government initiatives; and (4) projects intended to improve government capacity to provide basic services. 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.