NOFO: Supporting Human Rights Defenders, Civic Activists, and Journalists (Ukraine)

Scores of Ukrainian defenders of fundamental freedoms are serving in the military, delivering humanitarian aid, or documenting and reporting on war crimes. These individuals are frequently the first people on the scene of horrific events. In their roles, they are witnessing death and destruction, which has a lingering and traumatic effect on their daily lives. The mental health toll on these individuals and their family members is immense.

To address the mental well-being of defenders of fundamental freedoms in Ukraine and their families, DRL seeks to support their MHPSS needs and build the capacity of local MHPSS service providers to deliver necessary support services. Having access to trusted and well-informed services to address trauma, burnout, and other MHPSS needs should improve the ability of the defenders of fundamental freedoms in Ukraine to build resilience and continue their critical work as the war rages on.

Objectives

• Project objectives may include, but are not limited to:
  • defenders of fundamental freedoms and their families have opportunities to seek and receive psycho-social support and other mental health assistance to alleviate burnout and trauma and increase their resilience and ability to safeguard democracy and human rights; and
  • local mental health service providers are better positioned to understand the unique MHPSS needs of the defenders of fundamental freedoms and deliver appropriate support services. The project may include individuals and organizations as beneficiaries, and should seek to achieve a balance between the two types of beneficiaries. As there are many potential beneficiaries, the project should develop clear criteria for assistance and a transparent selection process.

Funding Information

• Total Funding Floor: $868,278 FY23 AEECA Supplemental
• Total Funding Ceiling: $868,278 FY23 AEECA Supplemental
• Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
• Period of Performance: 24-36 months

Project Activities

• Project activities may include, but are not limited to:
  • offering awareness raising opportunities to defenders of fundamental freedoms as well as the general public to identify, understand, and destigmatize MHPSS issues;
  • providing MHPSS services, including personal and team consultations and exercises, counseling, respite opportunities, and retreats, as appropriate;
  • supporting existing and/or creating peer support groups and other types of professional networks to ensure self-care;
  • building professional capacity of local MHPSS service providers to provide needed services that address different types of trauma, burnout, depression, and other mental health needs using evidence-based approach and deploying a Training of Trainers (TOT) or other peer supervision/mentorship models; and
  • developing networks of defenders of fundamental freedoms, service providers, and other relevant actors within and across communities, among others.

Ineligible Activities

• Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
  • The provision of humanitarian assistance;
  • English language instruction;
  • Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
  • Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
  • External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
  • Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
  • Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity building for local civil society;
  • Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
  • Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

Eligibility Criteria

• DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.