Opportunity Information: Apply for BH200 21 GR 200 WHA
The Strengthening Government through Civil Society Engagement opportunity is a discretionary U.S. Department of State grant announced by the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize, aimed at improving democratic governance by supporting closer, more effective collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and government institutions. The program is funded through FY 2020 Economic Support Funds (ESF), with total planned funding up to $750,000 (depending on availability). The Embassy expects to make three to five awards, generally ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 per project, with a maximum award ceiling of $250,000. The anticipated start date for selected projects is September 30, 2021. The opportunity was posted May 3, 2021, and originally closed June 24, 2021.
The grant is designed for proposals that sit clearly in the democracy, accountability, and governance space, with a strong emphasis on practical engagement between CSOs and national and/or local government, especially in vulnerable or marginalized communities. In other words, projects are expected to do more than general civic education or standalone NGO programming; they should actively strengthen government-CSO partnerships and demonstrate how those relationships will improve real-world outcomes for communities. The Embassy highlights three main priority areas for project activities: improving public service delivery, advancing anti-corruption and broader government accountability and transparency, and curbing human trafficking. Applicants are encouraged to propose initiatives that help governments and CSOs work side-by-side to deliver services more effectively (including services impacted by COVID-19), reduce opportunities for corruption, advocate for reforms, strengthen transparency across different levels of government, and improve the identification, prevention, and response services available to victims of human trafficking.
A key restriction is that grant funds cannot be used for police or military law enforcement purposes, including training members of the police or military. This signals that while public safety and trafficking prevention are in scope, the Embassy is looking for civilian, governance-centered solutions (for example, coordination models, victim support referral systems, accountability mechanisms, policy improvements, or community-based prevention and service navigation) rather than security force capacity-building.
Eligibility is broad but specific to organizational types. The Embassy invites applications from qualified U.S. non-profit or non-governmental organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, overseas-based NGOs, U.S. and overseas public or private institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs). The Embassy also notes it retains full discretion to fund any, all, or none of the applications received and to decide final award sizes. The legal authority for the program is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. The funding opportunity number is BH200 21 GR 200 WHA, it is categorized as a grant instrument, and it is listed under CFDA 19.750.Apply for BH200 21 GR 200 WHA
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Belize in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Government through Civil Society Engagement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.750.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 03, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 24, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Strengthening Government through Civil Society Engagement" grant opportunity?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State, announced by the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize. The goal is to improve democratic governance by supporting closer, more effective collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and government institutions.
Who is offering and administering this grant?
The opportunity is a U.S. Department of State grant announced by the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program aims to strengthen democratic governance by funding projects that build practical, working partnerships between CSOs and national and/or local government institutions, especially where communities are vulnerable or marginalized.
What types of projects are most competitive for this opportunity?
Projects that clearly fit within democracy, accountability, and governance, and that demonstrate practical CSO-government engagement. The Embassy emphasizes proposals that go beyond standalone NGO programming or general civic education and instead show how collaboration will lead to real, measurable improvements for communities.
Does the program require CSOs and government to work together directly?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes active, practical collaboration between CSOs and government institutions, with a clear explanation of how the partnership will improve outcomes in communities.
Which communities are emphasized in this funding opportunity?
The Embassy places special emphasis on initiatives involving vulnerable or marginalized communities.
What are the priority activity areas for proposals?
The Embassy identifies three priority areas: (1) improving public service delivery, (2) advancing anti-corruption and broader government accountability and transparency, and (3) curbing human trafficking.
What does "improving public service delivery" mean in this context?
It refers to projects that help governments and CSOs work side-by-side to deliver services more effectively, including services impacted by COVID-19.
What kinds of anti-corruption or accountability work is the Embassy looking for?
The opportunity highlights efforts that reduce opportunities for corruption, advocate for reforms, strengthen transparency, and improve government accountability at different levels of government.
How does human trafficking fit into a governance and civil society engagement grant?
Human trafficking activities are supported when they strengthen civilian systems and coordination, such as improving identification, prevention, and response services available to victims, particularly through improved collaboration between CSOs and government entities.
Are law-enforcement or security-force activities allowed under this grant?
No. A key restriction is that grant funds cannot be used for police or military law enforcement purposes, including training members of the police or military.
If police or military training is prohibited, what kinds of trafficking-related activities might still be allowed?
Based on the restriction, the Embassy is signaling interest in civilian and governance-centered solutions, such as coordination models, victim support referral systems, accountability mechanisms, policy improvements, community-based prevention, and service navigation rather than security force capacity-building.
What is the total amount of funding available?
Total planned funding is up to $750,000, depending on availability, and it is funded through FY 2020 Economic Support Funds (ESF).
How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy expects to make three to five awards.
What is the typical award size?
Awards are generally expected to range from $100,000 to $250,000 per project.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award ceiling is $250,000.
Can the Embassy decide to fund fewer projects or different award amounts than expected?
Yes. The Embassy states it retains full discretion to fund any, all, or none of the applications received and to decide final award sizes.
When is the anticipated project start date?
The anticipated start date for selected projects is September 30, 2021.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on May 3, 2021, and originally closed on June 24, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes: qualified U.S. non-profit or non-governmental organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, overseas-based NGOs, U.S. and overseas public or private institutions of higher education, and public international organizations (PIOs).
Do U.S. nonprofits need a specific tax status to be eligible?
Yes. U.S. non-profit or non-governmental organizations must have IRS 501(c)(3) status to be eligible under the listed categories.
Are organizations based outside the United States eligible?
Yes. The Embassy invites applications from overseas-based NGOs and also from overseas public or private institutions of higher education.
Are universities and colleges eligible applicants?
Yes. Both U.S. and overseas public or private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are public international organizations eligible?
Yes. Public international organizations (PIOs) are included in the eligibility list.
What type of funding instrument is this?
This opportunity is categorized as a grant instrument.
What is the funding authority for this program?
The legal authority is the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.
What is the funding source for this program?
The program is funded through FY 2020 Economic Support Funds (ESF).
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The funding opportunity number is BH200 21 GR 200 WHA.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.750.
Is this grant intended for general civic education projects?
The description emphasizes that projects should do more than general civic education or standalone NGO programming. Proposals are expected to actively strengthen government-CSO partnerships and show how those partnerships will improve real-world community outcomes.
Does the opportunity mention COVID-19?
Yes. The Embassy encourages initiatives that help deliver services more effectively, including services impacted by COVID-19.
Can the grant support transparency work at different levels of government?
Yes. The Embassy highlights strengthening transparency across different levels of government as part of the accountability and transparency focus.
Where is the issuing Embassy located?
The opportunity is announced by the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize.
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