Opportunity Information: Apply for SCS 800 21 GR 001 WHA 042221
The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica is offering a competitive grant opportunity called Strengthening Government Through Civil Society Engagement. The goal is to help make government institutions stronger, more capable, and more accountable by supporting projects where civil society organizations work alongside government counterparts to improve how public services are delivered and how citizens can hold institutions responsible for results. The funding is provided through Economic Support Funds (ESF) and aligns with broader U.S. objectives under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), which focuses on strengthening institutions, countering organized crime, supporting the rule of law, and protecting human rights across the region.
In practical terms, the Embassy is looking for proposals that focus on governance improvements in Costa Rica, especially outside the Central Valley and with clear benefits for vulnerable or marginalized communities. Projects should be designed to complement government efforts, not replace them, and they should strengthen the relationship between communities and public institutions so that services are more effective, transparent, and responsive. A central theme across the opportunity is accountability: proposals are expected to build citizens ability to participate, monitor, and demand performance from public institutions.
The total amount the Embassy expects to award under this opportunity is up to $750,000, depending on the availability of funds. The grant ceiling per award is $250,000, and the Embassy anticipates making about four awards. Projects can run for up to two years, and the anticipated start date listed is September 30, 2021. The Department of State makes clear that it is not obligated to fund any proposal submitted and may choose to fund some, all, or none, and at whatever funding level it determines appropriate.
Eligible applicants include U.S. non-profit organizations (including those with IRS 501(c)(3) status), non-U.S. NGOs, and U.S. or non-U.S. public and private institutions of higher education. While the projects are meant to improve government performance, an important restriction is that proposals cannot provide direct support to Costa Rica central, regional, or municipal governments. Instead, the funding is intended to flow through civil society or academic partners who engage government institutions through collaborative activities, technical support, citizen engagement, oversight, and similar approaches that strengthen governance without directly financing government operations.
The Embassy provides several examples of the kinds of projects it wants to see. These include efforts that increase citizen participation with local government and judicial institutions to strengthen neighborhood security, initiatives that expand transparency and improve e-government capacity, projects that improve delivery of basic government services, and programs that support improved government revenue collection alongside responsible and accountable public investment. The opportunity also highlights two optional but relevant areas: support for Costa Rica marine governance goals, and support for cyber governance tied to e-government. On the marine side, Costa Rica plans to launch new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in 2022 and will need citizen and NGO support to strengthen governance so access and activities in MPAs can be monitored and managed sustainably, with benefits for communities dependent on tourism and fisheries. On the cyber side, proposals may help improve coordination and strategic planning around cybersecurity in the public sector, supporting an open and reliable internet while building capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents, especially as more government services move onto digital platforms.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant from the Department of State (U.S. Mission to Costa Rica) under CFDA 19.750, authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as amended. The funding opportunity number is SCS 800 21 GR 001 WHA 042221. The NOFO was created April 22, 2021, with an original closing date of June 22, 2021. Questions were directed to the Embassy at SanJoseCarsiESF@state.gov.Apply for SCS 800 21 GR 001 WHA 042221
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Costa Rica 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 Apr 22, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 22, 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 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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