Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007511
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) released this discretionary grant opportunity to support work in Sri Lanka that strengthens and protects two closely linked civic freedoms: freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly. The call is framed around concerns highlighted in the 2020 Human Rights Report and by the UN Special Rapporteur, who pointed out that Sri Lanka may have broad legal protections for peaceful assembly, but those protections are spread across multiple laws and regulations and can be applied inconsistently. DRL is looking for projects that do more than general advocacy; the emphasis is on using legal mechanisms and the judicial system to make existing protections real in practice, so that these rights are respected and enforced rather than selectively applied.
A strong proposal under this opportunity would examine how the new government is using policies, laws, and programs that affect democratic political competition, civil society space, and media freedom. In other words, applicants are expected to analyze the legal and policy environment as it evolves, identify where restrictions or enforcement practices undermine civic freedoms, and then respond with practical, law-centered strategies. DRL also signals that it wants applicants to provide direct legal and organizational support to civil society groups and individuals who are facing undue government pressure such as restrictive inspections, administrative interference, intimidation, or censorship. The goal is to help these actors continue operating safely and effectively, while also building longer-term protections through civil society-led strategic litigation designed to advance human rights standards and reinforce accountability.
The program activities DRL encourages include strengthening the role, status, and capacity of defense lawyers and other legal professionals, which can cover training, professional support, and tools that help lawyers defend civic actors and challenge unlawful restrictions. DRL also highlights expanding the capacity of judicial watchdog organizations so they can monitor courts, document due process concerns, and advocate for fair judicial proceedings and sound court decisions. Public-awareness and advocacy campaigns are another key element, especially campaigns that can be delivered through multiple media channels and social platforms to build broader understanding of rights and the legal processes available to protect them. Finally, DRL explicitly encourages assistance to small NGOs and informal advocacy groups, particularly by helping them adopt innovative, community-level approaches to civic engagement, which suggests a preference for practical, locally grounded methods that can function even in constrained environments.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed as SFOP0007511 under CFDA 19.345 and is offered as a grant by the Department of State, DRL. The notice was created on December 18, 2020, with an original closing date of February 16, 2021. DRL anticipated making one award, with a maximum award ceiling of $2,000,000. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, indicating the competition may be open to a range of organization types depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete solicitation. Overall, the grant is geared toward legally grounded, rights-protective programming that combines policy assessment, direct support to at-risk civic actors, stronger legal defense and court monitoring capacity, and strategic litigation and communications to secure lasting improvements in civic space in Sri Lanka.Apply for SFOP0007511
- The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRL Strengthening Civil Society in Sri Lanka" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 16, 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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is this grant opportunity about?
This discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) supports work in Sri Lanka that strengthens and protects two connected civic freedoms: freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly. The focus is on making existing legal protections work consistently in practice.
Which civic freedoms are the main focus of this opportunity?
The opportunity is specifically focused on freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly, treated as closely linked rights that shape civic space and democratic participation.
What problem is DRL trying to address in Sri Lanka?
According to concerns reflected in the 2020 Human Rights Report and observations by the UN Special Rapporteur, Sri Lanka may have broad legal protections for peaceful assembly, but the protections are spread across multiple laws and regulations and can be applied inconsistently. DRL is seeking projects that help ensure these rights are respected and enforced rather than selectively applied.
What kind of approach does DRL prefer: advocacy or legal action?
DRL emphasizes projects that go beyond general advocacy. The preferred approach is to use legal mechanisms and the judicial system to translate legal protections into real-world practice, including strategies that strengthen enforcement and reduce inconsistent or selective application of the law.
What does DRL expect a strong proposal to analyze?
A strong proposal would examine how the new government is using policies, laws, and programs that affect democratic political competition, civil society space, and media freedom. Applicants are expected to track how the legal and policy environment evolves, identify restrictions or enforcement practices that undermine civic freedoms, and respond with practical, law-centered strategies.
What types of beneficiaries or target groups does DRL want projects to support?
DRL signals an interest in supporting civil society groups and individuals facing undue government pressure, including those dealing with restrictive inspections, administrative interference, intimidation, or censorship. The intent is to help them continue operating safely and effectively.
Is direct legal support an encouraged activity under this grant?
Yes. DRL explicitly signals interest in direct legal and organizational support to civil society groups and individuals facing undue pressure, alongside longer-term work to build protections through strategic litigation and accountability efforts.
What is meant by "civil society-led strategic litigation" in this opportunity?
Based on the notice description, strategic litigation refers to civil society-led efforts using the court system to advance human rights standards, reinforce accountability, and help ensure civic freedoms are protected consistently in law and practice.
What kinds of legal-sector capacity building activities are encouraged?
DRL encourages activities that strengthen the role, status, and capacity of defense lawyers and other legal professionals. This can include training, professional support, and tools that help lawyers defend civic actors and challenge unlawful restrictions.
Are judicial watchdog organizations included in the encouraged activities?
Yes. DRL highlights expanding the capacity of judicial watchdog organizations so they can monitor courts, document due process concerns, and advocate for fair judicial proceedings and sound court decisions.
Does the opportunity include public education or communications components?
Yes. Public-awareness and advocacy campaigns are identified as a key element, especially campaigns delivered through multiple media channels and social platforms to build broader understanding of rights and legal processes available to protect them.
Is support for small NGOs and informal advocacy groups encouraged?
Yes. DRL explicitly encourages assistance to small NGOs and informal advocacy groups, particularly support that helps them adopt innovative, community-level approaches to civic engagement.
Does DRL show a preference for local or community-level approaches?
The notice suggests a preference for practical, locally grounded methods by encouraging innovative community-level approaches to civic engagement, including for small NGOs and informal groups operating in constrained environments.
Where will the funded work take place?
The opportunity is intended to support work in Sri Lanka.
Who is the funding agency and which bureau is administering the program?
The funding agency is the U.S. Department of State, and the opportunity is administered by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?
The opportunity is listed as SFOP0007511.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The notice lists CFDA 19.345.
What type of award is being offered?
The opportunity is offered as a grant.
How many awards did DRL anticipate making?
DRL anticipated making one award.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The maximum award ceiling stated in the notice is $2,000,000.
When was the notice created and what was the original closing date?
The notice was created on December 18, 2020, and the original closing date was February 16, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This indicates the competition may be open to a range of organization types depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete solicitation.
What makes this opportunity different from a general human rights program?
Based on the description provided, this opportunity is framed around law-centered strategies: using legal mechanisms, courts, defense lawyering capacity, judicial monitoring, and strategic litigation to ensure protections for association and assembly are applied consistently and enforced in practice.
What kinds of risks or pressures on civil society does DRL mention?
The notice mentions undue government pressure such as restrictive inspections, administrative interference, intimidation, and censorship.
What outcomes is DRL aiming for through funded projects?
The stated direction points toward outcomes where civic freedoms are respected and enforced consistently; civil society actors can operate safely and effectively; legal professionals can better defend civic actors; court processes are monitored for fairness and due process; and strategic litigation and communications help secure longer-term improvements in civic space in Sri Lanka.
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