Initiative on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Migration and Refugee Assistance Account (FY 2002)

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) values its continued cooperation with its international and non-governmental organization partners worldwide. PRM recognizes that clear communication enhances cooperation and that IOs and NGOs can plan more easily when they understand donors’ objectives.

PRM offers the following guidance to those organizations wishing to submit proposals for FY2002 refugee assistance programs for the Congressionally designated earmark entitled "International Rape Counseling Program" which focuses on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) initiatives. This guidance is neither an exclusive nor a binding list of activities.

PRM will accept proposals from any IO or NGO that satisfies the objectives below. However, funding priority will be given to those organizations with a proven track record in refugee assistance programs dealing with SGBV.

The Foreign Relations conference report on PRM’s authorization for FY 2000-2001 included an earmark of $1,000,000 for an

The U.S. House of Representatives authorization report language pertaining to the earmark states:

PRM is interested in supporting proposals to address the following aspects of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in refugee situations in a manner that respects the dignity of the individual and the culture in which s/he lives.

1. To create an ongoing capacity to respond to SGBV quickly. Organizations should focus on deploying the right mix of health, social and psychosocial resources, including the provision of rape counseling to work with local partners as part of the international community’s response to emergencies. Mechanisms that are common to other emergency response, such as development of standby rosters, training for local staff or refugees themselves in prevention, recognition, and treatment of SGBV (including counseling victims), or service packages to enhance the timeliness of response to SGBV could also be considered.

2. To support measures to prevent SGBV, including through public information and rights awareness campaigns among conflict victims and refugees, with an emphasis on working to involve men in protection awareness and prevention activities.

3. To respond to current, identified needs in the field through a multi-sector approach, combining protection (including resettlement), community services (psychosocial programs that include rape counseling), and health services. This would be done in order to establish best practices which can be disseminated, in order to better integrate these into refugee assistance operations.

4. To support measures to raise awareness as a means of effectively protecting victims of SGBV. Workshops, training programs, field missions, or other targeted activities to enhance consciousness among refugee health, community services, and protection workers about SGBV would be supported.

Please note that PRM plays a limited funding role in support of overall USG policy and program activities concerning trafficking – PRM has provided limited funding for a few priority projects that have a humanitarian purpose and are carried out by IOM. We, therefore, will not be considering larger trafficking proposals under this initiative and request that project submissions be primarily refugee-oriented.

Each proposal should include a one-page summary, a short background on the organization’s work to date in international rape counseling and SGBV, and a section defining the project’s goals and objectives. That section should also list clear and measurable indicators for assessing the accomplishment of the objectives (including dates these indicators will be met). A detailed budget, with a budget narrative, should be included.

For all FY2002 proposals, please include whether there is coordination with USAID, other NGOs, or IOs, especially UNHCR. We encourage all proposals to include any next steps taken in response to the UNHCR/Save the Children UK report on child sexual exploitation allegations in West Africa. Organizations which received FY2001 funding from PRM should also include an assessment of their program’s success in meeting their goals.

Only one copy of the formal proposal is required. Proposals should be no more than 7 pages in length. Descriptions of background information should be succinct. Each official submission to PRM should include a signed, dated cover letter on organization letterhead, and, in the case of NGOs, the three USG-required certifications regarding: 1) debarment, suspension, and other responsibility matters; 2) drug-free workplace requirements; 3) lobbying (available from PRM/Washington upon request). Signatures on each document must be originals. The budget for the proposed activities should show not only the PRM-funded portions, but also those portions for which funding is sought or secured by the organization itself and other contributions to the project. NGO applicants must be registered with USAID to be considered for PRM funding.

Timing for Proposal Submission

Proposals meeting the guidance above must be received by PRM/Washington in hard copy before 5:00 p.m. on June 3, 2002 to be considered.

NGO and IO representatives with questions may contact the PRM program officers listed below.