(NOFO) DRL Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Maldives

DRL aims to increase women’s leadership skills and empowerment in order to build and sustain good governance and lasting democracy in Maldives. Through this program, women should be better informed, resourced and equipped to proactively and effectively participate in civic and political life.

Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:

• Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
• Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
• Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
• Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
• Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
• Systematic follow-up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.

Funding Information

• Total Funding Floor: $500,000
• Total Funding Ceiling: $500,000
• Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
• Period of Performance: 18-24 months
• Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 6-8 months

Outcomes

Program outcomes can include:

• Increased leadership skills for Maldivian women, particularly those leading organizations, that enables them to engage proactively in democratic reforms, protect human rights, and sustain their activism;
• Increased acceptance and tolerance of women and marginalized community members in civic and political life from family members, community leaders and broader society;
• Trained women human rights defenders (WHRD), including young WHRDs, and CSOs collaborate to develop joint advocacy strategies to press for the social acceptance and inclusion of women’s leadership and political participation.
• Political organizations represent or have members who are leaders outside of traditional power centers (non-elitist, regional, age, gender, identity diversity).

Activities

Program activities can include:

• Leadership and governance skills building trainings for women in the Maldives that focus on democratic participation, civic engagement, inclusive policy-making, gender equality frameworks, etc.;
• Strategic capacity building trainings for women-led organizations in the Maldives on topics such as personnel management, financial and organizational sustainability, community engagement, human rights and gender equality advocacy, etc.;
• Engaging and encouraging young women to participate in their communities through community-driven projects or seminars;
• Engaging political organizations to consider increasing their representation and leadership from non-traditional power centers (ie: gender, age, identity, socio-economic backgrounds)
• Youth specific trainings aimed at leadership skills, awareness-raising campaigns, networking opportunities and women’s rights education both in secular and faith-based frameworks;
• Public awareness initiatives and advocacy aimed at increasing women’s political participation in the Maldives;
• Engaging male political and community leaders to advocate for greater participation of women in the government, political organizations and in the community;
• Ensuring that women in leadership feel protected and safe from physical violence and violent rhetoric in their community.

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.

For more information, visit Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).