Description
The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is accepting project proposals to combat wildlife trafficking. Recognizing the serious threat that wildlife trafficking poses to the conservation of animal and plant species and the national interests of the United States, President Obama issued Executive Order 13648 in 2013. On February 11, 2015, President Obama released the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking Implementation Plan to guide and direct the efforts of Federal agencies in executing the Strategy. To complement and facilitate existing efforts, USFWS has issued this Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide financial assistance to projects that advance counter-wildlife trafficking activities. Wildlife trafficking is defined in the National Strategy as the poaching or other taking of protected or managed species and the illegal trade in wildlife and their related parts and products. For the purposes of this funding opportunity, the term,wildlife, includes terrestrial and aquatic animal species and plant species subject to illegal trade. Applicants may submit proposals to support any of the Implementation Planâ¿¿s Objectives. Priority will be given, however, to proposals addressing the following: 1. Strengthening the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) CITES Capacity Development Description: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty that regulates international trade to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct as a result of that international trade. Under CITES, countries work together to ensure that international trade in listed species is legal and not detrimental to the survival of the species Strengthening CITES implementation in key countries and regions improves the effectiveness of the Treaty as a whole. The USFWS will enter into cooperative agreements with partner organizations to support national and regional capacity development to strengthen CITES implementation in key countries and regions. CITES CoP17 Outcomes Related to Combating Wildlife Trafficking Description: In October 2016, at the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the CITES Parties reached agreement on several measures to combat wildlife trafficking. Many of these results require technical and financial support to ensure they are effectively implemented. The USFWS will support those outcomes that are of the highest priority to the U.S. government, with particular attention to those that will also fulfill the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking and its Implementation Plan. 2. Good Governance and Anti-Corruption for Combating Wildlife Trafficking Description: Good governance is required for effective law enforcement at local, national and regional levels, including wildlife law enforcement. Corruption is frequently one of the most significant obstacles to good governance along the entire spectrum of wildlife trafficking activities in supply, transit and demand countries. Corruption and poor governance disrupt the necessary enabling conditions required for successful implementation of other counter wildlife trafficking activities. The USFWS is seeking proposals for projects designed to increase transparency, decrease corruption and/or improve good governance practices related to combating wildlife trafficking in supply, transit and demand countries 3. Africa/Asia Nexus Description: Transnational wildlife crime requires coordination among national governments to successfully investigate and prosecute crimes and disrupt trafficking networks to prevent future crimes. Many resources have been invested in building capacity in African and Asian government agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to combat wildlife trafficking; however, those efforts have not systematically and sustainably supported the development of international connections and networks of those agencies. The USFWS is seeking proposals that increase cooperation among African and Asian countries known to be involved in transnational wildlife crime, improve information sharing between or among countries, and build relationships among appropriate authorities, such as customs, police, wildlife law enforcement officials and CITES authorities, to improve effectiveness of national and international law enforcement activities to combat wildlife trafficking. 4. Social and Behavior Change Communication Framework for Combating Wildlife Trafficking Description: Key leverage points in the wildlife trafficking chain will require important changes in behaviors for specific audiences. These leverage points include demand markets, which are often highlighted, but also stakeholders in transit and supply countries involved in the illegal take and trade of wildlife. The USFWS seeks proposals that address behavior change at these key leverage points using a well-developed theory of change, including evidence of the barriers to behavior change, methods of barrier removal and proposed alternatives. Theories of change should be supported by data. Alternatively, proposals may propose to conduct applied research to complete an evidence- and data-based theory of change. Given the financial and time constraints of USFWS awards, proposals should clearly state how the proposed activities fit into a larger program, if applicable, or how data collected will be used to pilot a program that can then be scaled up and/or replicated. 5. Critically Endangered Species Threatened by Illegal Trade Description: The USFWS seeks proposals to conserve critically endangered species primarily threatened by illegal trade. Species should be categorized as threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (including Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable) or otherwise demonstrably meet those criteria. Species listed as Data Deficient, on the IUCN Red List are also eligible if the applicant can provide information that suggests a similar urgency for conservation action. Species listed as Extinct in Wild are not eligible. Priority will be given to species NOT eligible for funding under one of the Multinational Species Conservation Fund Programs (Asian elephant, African elephant, rhinoceros [all species], tiger [all sub-species], gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo, orangutan, gibbons [all species] and marine turtles [all species]). Proposals should cover activities that address the illegal trade threat.