The Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science (OES) at the U.S. Department of State (DOS) requests applications from non-profits, non-governmental organizations, or international organizations for grants to promote private-sector cleaner production. DOS is interested in projects in countries where the U.S. has negotiated Free Trade Agreements and Environmental Cooperation Mechanisms (ECMs), in particular Chile, Morocco and Oman. DOS is seeking to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with one or two non-profits, non-governmental organizations, or international organizations to establish and implement this Cleaner Production Partnerships Project. The Cooperative Agreement(s) will support work in ECM-partner countries by promoting the adoption of cleaner production practices and technologies in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in ECM countries and build on on-going environmental performance improvement activities in those countries. Additional consideration will be given to programs that provide an opportunity for high-level government buy-in, serve as models for other enterprises to replicate, mobilize additional resources, and establish long-lasting partnerships between U.S. organizations and ECM-country organizations to share best practices and enable supply-chain linkages. Leveraging in-country knowledge and expertise will be a critical component of this Cooperative Agreement. Examples of partnerships include (1) working in one or more of the priority sectors identified in Appendix 2 to share best practices and technologies, promote international exchanges between private companies and cleaner production centers, and help strengthen local capacity in these areas; or (2) to promote energy and water efficiency among companies that have agreed to take part in voluntary clean production agreements, help implement regional cleaner production strategies, and strengthen regulations and policies to promote greater resource usage efficiency. DOS will give full consideration to other innovative partnerships. Eligibility is limited to not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) subject to 501 (c) (3) of the tax code, foreign not-for-profit organizations, and international organizations. Applicants must have technical expertise in clean production and experience in creating partnerships and working in the corresponding region. One or two grants will be awarded to work in Chile and/or Morocco and/or Oman, not to exceed the total amount of $ 693,000 in FY 2009 Economic Support Funds. As appropriate and with OES approval, the winning grantee(s) also may use funding to pay for attendees from other eligible ECM countries to attend relevant activities occurring in one of these priority countries. The Department of State will consider applications for projects in one to three of the priority countries (Chile, Morocco, and Oman). We will give priority to applications that propose projects in two or more of these priority countries. Future funding may be available for cleaner production projects in other eligible ECM countries or to include participants from other eligible ECM countries in the respective regions, and competitive applications received as a result of this RFA may also be considered for future funding. Funding Authority for this program rests in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Contact Person: Laura Gomez Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science
[email protected] Phone: (202) 647-4548; Fax: (202) 647-5947 Please carefully read the entire solicitation package if you plan to submit an application; there are steps that you should take immediately in order to make your submissions by the deadline.