The U.S. Department of State's Embassy in San José, Costa Rica, has announced a funding opportunity under the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) Small Grants Program titled "Strengthening Government Through Civil Society Engagement." The program has $500,000 available in FY 2024 Economic Support Funds, with two awards anticipated at $250,000 each. The project duration is expected to range from 12 to 24 months, beginning June 1, 2025. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by March 2, 2025, with all required documents included.

The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to strengthen democratic governance, combat corruption, and advance the rule of law in Costa Rica. Proposed projects should address one or more key objectives: fostering strong democratic institutions that uphold human rights and civil liberties, increasing civil society’s role in environmental governance, and promoting capable governance in the coastal provinces of Puntarenas and Limón with a focus on social inclusion. Proposals must align with Pillar II of the Root Causes Strategy, which emphasizes combating corruption and improving democratic governance.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status, overseas-based NGOs, public international organizations, institutions of higher education, and Costa Rican NGOs. While cost-sharing is not required, organizations may include it to demonstrate additional commitment. Proposals must address project outcomes such as improved governance, reduced corruption, and enhanced civil society engagement. Funding cannot be used for law enforcement activities, training law enforcement personnel, or social service delivery.

Applications must include a range of documents, including a completed SF-424 form, an executive summary, a detailed project narrative, a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan, and a detailed line-item budget. Monitoring plans should define measurable objectives and establish performance indicators to track project progress. Organizations should also demonstrate their capacity to deliver the proposed activities and include contingency plans for potential challenges, such as those arising from COVID-19 restrictions.

Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale considering factors such as project feasibility, organizational capacity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Successful applicants will also need to engage with Embassy staff for regular progress reviews and financial reporting. Quarterly progress and financial reports will be required, and final reports must be submitted within 120 days after project completion.

For further details or to clarify questions, applicants should contact the Embassy at SanJoseCARSIESF@state.gov by February 7, 2025. The Embassy reserves the right to make no awards or adjust funding levels as necessary. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin the application process promptly to meet all submission requirements and deadlines.