Save the Children Federation, CADER Unit, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880

B -- RUSSIAN CIVIC INITIATIVES FOR DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC REFORM PROGRAM LINKAGE GRANTS RFA UNDER SAVE THE CHILDREN - USAID COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 110-0007-G-00-4046-00 Due 051595 POC Nora Bazzy (203) 221-4010 or Shannon Moncrief (203) 221-3702, FAX (203) 221-4210. Save the Children Federation (SC) is interested in receiving proposals from U.S. Non-Profit Organizations with previous federal funding experience, to partner with Russian Non-Profit Organizations under the Russia Civic Initiatives for Democratic and Economic Reform Program (Civic Initiatives Program) Linkage Grants. The Civic Initiatives Progam is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed and coordinated by Save the Children under Cooperative Agreement 110-007-G-00-4046-00. The Civic Initiatives Program seeks to contribute to an environment conducive to indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) creation, growth and functioning and to help create a vibrant and diverse community of NGOs in Russia. A functioning and effective NGO sector can play a critical role in providing social services, supporting and encouraging private businesses and a new market economy, providing a structured vehicle for public participation and providing the civic fora for a democratic society. Under the Program, Save the Children is coordinating the activities of the Moscow-based SC Consortium, two Regional Coordinators in the Siberia and Black Sea Region and other program participants and subgrantees. LINKAGE GRANTS: The Linkage Grants Project is designed to facilitate the establishment of partnerships between US PVOs and one or more indigenous Russian NGOs to develop linkages and promote activities in common fields or program sectors. Direct social services delivery activities will not be considered under this project. It is the vision of the Civic Initiatives Program to strengthen the indigenous NGOs to be sustainable without routine assistance from foreign PVOs. In order to reach this point, the assistance of outside NGOs is critical. US PVOs will provide useful ``role models'' and share lessons learned, provide technical assistance, accompany Russian NGOs as they become more adept at management and accountability issues, and be the source for many of the direct grants which Russian NGOs need to grow. US PVOs are encouraged to be creative, innovative and cost effective in their project design and to draw upon the resources and the experience of staff from entrepreneurial associations, professional associations, advocacy groups, associations of charitable organizations, and NGO/Apax arrangements to encourage the same formation in Russia. All proposals must demonstrate activities which are concrete and measurable in moving toward the overall program objectives of democratic and economic reform. In addition, applicants are encouraged to build upon existing structures and establish strong ties to USAID-funded projects in democratic and economic reform activities. PROGRAM SCOPE: The Linkage Grant Project is administered by Save the Children Federation. The duration of the proposed project is between six to eighteen months. Proposals in response to the RFA shall be submitted by 15 May 95, 1200 Eastern Time, addressed to Save the Children Russia Civic Initiatives Program (Attn: Ms. Nora Bazzy, Program Operations Director NIS&E) 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880. Copy of this provision and the RFA may be obtained from the points of contact. GENERAL INFORMATION: A Pre-Proposal Bidders Conference will be held on 10 April 95 from 1100 to 1500 at Carnegie International Center, (Root Room, 8th Floor) 2400 N. Street, NW Washington, DC. The purpose of this meeting is to explain the objectives of the Civic Initiatives Program and to respond to questions from prospective applicants regarding this solicitation. Parties interested in attending this meeting should contact Shannon Moncrief (203) 221-3702. (090)

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