Partnerships with Youth Program : Thematic Grant Application

Partnerships with Youth Program
Request for Applications (RFA) – Thematic Grants
Submission Date: 29 August 2017

IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally. IREX enables local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education and innovative youth development programming, independent media, and strong communities.

In the West Bank and Gaza, IREX is implementing the USAID-funded Partnerships with Youth (PWY) program. The PWY Program expands educational and leadership opportunities for young people aged 14-29 throughout the West Bank by creating sustainable hubs for youth innovation and learning, called Youth Development Resource Centers (YDRCs). PWY currently supports eight (8) YDRCs in the West Bank to offer otherwise unavailable services and programming for youth to prepare them for a successful transition to adulthood and help ensure economic and civic participation in their communities.

Thematic Grants:
IREX invites Palestinian NGOs and youth-serving organizations (YSOs) to apply for grants to engage youth within the 14-29 age range in programming, activities, and/or training that is designed to provide educational and leadership opportunities and build their skills and competencies. The selected grantees will implement the grant activities at the YDRCs in the West Bank, and assist the YDRCs to build their capacity in new thematic areas and expand their programming and services for youth. All programming will incorporate a positive youth development approach and IREX will support grantees in using this approach.

IREX will award grants to two NGOs or YSOs to support the YDRCs in two different thematic areas:

One grant will be awarded for a health-related program
One grant will be awarded for an English-language, environmental, or arts and cultural program

The selected grantees will implement program activities for approximately 350 male and female youth within the 14-29 age range at the six YDRCs in the Jericho, Jenin, Qalqilya, Salfit, Tubas, and Tulkarm governorates.

The selected grantees will transfer their expertise in conducting the proposed thematic activities to the YDRCs to ensure they are able to continue implementing these thematic activities on their own after the completion of the grant. The methodology and activities proposed will include capacity building (training, coaching, and other technical assistance) for the six YDRCs’ directors, staff, interns, and volunteers, and the grantees will work in close cooperation with the YDRC during all phases of the grant (planning and preparation, implementation, monitoring, and reporting).
Schedule:
19 August 2017: RFA Released
22 August 2017: Q&A Session at PWY Office
24 August 2017: Deadline for Written Questions
29 August 2017: Application Submission Deadline
12 September 2017: Notification of Semi-finalists

Description of Grants:
IREX invites interested Palestinian organizations to apply for grants under its Partnerships with Youth Program. Grants will:

Provide programs in one of the following themes: 1) health or 2) English language, environment, or arts and culture.
Emphasize aspects of either 1) employability or 2) community engagement within the chosen theme.
Offer activities that are of interest to both male and female youth.
Support the selected grantees to transfer expertise in their thematic area to the YDRCs. Grant activities must:
Strengthen YDRCs’ capacity in developing and implementing activities in the chosen thematic area;
Directly reach youth beneficiaries through implementing activities in the chosen thematic area at YDRCs.
Incorporate PWY’s positive youth development and service learning approach into their programming.
Include partnerships and collaboration with relevant community stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and other local government offices, academic institutions, and private sector businesses.

IREX will issue Fixed Amount Awards for up to $30,000 for a period of up to three (3) months in duration, with possible extension for up to an additional three (3) months. The total funding amount to be awarded for each grant will be dependent upon the activities proposed. Grantees will be required to contribute 10% in cost-share from non-US government sources. (Cost-share can include: office space; staff or volunteer time; materials; travel, etc.)

Evaluation Criteria:
Grant Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

Quality of proposed activities, ability of proposed methodology to reach goals and targets, and implementation plan is clear and achievable. (40 points)
Previous organizational experience related to the proposed thematic area; applicants’ past performance will serve as an indicator of the quality of its future performance. (20 points)
Qualifications and competence of key staff and expert trainers (20 points)
Gender considerations. (5 points)
Cost Effectiveness. (15 points)

Notes:
PWY works in close collaboration the US Agency for International Development (USAID). PWY works closely with its partners to ensure that any contractual or grant agreements between them are in line with US Government policy and in compliance with donor regulations. 

This request for grant application does not commit IREX to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application not funded or contract for the services or supplies described herein. IREX reserves the right to reject any or applications received.  
  
Submission Instructions:

Download Grant Application

The complete applications shall be submitted in soft copy to the following email address:
 

[email protected]

Please include “Thematic Grant Application” in the subject line of the email. IREX will confirm receipt via email upon receiving an application.

Applications that are substantially incomplete or lack key information will not be reviewed and may be rejected by IREX. Applications that are not submitted on time will not be accepted. IREX reserves the right to request additional information from applicants in writing.

IREX will hold a half-day Q&A and briefing session at the PWY office on at 2:00pm Jerusalem Time on August 22, 2017, to answer any questions on the RFA.

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