Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Protecting Fundamental Freedoms in Morocco | DRLA DRLAQM 17 022

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity about?

This is a discretionary grant competition from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL). It focuses on protecting fundamental freedoms in Morocco by supporting projects that strengthen advocacy for, and real-world implementation of, legal and institutional protections for:

• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of association
• Freedom of peaceful assembly

2) What outcomes is DRL trying to achieve in Morocco through this grant?

DRL is looking for programs that improve the overall environment for these fundamental freedoms through practical reforms and enforcement. The emphasis is on better laws, stronger implementation of existing protections, and increased accountability where protections are weak or inconsistently applied.

3) What does DRL mean by supporting both "advocacy" and "implementation"?

Based on the notice language, DRL is interested in projects that help civil society and other stakeholders advocate effectively for improved protections, while also ensuring those protections are put into practice through institutional strengthening, enforcement improvements, and accountability measures (not only statements of support or public messaging).

4) Is the focus mainly on awareness-raising campaigns?

No. The opportunity description indicates a preference for practical reforms and enforcement-oriented work rather than broad awareness-raising alone. Applicants are encouraged to design initiatives that lead to tangible improvements in protections and their application.

5) What kinds of approaches does DRL encourage for improving protections?

The notice highlights approaches that increase the ability of civil society and other stakeholders to advocate for better laws and implementation. It also explicitly allows for constructive engagement with government entities and officials when appropriate, including dialogue, technical engagement, or problem-solving approaches, as long as the goal remains improved protection and implementation of rights.

6) Does DRL require projects to engage with government actors?

The notice does not present government engagement as a strict requirement, but it encourages applicants to engage government entities and officials constructively when appropriate, especially when addressing gaps or deficiencies in protections for fundamental freedoms.

7) Is adversarial advocacy the only acceptable strategy?

No. The opportunity states that the competition is not limited to adversarial advocacy. It welcomes strategies that may include dialogue and technical or problem-solving engagement with relevant institutions, provided the project remains focused on improved protection and implementation of rights.

8) Is DRL looking for brand-new projects, or can applicants build on existing work?

DRL signals a clear preference for proposals that do not simply repeat earlier work and encourages new and creative approaches. However, it also indicates that proposals may build on proven efforts if they expand or improve existing successful projects in a complementary way rather than duplicating what has already been done.

9) How important is it to show knowledge of the Moroccan civil society landscape?

Very important. The notice suggests that competitive proposals will demonstrate awareness of prior programming and current efforts in Morocco and clearly explain what the proposed project adds that is distinct, timely, and realistically achievable.

10) What does DRL mean by "near-term, visible impact" and "durable, long-term reforms"?

DRL is looking for programs that can show concrete results in the short term while also laying groundwork for reforms that continue after U.S. funding ends. The opportunity frames the grant as a catalyst rather than ongoing support, so proposals should show credible pathways for results and continuation beyond DRL resources.

11) How should applicants address sustainability after DRL funding ends?

The notice indicates that strong applications treat the grant as a catalyst and include credible pathways to sustainability beyond DRL resources. Based on the information provided, applicants should explain how the work will continue after U.S. funding ends, including how local stakeholders will sustain momentum and implementation.

12) Is inclusion of vulnerable or at-risk groups part of the program expectation?

Yes. DRL states it strives to ensure projects advance rights and uphold the dignity of populations that are most vulnerable or at risk. The opportunity implies that applicants should identify who is most affected by restrictions on these freedoms and design activities that reduce risk and expand meaningful access to rights.

13) What does "inclusion and protection" mean in practical project terms (per the notice)?

The notice implies that competitive proposals connect inclusion and protection to concrete program design choices. Examples mentioned in the description include safer participation pathways, rights-based approaches, targeted legal or policy advocacy, and thoughtful safeguarding practices.

14) Are partnerships with Moroccan organizations and experts expected?

Yes. The opportunity makes partnership and local ownership explicit expectations. Applicants must clearly describe how they will engage Moroccan experts and institutional partners, and how the program will leverage existing civil society efforts rather than operating in isolation.

15) What does DRL mean by "local ownership" in this opportunity?

In this context, local ownership means Moroccan stakeholders should help shape, implement, and sustain the work. The proposal should describe credible local partnerships, define roles for Moroccan actors, and show how local knowledge, networks, and institutions will be integrated.

16) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The funding instrument type is a grant.

17) What is the CFDA number associated with this DRL grant?

The CFDA number is 19.345.

18) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $500,000.

19) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is DRLA DRLAQM 17 022.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. and non-U.S. nonprofits (including those without 501(c)(3) status)
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Other eligible entities as indicated in the listing

21) Do applicants need to be U.S.-based organizations?

No. The eligibility description explicitly includes both U.S. and non-U.S. nonprofits.

22) Are nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status eligible?

Yes. The eligibility information states that nonprofits including those without 501(c)(3) status are eligible.

23) Where should applicants look for official submission instructions and formatting requirements?

The notice directs applicants to follow DRL proposal submission instructions on DRL's website. This implies that formatting, required components, and compliance expectations are governed by DRL's standard submission guidance.

24) What are the key competitiveness signals mentioned in the notice?

Based on the opportunity description, competitive proposals tend to:

• Target improvements in legal and institutional protections and their implementation (not just awareness)
• Show near-term, visible impact while supporting longer-term reforms
• Present the grant as a catalyst with credible sustainability beyond DRL funding
• Offer new and creative approaches, or clearly expand/improve proven work without duplication
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Moroccan context and prior efforts
• Include meaningful Moroccan partnerships and local ownership
• Address inclusion and protection for vulnerable or at-risk populations through concrete design choices

25) What is the listed closing date and why does it matter?

The original closing date listed is 2016-12-19. This matters because it may indicate the competition is no longer active, or that the notice is being used as a reference example. Determining current availability would require checking the official listing and DRL guidance referenced in the notice.

26) What is the creation date for this opportunity notice?

The creation date listed is 2016-10-11.