DRL Strengthening Civil Society in Sri Lanka

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support strengthening civil society in Sri Lanka. DRL seeks proposals for programs that promote and enable space for civic engagement in Sri Lanka. Proposals should assess freedoms of association and assembly following the 2019 Presidential and 2020 Parliamentary elections, help strengthen the capacity for civil society to influence and monitor the role of the government, and provide targeted technical assistance to ensure resilient civic engagement in a closing space with government to ensure all voices are represented, including marginalized populations. Program activities may include but are not limited to: • Create new or strengthen existing networks of like-minded Sri Lankan CSO’s to improve their communication and coordination after the elections. • Support Sri Lankan civil society organizations with organizational development, management, legal support, and other forms of capacity building, in addition to technical program support • Support civil society to engage with elected officials and advocate for issues of key concern at the local and national level. • Develop public-awareness and advocacy campaigns that can be implemented via multiple media and social platforms.