Grassroots Civil Society Building Program | RFA OAA 17 000033

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OAA 17 000033

The Grassroots Civil Society Building Program is a USAID funding opportunity focused on strengthening independent civil society in Cuba as part of a broader U.S. assistance strategy aimed at supporting democracy, human rights, and human dignity. The program is rooted in the idea that a peaceful transition to a self-determined democratic system requires a stronger civic space inside Cuba, where citizens and community groups can organize, communicate, and advocate without intimidation. In practical terms, the opportunity prioritizes efforts that help Cuban civil society actors build capacity, expand community participation, and form stronger networks with each other, while also improving the flow of information to, from, and within the island to counter restrictions on communication and public discourse.

The opportunity recognizes that Cuban civil society groups cover a wide range of interests and activities, including both political and non-political advocacy. The description highlights organized associations and initiatives connected to youth empowerment, human rights, independent media and free press, arts and culture, religion, gender and sexuality, and other local community needs. USAID frames these groups as essential contributors to an expanding public sphere in Cuba, where discussion and problem-solving can occur beyond state-controlled channels. A major emphasis is on helping civil society leaders and organizations create and sustain structures that allow them to advocate for human rights, express political and religious beliefs, and respond to community priorities.

A central part of the justification for the program is the documented intensification of repression against civil society leaders and their organizations. The description notes that the Cuban government is believed to be detaining dozens of political prisoners for peacefully exercising freedom of expression and sharing political views. It also points to a broader set of pressure tactics used to limit fundamental freedoms, including restrictions on expression, association, peaceful assembly, and movement. Beyond direct imprisonment, the narrative underscores ongoing surveillance, intimidation, and harassment of activists, including former political prisoners who remain in Cuba and continue their civic engagement.

The opportunity also calls attention to the spillover effects of repression on families of human rights actors and dissenters, including children. It describes discrimination that can include barriers to earning a living, reduced access to basic social services, obstacles to higher education, and social alienation and emotional hardship tied to a family member s activism or association with political or religious dissent. By highlighting these impacts, the program frames civil society support not only as political space-building, but also as a response to real community harms created by coercive pressure, stigma, and exclusion.

From an administrative standpoint, the grant is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement by the funding agency in the supported activities compared to a standard grant. The opportunity number is RFA OAA 17 000033 under CFDA 98.001, issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations may apply, as long as they are qualified to carry out the proposed work. The stated award ceiling is $2,000,000, and the original closing date for applications was August 21, 2017. Overall, the program is designed to fund projects that strengthen grassroots civic organizations, reinforce networks and participation, and expand information sharing in ways that help Cuban communities advocate for rights, dignity, and democratic change while navigating a highly constrained and risky operating environment.

• The Agency for International Development in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Grassroots Civil Society Building Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-07-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-08-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for RFA OAA 17 000033

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