Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0009221
The grant opportunity titled "Supporting Civil Society in Syria" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0009221) is a U.S. Department of State program run through the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination. It is designed to work in partnership with Syrian civil society organizations to respond to ongoing stabilization needs in northeast Syria and in parts of the northern Aleppo countryside that are outside the control of the Syrian regime. The opportunity is framed around the reality that communities in these areas have faced years of political, social, and economic hardship after more than a decade of conflict, and that local civil society groups remain central to meeting everyday needs, representing community concerns, and supporting local recovery in ways that align with U.S. policy interests.
The funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects substantial involvement in shaping, guiding, or coordinating the project during implementation rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal engagement. The program’s core purpose is to support activities that promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen accountability in targeted communities, while also building the institutional capacity of Syrian CSOs to better serve and represent all Syrians. In practice, this points to programming that reduces tensions and improves social cohesion, supports constructive community-level problem solving, and encourages more transparent and responsive local practices. Capacity-building is also a central theme, suggesting an emphasis on helping local organizations improve how they plan, manage, deliver services, engage constituents, and sustain their work over time.
A major requirement embedded in the opportunity is meaningful inclusion. Proposals are expected to pay specific attention to marginalized and underserved groups, especially women, youth, and religious and ethnic minorities. This implies that applicants should not treat inclusion as a general statement of intent, but rather design activities, outreach methods, participation structures, and accountability mechanisms that ensure these groups have real access, representation, and influence. In effect, the program is looking for civil society efforts that do not just deliver benefits to communities broadly, but also correct patterns of exclusion that often deepen instability and weaken trust in local systems.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted on October 20, 2022, with an original closing date of December 20, 2022. The listing indicates an award ceiling of $4,000,000 and anticipates making one award, signaling a single, relatively large program rather than multiple small grants. The CFDA number is 19.601. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility instructions, which typically means applicants need to consult the full announcement details to confirm which entities can apply (for example, certain categories of organizations, consortia, or partners). Overall, the opportunity is structured to fund a focused, sizable initiative that strengthens Syrian civil society’s ability to support stabilization, improve community cohesion, and increase local accountability while centering groups that are often left out of decision-making and services.Apply for SFOP0009221
- The Department of State, Assistance Coordination in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supporting Civil Society in Syria" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.601.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 20, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 20, 2022. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Supporting Civil Society in Syria (SFOP0009221)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled Supporting Civil Society in Syria. The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0009221.
Which U.S. government office is offering and running this opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State opportunity run through the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination.
What type of award is being offered?
The funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement indicates the U.S. government expects substantial involvement during implementation. In practice, that means the government anticipates helping shape, guide, or coordinate the project as it is carried out, rather than providing funding with minimal engagement.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The core purpose is to support activities that promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen accountability in targeted communities, while also building the institutional capacity of Syrian civil society organizations (CSOs) to better serve and represent all Syrians.
Where is the program expected to focus geographically?
The opportunity is designed to respond to stabilization needs in northeast Syria and in parts of the northern Aleppo countryside that are outside the control of the Syrian regime.
Who is the program intended to work with?
The program is designed to work in partnership with Syrian civil society organizations (CSOs).
What needs or challenges is this program responding to?
The opportunity is framed around communities facing years of political, social, and economic hardship following more than a decade of conflict, and it recognizes that local CSOs are central to meeting everyday needs, representing community concerns, and supporting local recovery.
What kinds of activities does the opportunity emphasize?
The opportunity points toward programming that reduces tensions and improves social cohesion, supports constructive community-level problem solving, and encourages more transparent and responsive local practices.
Is capacity-building part of the program?
Yes. Capacity-building is described as a central theme, with an emphasis on helping Syrian CSOs improve how they plan, manage, deliver services, engage constituents, and sustain their work over time.
Does the opportunity require meaningful inclusion of specific groups?
Yes. Proposals are expected to pay specific attention to marginalized and underserved groups, especially women, youth, and religious and ethnic minorities.
What does "meaningful inclusion" imply for proposal design?
The opportunity suggests inclusion should not be a general statement of intent. Instead, activities, outreach methods, participation structures, and accountability mechanisms should be designed so that women, youth, and minorities have real access, representation, and influence.
What outcomes is the program trying to encourage at the community level?
Based on the description, the program aims to support efforts that improve peaceful coexistence, reduce tensions, strengthen social cohesion, and increase accountability and responsiveness in local practices within targeted communities.
How many awards does the opportunity anticipate making?
The listing anticipates making one award, which signals a single, relatively large program rather than multiple smaller grants.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $4,000,000.
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was posted on October 20, 2022, with an original closing date of December 20, 2022.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.601.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others", with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility instructions. This typically means applicants should consult the full announcement to confirm which entity types, categories, or potential partner/consortium structures are allowed.
Is this opportunity intended to fund multiple small projects or one focused initiative?
Because it anticipates one award with a ceiling of $4,000,000, the opportunity appears structured to fund a focused, sizable initiative.
How does the opportunity describe the role of local civil society groups?
It describes local civil society groups as central to meeting everyday needs, representing community concerns, and supporting local recovery in ways that align with U.S. policy interests.
What is the program trying to change about exclusion and instability?
The description indicates the program is looking for civil society efforts that not only deliver broad community benefits, but also correct patterns of exclusion that can deepen instability and weaken trust in local systems.
What is a key administrative detail applicants should keep in mind from the listing?
Key listing details include the opportunity number (SFOP0009221), the posting date (October 20, 2022), the original closing date (December 20, 2022), the award ceiling ($4,000,000), the anticipated number of awards (one), and the CFDA number (19.601).
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