DRLFY17/18 Yemen - Child Soldiers

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 efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen. This includes the demobilization and reintegration of combatants, including child soldiers. DRLs objective is to support and empower local Yemeni efforts to address the recruitment and use of child soldiers by non-governmental armed actors and/or government security forces in Yemen and, where appropriate, support implementation of the May 2014 UN Action Plan to End Recruitment and Use of Children by Armed Force.

Projects should target recruitment and demobilization efforts in local communities. Programs should work in partnership with local Yemeni civil society organizations, Yemeni government institutions, and/or local-level influencers, such as, but not limited to, law enforcement officials and/or security force leaders, civilian authorities, national and/or local youth organizations, and religious and tribal leaders. Any awareness raising campaigns should be aimed specifically at key actors able to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers. Projects should demonstrate a strong understanding of child soldier recruitment practices in Yemen and local barriers to demobilization.

Successful proposals will focus on targeted and attainable impact on youth susceptible to recruitment and/or currently involved in armed conflict. Projects focusing solely on awareness raising campaigns will be deemed non-competitive. To promote collaboration and avoid duplication of efforts, projects should demonstrate the ability to coordinate closely with other actors and programs currently or previously engaged in similar initiatives or advocacy on this topic. All proposals must demonstrate that they do not duplicate existing efforts.

Formerly posted under legacy number DRLA-DRLAQM-18-025