Pacific Islands Good Governance Initiative | SFOP0005969

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005969

The Pacific Islands Good Governance Initiative (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0005969) is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity, managed by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, focused on improving the quality of governance across the Pacific Islands. The core aim is to support an initiative that advances sound, fair, and responsive governance in ways that empower citizens, reduce corruption risks, and reinforce the sovereignty of Pacific Island nations. The opportunity is framed around the idea that transparent and accountable public institutions, backed by a strong civil society and the rule of law, are central to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The program is designed to address what the announcement describes as the most urgent governance needs in the Pacific Islands. Proposed activities are expected to connect governance reform to practical outcomes, such as stronger public sector accountability and more effective anti-corruption efforts. The opportunity also emphasizes multilateral engagement and advocacy, suggesting that successful proposals should not only work within individual countries but also help strengthen regional cooperation, shared standards, and collective problem-solving across Pacific institutions and forums.

Key focus areas include promoting public sector accountability and tackling corruption, encouraging high-standards investment practices, and supporting debt sustainability approaches. In practical terms, this points to programming that helps governments and stakeholders improve transparency around public finance and procurement, adopt clearer standards for investment decision-making, and build the capacity to manage debt responsibly so that fiscal pressures do not undermine independence or long-term stability. The opportunity also calls for strengthening governance institutions more broadly, which can include improving the effectiveness, independence, and integrity of bodies responsible for oversight, auditing, ethics, and related accountability functions.

A major theme is expanding meaningful public participation in policymaking, with a specific emphasis on increasing the inclusion of women and marginalized populations. This signals interest in initiatives that reduce barriers to civic engagement and create structured channels for communities to shape public decisions, whether through consultations, participatory budgeting approaches, civic education, leadership development, or support to local civil society networks. Another priority is improving access to quality, reliable media and other trustworthy sources of information, reflecting the role that independent journalism and accurate public information play in accountability, informed participation, and resilience against manipulation.

Finally, the opportunity highlights strengthening the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and human rights. This suggests support for programs that reinforce legal and institutional protections, promote fair and consistent application of laws, and defend civic space so that citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations can operate without intimidation. Overall, the initiative is positioned as a broad governance-strengthening effort that ties institutional reform, public accountability, inclusive participation, and information integrity to regional stability and national sovereignty.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant in the regional development category (CFDA 19.124). Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The announced award ceiling is $12,000,000, with an expectation of one award, indicating the Department intended to fund a single, large, coordinated initiative rather than multiple smaller projects. The opportunity was created on June 11, 2019, with an original closing date of August 12, 2019.

• The Department of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pacific Islands Good Governance Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.124.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 11, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 12, 2019. (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 $12,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for SFOP0005969

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