Women of Okinawa Power Alliance Network (WOPAN) Program and Events | PAS NAHA FY2017 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS NAHA FY2017 0001

The Women of Okinawa Power Alliance Network (WOPAN) Program and Events grant opportunity is a U.S. Department of State funding announcement from the U.S. Consulate in Naha aimed at expanding and sustaining women s empowerment programming and professional networking in Okinawa. WOPAN was launched in 2016 to create a practical, discussion driven space where Okinawan and international leaders can connect with students, early career professionals, and other community members. While it centers women s empowerment, the program is designed to be inclusive and can involve men as participants and partners. A defining feature of WOPAN is that it deliberately taps into the international expertise already present in Okinawa, including specialists from communities such as the military and scientific sectors, to create exchanges that are cross cultural and cross generational rather than limited to traditional local speaker formats.

The Consulate is seeking one grantee to carry out a structured annual schedule of programming that continues the established WOPAN model. The selected applicant would organize three thematic networking events and two women s empowerment workshops each year. The thematic events are expected to resemble panel based programs that include a moderated discussion, a question and answer segment, and dedicated networking time, with topics that may include areas like science and public service plus an additional theme to be determined. The workshops are intended to provide more skills based or training oriented empowerment content, with specific workshop topics to be developed in coordination with the Consulate. Across the events, the Consulate s goals are to broaden awareness of WOPAN to increase participation, bring together women at different career stages to share best practices and real world perspectives, and strengthen long term investment in the network so it remains active between events and into future years.

Operationally, the grant places significant responsibility on the grantee for end to end event delivery and outreach. That includes securing venues such as conference rooms, arranging interpreters as needed, producing promotional materials like flyers, managing invitations and RSVPs, coordinating media outreach or coverage, and handling on site needs such as set up, refreshments, and post event clean up. The grantee is also expected to use its own community and professional networks to expand attendance and diversify participation, rather than relying only on Consulate channels. In addition, the grantee would maintain and manage the WOPAN email distribution list to share program announcements and related information between events, helping keep the network active beyond the scheduled programming.

Program oversight is designed as a cooperative relationship with the U.S. Consulate. The grantee must obtain Consulate approval on key program elements such as event dates, panelists, workshop leaders, and proposed themes and workshop topics. Each panel is required to include at least one English speaking international panelist to preserve the program s cross cultural character. Consulate representatives plan to support events through on site oversight and day of hosting duties, but the grantee must also identify alternate emcees to ensure events can proceed smoothly if Consulate personnel are unavailable. The announcement notes examples of prior successful WOPAN activities, including a launch event at the Consul General s residence and thematic events focused on women in health and medicine, business, and hospitality, held at venues in Urasoe and Naha.

In terms of funding and eligibility, this is a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.040 with an award ceiling of $80,000 and an expectation of one award. Eligible applicants include individuals, nonprofits (both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status), for profit organizations (including small businesses), and other qualified entities. The original application closing date listed is March 27, 2017, and the solicitation referenced is for FY2017. The Consulate indicates it may consider award periods of up to three years for exceptional proposals on a case by case basis, though the standard expectation is that successful projects are completed within one year or less.

The funding terms emphasize standard U.S. government assistance rules: the Department of State will not provide profit under assistance instruments, but it will reimburse or pay reasonable, allocable, and allowable direct and indirect program costs consistent with applicable cost principles and regulations. The opportunity is governed by federal assistance standards including 2 CFR 200, with a specific note that overseas based nonprofit organizations are legally required to comply with 2 CFR 200. The legal authority for the program is tied to the U.S. Information and Education Act of 1948 (Smith Mundt Act). Finally, the Consulate reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications and to set the final award amount based on its assessment of proposals and program priorities.

• The Department of State in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women of Okinawa Power Alliance Network (WOPAN) Program and Events" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-03-27. (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 $80,000.00 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for PAS NAHA FY2017 0001

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