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Introduction

SERASI, implemented by International Relief and Development (IRD), works with local organizations to improve the quality of people’s lives in communities across Indonesia. A unifying theme in all SERASI grants is the solicitation of grassroots solutions to community problems, and ensuring the maximum involvement of all stakeholders in decision-making processes.

SERASI’s work in Papua is designed to: a) provide small grants to organizations that can directly impact people’s lives in the areas of health, education, and governance; b) increase knowledge and understanding of a wide spectrum of stakeholders—from government to citizens and donors—of the unique challenges of promoting development in Papua; c) increase understanding and identification of potential activities for USAID’s future work in the region; and e)have substantial impact on technical focus areas, utilizing a cross-sectoral approach.

Local knowledge and expertise is critical in understanding needs and developing innovative responses in Papua; as such, the majority of grants and in-kind support will be delivered to, and through, Papuan organizations.

Focus and Objectives

SERASI focuses on three main areas of work with the following objectives:

  • Health: Grants will support activities that improve both quality of, and access to, basic health services. Activities will promote healthy behaviors, and will increase access to health information and services to underserved communities in Papua.
  • Education: Grants will support activities and organizations that can expand access to quality basic education services to rural, indigenous populations, through communitybased primarily non-formal means. SERASI will develop promising and innovative activities that expand access to quality education in underserved communities, and that have potential to be scaled up.
  • Democratic Governance: Grants will support programs that build the capacity of local leadership, improve transparency and accountability (especially with regard to special autonomy-related issues), improve governance standards and community participation, and protect people’s rights.

Working with SERASI

Local expertise is critical in Papua. While there may be room or circumstances that merit Jakarta-based NGO grants, the majority of grants and in-kind support will be provided to Papua-based organizations.

Organizations that are qualified to receive a SERASI grant include non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, faithbased groups, universities, and research institutes. Other types of organizations will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please note, however, that SERASI is not able to provide grants to government, private businesses, or individuals.

Eligible organizations interested in developing and implementing a program with SERASI funding should contact SERASI personnel in Jakarta or Jayapura.

A SERASI Program Officer will work directly with eligible organizations on the process of developing grants and receiving funding, and are available to discuss potential ideas. SERASI encourages grants that address or blend all three focus areas and objectives, or that may bring multiple organizations with specific expertise together to address a larger issue. Grant concepts must demonstrate a strategic need, community involvement, the ability to be undertaken in no more than nine (9) months, and address the issue of sustainability of the program after SERASI funding ends.