Dominican Republic: Competitive Fund for Educational Innovations 227- Ensure that the grants which are awarded and the communities
and organizations that participate are sufficiently pluralistic and
appropriately diverse and representative of the needs and popu-
lations in the Dominican Republic. - Stimulate and sustain the commitment of private sector organi-
zations in civil society to partner with publicly funded govern-
ment agencies in addressing the needs of children ages 0–5 years. - Maintain the reliability and assure the ethics of the solicitation–
review–award process. The entire effort depends on ensuring
that the civil society organizations feel encouraged to submit
proposals and see transparency in the process and lack of politi-
cal partisanship.
Methodology and Organization
The methodology and organization of the Competitive Fund for Edu-
cational Innovations have been defined carefully and deliberately to
facilitate the selection and review of grant awards.
The methodology for awarding grants is a step-by-step process that
begins with the issuing of a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) an-
nounced by the Ministry of Education and conveyed through the
media. The existence of the fund and the availability of support for
innovative ECD projects are promoted publicly and nationwide, in
both rural and urban areas, by various media (e.g., newspapers),
through printed materials (e.g., brochures), and on the website of the
Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Education oversees dissemination of clear and pre-
cise guidelines for the preparation of proposals, acceptance and review
of proposals, and awarding of grants. The validity of the guidelines is
maintained and all parties must adhere to the guidelines set forth.
The fund comprises two organizational components: the Directing
Board and the Technical Operating Unit. The Directing Board guides
the fund and is the fund’s highest decisionmaking body. It consists of
14 members who represent national and international public and pri-
vate organizations concerned with the education of children. Current
members include, for example, representatives from the Ministry of