USAID-Kosovo: Seeking Grant Applications for EMPOWER Private Sector Project

Deadline: 31 December 2017

The USAID EMPOWER Private Sector in partnership with SIDA has issued a call for applications to finance innovative activities that create jobs and advance economic development. The project focuses on certain sectors but also supports significant job creation opportunities in any sector.

EMPOWER Private Sector’s overarching objective is creating new jobs in Kosovo, by helping enterprises fully realize their potential business opportunities, and by helping individuals qualify themselves for positions in demand in the labor market. EMPOWER Private Sector will track results indicators as measures of its performance. All awards must be expected to advance some or all of these results indicators, which include:

Jobs growth, both in total and with an affirmative focus on the employment of women, youth, and disadvantaged groups
Sales growth, in general and with a focus on exports or import-competing products and services
Increased number of micro-, small, and medium-sized businesses connected to business opportunities
Increased number of individuals certified for specific qualifications

Funding Information

Any awards resulting from this APS are expected to be in the range of EUR 5,000 to EUR 50,000 for activities whose implementation will be completed by December 31, 2018.

Eligibility Criteria

All awards issued under the USAID EMPOWER Private Sector SAF will be subject to the eligibility requirements set forth below. Eligible organizations must be:
- Legally registered Kosovo entities or institutions
- For profit or non-profit private companies, nongovernmental organizations and associations, or educational institutions (public or private).
Eligible organizations must also:
- Demonstrate an ability to contribute to the objectives of the USAID EMPOWER Private Sector and perform the award in accordance with USAID and Cardno principles and practices
- Display sound financial, administrative, and technical management in the form of a system of controls that safeguards assets, protects against fraud and waste
- Have a satisfactory performance record and record of business integrity and ethicality
- Be able to attest to and sign all mandatory certifications (listed in Annex C).
Ineligible organizations include:
- Individuals
- Political parties or institutions
- Organizations that intend to use funding for religious objectives
- Entities that are on the list of parties excluded from federal procurement and non-procurement programs or the United Nations Security Sanctions Committee, or have owners or managers that are so excluded.
Prior to the award of a grant under this APS, successful applicants will also be subject to a pre-award responsibility determination.
EMPOWER Private Sector will not take in consideration activities that have negative environmental impact that cannot be mitigated.
Cost-sharing is required.