FORSATY Research for Adaptation and Learning (REAL) Program – Morocco

Deadline: 8-Nov-23

The United States Agency for International Development in Morocco (USAID/Morocco) is seeking concept notes from qualified organizations for the FORSATY Research for Adaptation and Learning (REAL) Program.

REAL will seek to not only support testing and measurement of program outcomes, but also contribute to the development of innovative measurements of VE risk probability and impact. The REAL program will work hand in hand with the FORSATY (USAID/Morocco’s follow on CVE program) implementing partner. Ultimately, by building partnerships and approaches to better test, measure, adapt and learn from youth and CVE programs, REAL will contribute to stronger interventions, programs and policies.

The purpose of REAL is to strengthen the evidence base to effectively measure and assess the impact of youth and countering violent extremism programs and interventions in Morocco. By strengthening local monitoring and data systems and by supporting robust research, evaluation and learning methodologies, the program will provide valuable insights and datadriven evidence to improve program design, implementation, and decision-making.

Program Objectives and Illustrative Results

REAL has three objectives jointly contributing to the achievement of the program goal:

• Objective One: Establish, in partnership with USAID, GOM and FORSATY partners, a youth longitudinal study that enables stakeholders to better understand the role that youth and CVE programs and strategies play in furthering youth wellbeing and decreasing vulnerability to violent extremism.
  • Objective One Illustrative Results:
    • Review existing evidence from past CVE programming in Morocco to inform prospective research and generate information on effectiveness of CVE programming.
    • Partner with GOM youth and CVE stakeholders to design and implement a rigorous data collection framework that captures key socio-economic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors affecting youth wellbeing and susceptibility to violent extremism.
    • Conduct a qualitative and quantitative analysis of changes in communities in which FORSATY works and a comparison with communities that did not have FORSATY interventions, with a focus on community specific vulnerabilities and risk factors to VE.
    • Conduct longitudinal research to track the progress and changes in youth participants over time, providing valuable insights into the long-term effectiveness of interventions.
    • Analyze and disseminate the study’s findings to inform evidence-based program design, adaptation, and policy-making, ensuring targeted and impactful interventions.
• Objective Two: Strengthen the capacity of key Moroccan institutions, USAID, and partners (with a focus on FORSATY partners) to improve measurement, evaluation and evidence-based adaptations of youth and countering violent extremism programming.
  • Objective Two Illustrative Results:
    • To gain deeper insights into the impact on youth wellbeing and vulnerability to violent extremism through the utilization of innovative research and learning methodologies, including the use of data analytics, social network analysis, and predictive modeling techniques.
    • To facilitate the dissemination and utilization of research findings and best practices among stakeholders via the development of user-friendly and interactive learning tools, such as online platforms, data visualization dashboards, and knowledgesharing portals.
    • To build the evaluation and measurement skills of stakeholders, enhance their ability to design and implement appropriate and effective monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning systems, in the context of FORSATY objectives.
    • Strengthen the collaboration towards learning and evidence-based decision-making among program stakeholders, encouraging the use of data and evaluation results for programmatic improvements and adaptive management.
• Objective Three: Promote effective youth and countering violent extremism interventions, and knowledge sharing through a collaborative learning network, within and beyond Morocco.
  • Objective Three Illustrative Results:
    • To foster continuous learning and improvement by establishing collaborative research and a learning network that brings together Moroccan institutions, USAID, project partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
    • Facilitated regular forums, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events where stakeholders can exchange experiences, insights, and innovative approaches to youth and countering violent extremism programming.
    • Adaptive management practices encouraged by creating feedback mechanisms that allow stakeholders to learn from monitoring and evaluation findings, promoting programmatic adaptations based on evidence and shared experiences.

Funding Information

• Subject to the availability of funds, USAID may allocate up to $5 million in total to fund one award. The proposed period of performance is five years.
• Funding Restrictions: Construction is not an allowable activity under this Addendum to the STIP APS. Also, USAID/Morocco does not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs under this Addendum.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any type of organization is eligible to submit a Concept Note under the FORSATY Research for Adaptation and Learning Addendum. However, in accordance with the requirements of the overarching Science, Technology, Innovation, and Partnership Annual Program Statement and USAID Morocco priorities, Concept Notes submitted in response to this Addendum must demonstrate engagement with the following actors at minimum:
  • A Higher Education Institution (HEI). Partnerships with Morocco, U.S., or international HEIs are acceptable. Consistent with guidance from USAID/DDI/Education, a higher education institution is defined as an organization that provides educational opportunities that build on secondary education, providing learning activities in specialized fields; this may include public or private universities, colleges, research institutes, training institutes, vocational training centers, etc.
  • A Local Partner. Local partners can be any type of Moroccan organization (public, private, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), etc.).
• They encourage Applicants to engage with local Higher Education Institutions.
• Further, the organization must be a legally recognized organizational entity under applicable law, legally registered in a country within the geographic code 937 (“the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, excluding any country that is a prohibited source” per ADS 310.3.1.1).
• The eligible Prime Applicants are expected to be the lead on one Concept Note only.
• Concept Notes from organizations that do not meet the above eligibility criteria will not be reviewed and evaluated. Individuals are not eligible to apply for funding under this Addendum.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.