Deadline: 24-Jan-22
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Private Sector-Led Workforce Development Activity which aims to harness the leadership of the private sector as a change agent to develop sustainable and innovative models to develop the Kosovo workforce.
The activity will rely heavily on private sector driven solutions in in high growth industries such as, but not necessarily limited to: wood processing, ICT, agribusiness and more industries (ie. light manufacturing and energy) to develop market-based approaches that will advance the skills of Kosovo’s workforce. There will be a heavy focus on sustainability and self-reliance among local actors. The activity will catalyze participation from key stakeholders such as the diaspora, business associations, and other non-governmental structures.
The private sector’s leadership will offer a radically different approach to sustainability and will strengthen the ecosystem between the business community, education institutions, and policy makers. Putting the private sector in the driver’s seat will lead to improved outcomes, and now more than ever a highly skilled workforce is critical for developing Kosovo’s long term competitiveness. Through a tailored approach in high growth industries, the private sector is poised to lead Kosovo in solving workforce issues.
Objectives
The objective of this activity will embolden the private sector to develop and strengthen the workforce, this will result in more market driven skills. To maximize the impact of the activity, and to ensure sustainability, the approach will leverage the private sector to directly lead in interventions. Direct and tailored, implementation with the private sector will be a key path to success:
- Design Solutions
- Implement Solutions
- Monitor and Manage Adaptively
Funding Information
- USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to $10,000,000 in total USAID funding over a five year period.
- Award Floor: $2,328,500
Eligibility Criteria
- Through this RFA, USAID seeks to make an award to organizations and/or partnerships that can embolden the private sector to develop and strengthen the workforce in Kosovo.
- Eligibility for this RFA is not restricted. All U.S. and non-U.S. public, private, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education, parochial, and other non-governmental organizations, are eligible to submit an application. Further, the organization must be a legally recognized organizational entity under applicable law. Foreign government owned parastatal organizations from countries that are ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) or related appropriations acts are ineligible. Applications from individuals will not be accepted nor reviewed.
- Each applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. The Agreement Officer (AO) may determine that a pre-award survey is required in accordance with ADS 303.3.9.1 and if so, would establish a formal survey team to conduct an examination that will determine whether the applicant has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program.
- Applicants who do not currently meet all USAID requirements for systems and controls may still be eligible under special award considerations and should not be discouraged from applying. USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously worked with the Agency.
- USAID strongly encourages applications from potential new partners who meet the eligibility requirements and are willing to be subjected to a Pre-Award Responsibility Determination, which is a pre-award audit to determine fiscal responsibility (i.e., whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objective of this program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award).
- Each applicant organization is limited to one application submission as the Prime applicant.
- There is no limitation on being included as a potential Sub-awardee. USAID discourages the use of exclusive teaming arrangements.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336496