NOFO: Strengthening Inclusive Small Business Growth in Central America

Deadline: 19-Apr-2024

The U.S. Department of State (DoS) announces a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to strengthen the economic resilience of Central American countries with up to $1,677,050 in Fiscal Year 2023 Economic Support Funds (ESF) for a project period between 24 to 36 months.

The WHA/PPC of the DoS announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to support SBDCs to be accredited, sustainable, and better able to build the capacity of local small businesses, including to enter larger markets. Strengthening the capacity of SBDCs in Central America will enhance the economic resilience of local communities, foster small business development, and promote regional economic stability.

Program Goal

• The goal of this project is to strengthen, accredit, and make SBDCs in Central America sustainable in order to enhance local economies, foster small business development, and promote inclusive economic stability.

Program Objectives

• Ideal projects will focus on one or more of the following objectives:
  • Objective 1: Provide training and support to help SBDCs become accredited, self-sustaining, and able to help build the capacity of small businesses, including how SBDCs can be more inclusive of members of historically marginalized communities, including migrants, women, people of African descent, LGBTQI+ persons, Indigenous populations, and persons with disabilities.
    • Activity 1: Design a program for non-accredited and/or struggling Central American SBDCs to receive training and guided support on how to be self-sustaining, and, through program completion, become accredited SBDCs.
    • Activity 2: Identify SBDCs to participate in the program and conduct an assessment of participant SBDCs to determine what each needs to achieve accreditation standards. a. In El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, funding shall not benefit the central governments.
  • Objective 2: Increase the trade capacity of small businesses by connecting SBDCs with AmChams and export advisors who can provide expertise and access to markets and other opportunities for import and export of goods not currently utilized at the local, national, and regional levels.
    • Activity 1: Introduce participating SBDCs to AmChams and their member companies and combine efforts to incorporate small businesses into international markets and internal country supply chains.
    • Activity 2: Work with the AmChams and their member companies, and SBDCs on developing small business training curriculum to help small businesses meet quality standards for their products to be purchased by international supply chains.
  • Objective 3: Expand SBDC networks through sister center partnerships between successful SBDCs, such as those in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and/or the United States, with Central American SBDCs so resources and expertise can be exchanged between the centers.
    • Activity 1: Expand South-South SBDC online networks to connect Central American SBDCs and other successful SBDCs from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and/or the United States.
    • Activity 2: Create forums (e.g. summits, webinars, etc.) for SBDCs to meet and share expertise and resources, including participation from successful SBDCs from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and/or the United States.
  • Objective 4: Assist SBDC efforts to integrate small businesses into local and regional supply chains, expanding the trade capacity of local businesses and enabling them to engage in buyer/supplier networks.
    • Activity 1: Evaluate participant SBDCs to determine how SBDCs could better support small businesses as they seek to enter local and regional supply chains, and in which economic sectors businesses should focus their efforts; incorporate findings upon completion.
    • Activity 2: Help SBDCs engage small businesses on entering buyer/supplier networks to bolster business trade capacity.
  • Objective 5: Strengthen local economies by supporting SBDC efforts to build business to business connections and strengthen the capacity of small businesses, including where possible to employ migrants and vulnerable populations.
    • Activity 1: Provide technical assistance on facilitating business to business partnerships between countries.
    • Activity 2: Work with SBDCs to help small businesses expand their hiring capacity.

Funding Information

• Funding Amount: $1,677,050 U.S. Dollars
• Award Ceiling: $1,677,050 U.S. Dollars
• Est. Project Start Date: August 19, 2024 Est.
• Project End Date: August 19, 2027
• Expected # of Awards Funded: 1
• Number of Applications: One (1) per applicant organization(s)

Expected Results

• By the end of the project, grantees should demonstrate that the project has accomplished the following results.
  • Objective 1 – SBDC Support & Accreditation: SBDCs are accredited and sustainable throughout the targeted countries in Central America.
  • Objective 2 – SBDC & AmCham Connections: SBDCs have incorporated AmChams’ opportunities to access markets and trade opportunities where possible.
  • Objective 3 – SBDC Network and Partnerships: SBDCs gained access to a wealth of resources, expertise, and best practices, enhancing their capacity to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SBDCs foster sustainable partnerships, and ultimately drive economic growth and development in the region.
  • Objective 4 – Integrate Small Businesses into Regional Supply Chains: SBDCs have enhanced their assistance to small businesses so they meet necessary standards to be integrated into local and regional supply chains.
  • Objective 5 – Business to Business Connections: SBDCs foster business-to-business connections and enhance small businesses’ capacity to strengthen economic landscape with increased collaboration, job creation, and improved livelihoods for marginalized communities, contributing to sustainable economic development and social inclusion.

Participants and Audiences

• The target population for the project activities should be SBDCs which are not accredited and are not owned by the central government or its universities in Norther Central American countries. The target population also includes small businesses, including those owned by migrants and vulnerable populations.

Priority Region

• The priority region for this cooperative agreement is Central America, with the following countries included: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. While not project beneficiaries, SBDCs in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and/or the U.S. can be sought as partners in assisting project activities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Entities: Applicants who are eligible to apply are U.S. non-profit/ NGOs having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS or overseas-based NGOs, institutions of higher education, and international public organizations (IPOs) and other qualified organizations that are able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period of time. NGOs are highly encouraged to apply.
• To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. Non-discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
• Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub-awards issued under this grant award.
• The DoS will issue an award to the Applicant whose application represents the best value to the USG based on technical merit, efficient use of USG funds, and satisfactory organizational capacity. The DoS reserves the right to make an award based on the initial application received with or without discussion or negotiations.
• WHA/PPC encourages applications from potential new partners.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.