Deadline: 28-Jun-21
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement from qualified entities to implement the Strengthening Civil Society and Community Resilience Program.
This proposed program concept, aimed at strengthening the capacity of the civil society sector, will help empower civil society to more fully play their roles of interest aggregation and articulation, advocacy, and oversight. These, in turn, could lead to better governance, which in the Cameroonian context particularly refers to heightened citizen participation in the public policy process, stronger exercise of checks and balances, greater transparency in government functions, and improved service delivery.
These are all critical elements of development for an unstable country, riven with multiple and overlapping cleavages, that will reinforce the overarching U.S. Government priority goal of promoting stability in the region.
The proposed program approach will advance the goal of “Cameroonians empowered to address their needs through increased access to services and ability to advocate” through two, mutually reinforcing sub-purposes.
- Sub-purpose 1: Institutional capacity of strategic civil society partners developed: There is an ecosystem of civil society organizations in Cameroon that cover a wide range of topics and represent a variety of societal interests and issues. There are CSOs whose work focuses on human rights and governance issues, and those with activities that are more developmental in nature, working on health, environment, education, water, and other technical areas. There are communitybased organizations (CBOs), service delivery organizations, and business-oriented groups.
- Sub-Purpose 2: CSOs more effectively represent and serve their constituencies and communities: CSOs in Cameroon represent a development force and local civil society organizations’ interventions are crucial to engage local communities and vulnerable groups in social, cultural, and economic activities that raise awareness, identify imminent needs, and fill a gap in essential service provision. Sub-purpose 2 of the SCS-CRP will focus on citizen-centered governance. Stronger citizen engagement will foster citizen demand for more effective services and empower local ownership of the development and sustainability of community initiatives. The SCS-CRP program will work with CSOs to educate citizens about their civic responsibilities and ways to become more meaningfully involved in the community.
- health – in particular the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the Global Health Security Agenda;
- security – helping Cameroon counter violent extremism in the Far North and protecting against maritime crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea; and
- humanitarian efforts – providing assistance to refugees from the Central African Republic and northeast Nigeria, as well as a growing number of internally displaced persons.
- 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 an amount of $11,000,000 and additional $5,000,000 in Program Modifiers in total USAID funding over a five-year period.
- The anticipated period of performance is five years. The estimated start date will be August 31, 2021.
- Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted.
- U.S. and non-U.S. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), for-profit companies willing to forego profit, colleges and universities, and Public International Organizations (PIOs) are eligible to submit applications. Faith-based and community organizations that fit the criteria above are also eligible to apply.
- Applicant(s) must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. The successful applicant(s) will be subject to a responsibility determination (may include a Pre-award Survey) issued by a warranted Agreements Officer (AO) in USAID.
- The Recipient must be a responsible entity. The AO may determine a pre-award survey is required to conduct an examination that will determine 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 objectives of the program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award.
- USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333500