Deadline: 13-May-24
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking Draft Program Description from qualified entities to implement the Strengthening Economic and Socio-Cultural Resilience of Tibetan Communities in South Asia program by means of a Cooperative Agreement assistance award.
The ‘Strengthening Economic and Socio-Cultural Resilience of Tibetan Communities in South Asia’ activity intends to (i) strengthen the economic resilience of the Tibetan communities in South Asia by improving access to economically secure careers and employment/livelihood opportunities, (ii) enhance the social resilience of the Tibetan communities by strengthening access to quality health care, elder care and other social services, and (iii) promote and preserve Tibetan language and culture.
Funding Information
- USAID intends to provide US$35,000,000 in total USAID funding over a five-year period.
Key Components
- The objective of this activity is to strengthen the economic, social, and cultural resilience of the Tibetan communities in South Asia, specifically in India and Nepal through the following components.
- Component 1: Economic Growth and Career/Livelihood Opportunities Strengthened
- This component of the activity will need to consider all of these challenges faced by the Tibetan community in engaging in careers/sustainable livelihoods that provide economic security. The proposed initiative is intended to enhance the ability of the Tibetan exile population to pursue more productive and economically secure careers/livelihood strategies. Targeted interventions will need to focus on making transformative changes in the traditional livelihoods of the settlements as well as promoting new employment and career opportunities, particularly for youth. This will need to include, but is not limited to:
- addressing the insecurity and low income potential that characterizes much of the current livelihoods;
- improving access to secondary/higher education and/or vocational training and workforce development opportunities as well as platforms or resources that can link youth to job markets after obtaining their degrees or training certificates;
- improving access to finance;
- improving market linkages and private sector partnerships;
- Promoting alternative sources of employment and economic growth in communities such as cultural tourism.
- Illustrative results of this component include:
- Increased number of Tibetan youth (equal number of men and women) accessing secondary/higher education or vocational training as a result of USG support;
- Improved access to finance for Tibetan entrepreneurs in India and Nepal;
- Increased number of Tibetan youth, men and women parity, linked to employment opportunities as a result of USG supported career counseling platforms;
- Financial literacy enhanced for Tibetan entrepreneurs/small businesses;
- Public-private partnerships strengthened for quick access to expertise, market insights, and specialized training in line with market demands;
- Transitioning from traditional to modern agricultural systems (including moving to higher value crops or value addition agri-business);
- Improve ICT and STEM in education for stronger teaching and learning outcomes that would open up livelihood opportunities;
- Community driven entrepreneurship, Tibetan cooperatives, or other forms of business such as cultural tourism fostered for creating livelihood opportunities and ensuring financial sustainability.
- This component of the activity will need to consider all of these challenges faced by the Tibetan community in engaging in careers/sustainable livelihoods that provide economic security. The proposed initiative is intended to enhance the ability of the Tibetan exile population to pursue more productive and economically secure careers/livelihood strategies. Targeted interventions will need to focus on making transformative changes in the traditional livelihoods of the settlements as well as promoting new employment and career opportunities, particularly for youth. This will need to include, but is not limited to:
- Component 2: Social Resilience of Tibetan Communities Enhanced
- Illustrative results of this component could include:
- Access to quality, cost-effective healthcare improved;
- Access to mental health and elder care services improved;
- Improved health education and awareness on prevention and control of various diseases like Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, lifestyle related non-communicable diseases, sexual and reproductive health, etc.
- Strengthened community health insurance to provide extended coverage of Tibetans under various health schemes.
- Health Management and Information System (HMIS) strengthened
- Illustrative results of this component could include:
- Component 3: Cultural Resilience of Tibetan Communities Strengthened
- Illustrative results of this component could include:
- Tibetan cultural tourism promoted;
- Tibetan performing and visual arts promoted and preserved (including building the sustainability of cultural institutions);
- Models (including public-private partnerships) explored to promote Tibetan handicrafts in India, Nepal, and the wider diaspora;
- Financially sustainable models of education (accessible for people with disability as well) in Tibetan language promoted;
- Sustainability of the Tibetan language ensured through continued investments in literary publications at all levels.
- Feasibility for enhanced school immersion programs explored for greater exposure of Tibetan diaspora to Tibetan language and culture.
- Illustrative results of this component could include:
- Component 1: Economic Growth and Career/Livelihood Opportunities Strengthened
Geographic Focus
- Geographically, the activity shall focus on all the Tibetan communities in India and Nepal by engaging with all the relevant stakeholders and ensuring that they coordinate and align with the priorities of the Central Tibetan Administration. However, given the dramatically different characteristics and needs of the settlements across India and Nepal, the activity will have to work closely with the CTA and other stakeholders to determine the best solutions for the different situations.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility for this NOFO is open to all eligible and qualified U.S., local and international nongovernmental entities. An organization may submit only one (1) application under this notice of funding opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to seek partnerships with the CTA in implementing and delivering on the components. Organizations may consider consortiums of no more than four partners and the applications must clearly demonstrate the activities that would be taken up, management and role of all the consortium partners. However, organizations participating as a member of a consortium may elect to participate in another consortium for a different Organization/Firm in response to this NOFO.
- For direct awards to proposed local consortium partners, USAID reserves the right to determine the type of assistance instrument, for example, Cost reimbursement or Fixed Amount Award.
- Profit is not allowable for recipients or subrecipients under this award. While for-profit organizations may participate, pursuant to 2 CFR 700.13(a)(1), Prohibition against Profit, no profit/fee will be paid to any entity/organization receiving or administering Federal financial assistance as a recipient or subrecipient (consortium partner). Applicant/recipient is responsible for complying with all applicable U.S. and Government of India laws and regulations.
- USAID welcomes organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal law.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.