Deadline: 30-Jun-2020
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Weaving Lives and Hope Activity (WLH).
The purpose of WLH is to partner with GOC, conflict-affected communities, and conflict survivors including youth suffering from transgenerational trauma- to advance psychosocial support mechanisms’ inclusion in community-based interventions. By supporting psychosocial mechanisms through WLH, USAID will improve citizen access to MHPSS in conflict-affected communities.
WLH’s work to improve mental health service access is expected to mitigate the risks associated with psychosocial trauma, like anxiety and depression, and will allow conflict survivors to lead productive lives and generate peaceful coexistence. Support to civil society organizations (CSOs) in areas like leadership, administrative skills and financial management will help develop local capacity to promote transformative change and peaceful coexistence.
USAID will provide financial support for the implementation of WLH to promote economic empowerment through job training, job placement, entrepreneurial support and public-private partnerships (PPP). USAID/Colombia also expects to support establishment of PPPs by building upon lessons learned and best practices from previous and ongoing programs.
Through these PPPs, WLH is expected to help vulnerable populations, including women, youth and ethnic groups, develop workforce development skills, access to gainful employment, and develop new entrepreneurship opportunities.
Geographic Focus
The Activity will be implemented in urban and rural centers located in regions with conflict affected communities and conflict survivors that are aligned with USAID/Colombia’s geographic priorities. The final geographic focus will be determined upon award and will be based on the selected recipient’s application, consistent with PDETs, the National Rehabilitation and Coexistence Plan and other contextual key elements. Additional criteria to this identification will also include high levels of GBV, high levels of reported intra-family violence, and significant lack of access to MHPSS services.
Funding Information
- USAID intends to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide between $27,000,000.00 and $30,000,000.00 in total USAID funding over a five-year period.
- The anticipated period of performance is 5 years.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. and non-U.S. organizations may participate under this NOFO.
- USAID welcomes applications from organizations which have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. Applicants must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations.
- The successful Applicant will be subject to a responsibility determination assessment by the Agreement Officer (AO). The Recipient must be a responsible entity.
- The AO may determine a pre-award survey is required to determine whether the prospective Recipient has the necessary experience, technical skills, and accounting and operational controls – or the ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the Activity and comply with the terms and conditions of the award.
- For-profit Applicants must note that USAID policy prohibits the payment of fee/profit for Recipients under assistance instruments. For gone profit does not qualify as cost-share or leverage. Extensive sub-grants or consortia with local organizations are encouraged in the Applicant’s program.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=327421