Deadline: 25 May 2020
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement from qualified entities to implement the Youth Resilience Activity (YRA).
The United States Agency for International Development in Colombia (USAID/Colombia) fosters a continuum of care, support, and engagement for youth so they can live without fear of violence or retribution. The Youth Resilience Activity (YRA or the Activity) is driven by USAID/Colombia’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) goal of “Creating the conditions for a sustainable and inclusive peace in Colombia.” The activity stems from Development Objective 2, which seeks to “advance reconciliation among victims, ex-combatants and other citizens” and is built upon lessons learned from previous and ongoing USAID/Colombia programs working with youth, marginalized groups, victims of the conflict, prevention of recruitment, reconciliation, psychosocial support, peace-builders and inclusion of conflict-affected populations.
Through this activity, USAID/Colombia’s Reconciliation and Inclusion Office (RIO) seeks to support youth in high risk environments to reach their full potential, as safe, productive, healthy and engaged participants with positive enabling environments where violence is prevented and risks associated with crime are mitigated. This will entail supporting youth-centered efforts targeting Colombian and Venezuelan youth, disengaged child soldiers, and former youth offenders.
Adhering to USAID’s Youth in Development Policy definition of young people, YRA’s target youth range is from ages 10 to 29, with emphasis on adolescence and emerging adulthood (ages 15-29). From a socio-ecological systems approach, YRA also targets youth’s families, community, service providers, and others impacting their development.
To achieve the above, USAID/Colombia will support YRA’s efforts to develop peaceful and protective environments; strengthen relationships among youth, their families, communities, and local authorities; and provide alternative education and economic opportunities for youth, in particular women and girls, in high-risk environments.
Objectives
The activity is composed of the following interlinked and interdependent objectives:
- Objective 1: Healthy relationships and networks established.
- Objective 2: Youth-centric protective environments created.
- Objective 3: Youth economic empowerment enhanced.
Cross-cutting Objective: Strategic communications for social cohesion enhanced.
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 $45,000,000.00 and $50,000,000.00 in total USAID funding over a five-year period.
Duration
The anticipated period of performance is five (5) years.
Geographic Focus
In determining the geographic scope for the YRA, USAID/Colombia used the following criteria:
- Departments with over 35 percent youth population;
- Departments where youth constitute over 50 percent of victims of homicide;
- Departments with highest number of youth within the criminal justice system (SRPA, for its Spanish acronym);
- Reported recruitment and utilization of youth by illegal armed groups;
- Reported levels of disengaged child soldiers by department;
- Departments with highest rates of GBV against youth and/or teen pregnancy.
Consistent with the Mission’s goals and Government of Colombia priorities, USAID/Colombia will support the Applicant’s efforts in approximately 30 municipalities, in rural, peri-urban and urban areas, within the following departments:
- Arauca
- Antioquia
- Caquetá
- Cauca
- Chocó
- Nariño
- Norte de Santander
- Valle del Cauca
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted. U.S. and non-US organizations may participate. USAID welcomes applications from organizations that 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 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 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. Forgone 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=326516