Deadline: 26-May-21
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement for funding to support a program entitled “Social Engagement Support (SES) Activity” in Azerbaijan.
USAID seeks to empower citizens, citizen groups, and civil society to engage with one another and the government with the aim of building trust, confidence, skills, and abilities. They also seek civil society and citizen engagement of the private sector to catalyze their advocacy for changes that lead to good governance associated reforms.
The purpose of this activity is to strengthen local partnerships to enhance citizen participation in advancing Azerbaijan’s social and economic development while also increasing accountability and transparency in governance.
This activity’s goal is to strengthen formal and informal citizen groups (community-based organizations), and support and enhance their role in advancing Azerbaijan’s social and economic development while introducing innovative participatory practices at the local and regional levels.
The theory of change is that if citizens and citizens’ groups are strengthened and supported to more effectively engage their government; and if opportunities for engagement between government, citizens, and the private sector are increased; then citizens can better contribute to the socio-economic development of their communities and improve governance in their areas of influence
Objectives
- Objective 1: Improved capacity of citizens and groups to sustain engagement with government on shared development initiatives
- Enhanced civic engagement by citizens’ groups, informal and formal, including but not limited to CDCs;
- Diversified partnerships for citizens’ groups across private and public sectors.
- Objective 2:Increased utilization of participatory governance practices for local development especially through identification of partnership opportunities with the Government
- Increased opportunities for engagement between government, citizens, and the private sector
- Improved responsive participation practices/mechanisms; and
- Enhanced feedback to citizen input.
- Objective 3: Rapid Response to Unforeseen Opportunities and Challenges
- In parallel to all other efforts, supporting a more capable and engaged civil society and local government to form productive partnerships that support social and economic development may necessitate additional shorter-term activities.
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 $15,000,000/00 in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period.
- The period of performance anticipated herein is five years, starting from actual date to be filled in at the time of award, estimated on or about October 1, 2021.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted.
- Each applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. The Agreement Officer (AO) may determine that a pre-award survey is required in accordance with ADS 303.3.9.1 to determine whether the applicant 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 established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. Applicants who do not currently meet all USAID requirements for systems and controls may still be eligible under special award considerations and should not be discouraged from applying. USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. The prime recipient is encouraged to promote involvement of “underutilized” partners and local organizations in the implementation of this activity.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332963