Deadline: 22-Jun-21
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement from qualified entities to implement USAID/Colombia’s Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Colombian Empowerment Activity (the Activity).
The purpose of the Activity is to contribute to Indigenous Peoples’ and Afro-Colombians’ self determined development by strengthening ethnic organizations’ institutional and advocacy capacity, increasing IP-AC communities’ participation in peace implementation, providing selfdetermined and environmentally sustainable socio-economic opportunities, and increasing society’s respect for cultural heritage and diversity.
Objectives
- Improved self-governance for inclusive peacebuilding and sustainable natural resource management: USAID/Colombia will continue to take important steps to build Colombian government institutions’ capacity to better respond to ethnic communities’ needs and include ethnic differential approaches in public policies. The Activity will continue strengthening ethnic organizations’ and traditional governing bodies’ capacity so they can advocate on behalf of their communities’ needs, access public and private funds, and strengthen traditional self-protection mechanisms.
- Stronger “self-determined” economic development: USAID/Colombia recognizes the importance of cultural and creative industries in ethnic communities – including the orange economies prioritized by the Government of Colombia – and fostering sustainable, market-driven approaches to economic growth analyzing the viability of some markets and value chains in targeted areas.
- Strengthened cultural identity and respect for ethnic diversity: It is expected that by promoting cultural practices and traditions, the Activity will encourage the Colombian society to appreciate ethnic communities’ contribution to history and society and recognize legacies of discrimination and racism.
- Rapidly respond to emergencies and crises in IP-AC communities: USAID/Colombia recognizes that in order to implement sustainable development activities, the Activity must be able to effectively respond to specific emerging circumstances/needs. Within the terms of the scope and objectives of the Activity, and in the case of unforeseen events, the recipient may provide assistance to targeted populations in need. The Activity will set aside 5% of its total budget for this Objective.
Funding Information
- USAID intends to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this NOFO. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide between $55 million and $60 million in total USAID funding over a five-year period.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility for this RFA is not restricted. U.S. and non-US organizations may participate under this RFA. Public International Organizations (PIOs), as defined by ADS 308, are eligible to submit an application. Any PIO that submits an application to this RFA is agreeing to have all substantial involvement clauses included as special conditions in their final PIO cost-type agreement or is otherwise ineligible for award.
- 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 (Pre-award Survey) 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 program 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.
- 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=333761