Deadline: 21-Jun-21
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Accelerating Social and Behavior Change Activity.
The purpose of the USAID/Ghana Accelerating Social and Behavior Change activity is to increase and sustain the adoption of healthy behaviors and practices for improved health outcomes with a focus on family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH); malaria prevention and treatment; maternal, newborn, and child health; community and household level water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices; nutrition; and public health emergencies such as COVID-19.
The activity promotes priority behaviors and practices that directly impact health outcomes. In consultation with health sector stakeholders and programs, USAID/Ghana identified “accelerator” behaviors to end preventable child and maternal deaths in Ghana. The Accelerating Social and Behavior Change activity will support the GoG, its partners, and Ghanaian citizens to prioritize practices and behaviors that improve health outcomes in Ghana.
These behaviors include: use of health services and products; timely care seeking for the prevention and treatment of adverse health conditions; delivering babies in a facility with a skilled birth attendant; completing four antenatal visits during pregnancy; using modern contraceptives; exclusive breastfeeding; sleeping under insecticide treated bed-nets (ITNs); and wearing a face mask to reduce COVID-19 infection.
USAID/Ghana hypothesizes that target populations will sustainably adopt healthy behaviors and practices, including timely use of health services and products if:
- the GoG leads and implements effective SBC programs at national, regional, district, and community levels;
- Communities identify, demand, and implement practical solutions that reduce barriers to practicing healthy behaviors; and
- Private Sector actors promote healthy behaviors and practices in support of the public health agenda.
The activity will engage various actors to achieve the three activity results identified in the theory of change above. These actors include: healthcare consumers and providers; policy makers who lead and harmonize a coordinated country SBC policy and strategies; communities who demand and actively take charge in finding local solutions to overcome obstacles to SBC; and a private sector that partners with government and communities in support of the public health agenda
Funding Information
- USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide $29,500,000 in total USAID funding over a five-year period.
- The anticipated period of performance is 5 years. The proposed period of performance is from August 30, 2021 through to August 30, 2026, with the actual period of performance stated at time of award.
- This NOFO is not restricted and is open to all entities that can meet the requirements to receive USAID assistance. Organizations eligible to apply under this NOFO include, but are not necessarily limited to, U.S. and non-US non-profit or for profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations, foundations, colleges and universities, civic groups, faith-based and community institutions, philanthropic organizations, and advocacy groups. For profit applicants should note that USAID policy prohibits the payment of fee/profit to the prime recipient under grants and cooperative agreements.
- 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.
- USAID will perform a risk assessment in accordance with 2 CFR 200.205 to determine the responsibility of Applicants considered for award. USAID may determine that a pre-award survey is required to conduct an examination that will serve as the basis for determining whether the prospective recipient had the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, financial resources, and technical skills – or the ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the program objectives and to comply with the terms and conditions of the award.
- 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=333004