Deadline: 10 April 2019
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Sustainable Forest Management Project.
This five year, $18.5 million project will reduce emissions from land use change by strengthening sustainable forest management in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), Verapaces, and Western Highlands, while generating direct economic and environmental benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) and addressing the lack of economic opportunity which is the primary driver of illegal migration in Guatemala. This will be accomplished by building technical and institutional capacity in the forest sector, and supporting the implementation of legal and policy frameworks that enable long-term community management of natural resources. Ultimately, this Project will improve the performance and sustainability of local forestry and forest-related businesses, while building healthy forests and livelihoods. This project is funded solely with Sustainable Landscapes funds.
Areas
The applicant and proposed partners will implement solutions to the development challenge in the geographic areas. The applicant’s project will support solutions that advance the following three overarching areas:
- Sustainable resource management improved to protect forests and enhance ecosystem services
- Market linkages for sustainably produced forest and agroforestry products and tourism services developed to improve livelihoods; and
- Implementation of national- and regional-level laws, plans, strategies, and policies that seek to reduce deforestation advanced.
Award Information
- Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide $18.5 million in total USAID funding over a 5 year period. USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.
- The anticipated period of performance is five (5) years. The estimated start date will be upon the signature of the award.
Eligible Applicants
- Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted. USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
- It is a requirement that the organization is legally registered in the country of Guatemala. If the applicant is a U.S. Organization and it is not registered in the country at the time of the award, the registration process should be completed during the first year of project implementation or sooner.
- USAID defines a “local entity” as an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:
- Is legally organized under the laws of Guatemala;
- Has as its principal place of business or operations in Guatemala;
- Is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Guatemala; and
- Is managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country receiving assistance. For purposes of this section, ‘majority-owned’ and ‘managed by’ include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization’s managers or a majority of the organization’s governing body by any means.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via email at the address given on the website.
For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=313485