USAID-Manila seeking Applications for Promoting Just, Engaged, Civic-minded and Transparent Governance

Deadline: 12-Oct-20

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement from qualified U.S. and Non-U.S. non-profit or for-profit Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other qualified non-U.S. organizations to implement a project entitled “PROJECT Governance.”

The Promoting Just, Engaged, Civic-minded and Transparent Governance in the Pacific (PROJECT Governance) activity is a flexible and adaptive implementing mechanism that will strengthen the practice of sound, just and responsive governance in the region.

For the purpose of this activity, the “Pacific Islands” and “Pacific Island Countries” (PICs) consist of the 12 sovereign nations of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, and Vanuatu. These PICs are spread across the three sub-regions of Micronesia (North Pacific), Melanesia (Southwest Pacific), and Polynesia (Central and South Pacific).

Objectives

PROJECT Governance will seek to achieve the following interrelated and mutually reinforcing objectives:

• Objective 1: Strengthen Sound Governance: In the context of the Pacific, sound governance entails countering corruption by increasing transparency and accountability, promoting responsible and sustainable financial practices, and strengthening the role of watchdog organizations that demand accountability from government. To strengthen sound governance, this activity seeks programmatic approaches and interventions that use engagement and capacitation strategies and interventions involving both government institutions (supply), at the regional, national, and/or sub-national levels as appropriate, and civil society (demand) that will lead to one or more of the following outcomes:
  • Public sector accountability and transparency which enables the availability of information needed to measure the authorities’ performance and to guard against any possible misuse of powers is increased;
  • Access to information which guarantees an open society in which citizens have access to information about the work done by the government is expanded;
  • Anti-corruption measures that reduce opportunities for corruption or make corrupt practices a high risk, low reward activity are strengthened;
  • Responsible borrowing practices characterized by agency, transparency, disclosure and publication, consultations, rigorous analysis, and adequate management and monitoring are promoted;
  • Honest and open procurement practices that result in the best combination of performance, qualifications, price and other values of importance but through methods that promote full and open competition are supported; and
  • Public financial management (PFM) that aligns with international best practices in the mobilization of revenue, and the allocation, spending, and accounting of public funds is installed.
• Objective 2: Bolster Just Governance: Just governance takes place within the context of a democratic political system that is representative of the will and interests of the people and where everyone, including the state itself, is accountable to laws that are passed openly by freely elected representatives, enforced fairly, and adjudicated independently. This activity seeks programmatic approaches and interventions that support non-partisan and sustainable reforms on both the supply and demand side, which will lead to one or more of the following outcomes:
  • The rule of law strengthened through support for national and subnational legislatures and government institutions to ensure that laws are openly made by democratically elected representatives;
  • Legal and judicial reforms that are consistent with international standards in ensuring that laws are fairly, equally, and efficiently adjudicated are promoted;
  • Elections and political processes, featuring a competitive public arena accessible to all significant political parties or actors, civil liberties that allow for meaningful public contestation, universal and equal access to the electoral process, and governed by formal rules that ensure integrity are strengthened;
  • The development of political parties as genuine organizations of people who have the same ideology, or who otherwise have the same policy positions, and who field candidates for elections, in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement their shared agenda is promoted;
  • Inclusive public participation in policy-making including through public consultation is enhanced;
  • Fundamental freedoms and human rights, including those of women and other marginalized groups, are protected; and
  • The capacity to investigate and prosecute financial and other crimes is developed.
• Objective 3: Enhance Responsive Governance: Responsive governance is present when government institutions and policies are accessible, accountable, and responsive to their constituents, especially disadvantaged groups, protect their interests, and provide diverse populations with equal opportunities for public services such as health, justice, education, etc. This activity seeks programmatic approaches and interventions that facilitate one or more the following outcomes:
  • A strong, active civil society, focused on local organizations that advocate reforms, participate in a policymaking, and perform watchdog functions to hold government accountable, is established;
  • Grassroots social accountability initiatives that promote collaboration between government and the people in the monitoring of policies and services, provision of feedback and the making of adjustments, if needed, to ensure responsiveness is strengthened;
  • Civic education is bolstered;
  • Participation of women and other disadvantaged groups in decision-making is increased;
  • People to people exchanges are expanded; and
  • Access to credible information through a thriving and independent media is increased.

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 not more than $20 million in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period.
• The anticipated period of performance is five (5) years. The estimated start date will be January 2021 or be upon issuance of the final award.

Geographic Coverage

• As previously stated, PROJECT Governance covers the 12 sovereign nations consisting of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
• These PICs are spread across the three sub-regions of Micronesia (North Pacific), Melanesia (Southwest Pacific), and Polynesia (Central and South Pacific). This activity, however, cannot provide direct assistance to the government of Nauru due to current legislation.

Eligibility Criteria

• USAID encourages applications from potential new partners. USAID will not accept applications from individuals.
• To be eligible for award of a Cooperative Agreement, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. Non-discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
• Types of entities eligible to apply for funding under this NOFO:
  • U.S. and Non-U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
    • U.S. and Non-U.S. Non-Profit Organizations
    • U.S. and non-U.S. private non-profit organizations may apply for funding under this NOFO.
    • U.S. and Non-U.S. For-Profit Organizations
    • U.S. and non-U.S. private for-profit organizations may apply for funding under this NOFO. Potential for-profit applicants should note that, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.400(g), a non-Federal entity may not earn or keep any profit resulting from Federal financial assistance. Furthermore, pursuant to 2 CFR 700.13(a)(1), Prohibition against profit: No funds will be paid as profit to any for-profit entity receiving or administering Federal financial assistance as a recipient or sub-recipient.
    • U.S. and Non-U.S. Colleges and Universities
    • U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities may apply for funding under this NOFO. NOFO is not intended to fund academic research.
  • Public International Organizations (PIOs).

For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=328793