Deadline: 31-Oct-22
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement the Private Sector Led Growth, Resilience and Response Activity.
This Activity aims to support economic growth in North Macedonia driven by the private sector. The goals of this Activity are to increase micro, small, and medium enterprises’ (MSME) productivity; create demand driven professionals; improve access to finance for micro, small, and start-up firms and facilitate investments for MSMEs; strengthen existing public-private dialogue (PPD) mechanisms; and to improve North Macedonia’s regional economic integration. For this purpose, the implementing partner under this Activity will engage in resource partnership.
Objectives
- Objective 1. Increased productivity of MSMEs
- The Activity will cooperate with resource partners to introduce modern technologies/practices/tools (including digitalization, e-commerce); develop support programs for MSMEs interested in becoming FDI suppliers; improve the investment readiness of MSMEs (sales, marketing expansion, product development, management skills); and to create a demand driven workforce capable of implementing these interventions.
- Objective 2. Improved MSMEs financial management capacity to access finance
- The Activity will cooperate with resource partners to increase the use of the available commercial and alternative sources of financing. The technical assistance under this objective, in part, is closely related to the investment readiness support efforts in Objective 1.
- Objective 3. Strengthened public-private dialogue (PPD)
- The Activity will provide targeted support to MSMEs on advocacy and lobbying through the PPD platform that was established by the Economic Chamber of Commerce of North Macedonia, the MASIT-ICT Chamber of Commerce, Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia, and the Macedonian Chambers of Commerce, and supported by USAID.
- Objective 4. Improved regional economic integration
- Through a partnership with a local organization, the Activity will foster regional economic integration of North Macedonia’s private sector through innovative market-driven solutions. The work under this objective will address existing trade barriers and limitations and will aim to establish a conducive environment for regional trade. The efforts may include strengthened capacities of the institutions, bodies, and business support organizations to improve services and solve trade-related issues.
Funding Information
- USAID intends to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement award pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide $5,500,000 in total USAID funding.
- The anticipated period of performance is sixty (60) months. The estimated start date will be at or around December/January 2022.
Eligibility Criteria
- USAID is interested in working with organizations with the potential to successfully implement the project in North Macedonia to support local efforts to address the challenges. They are encouraging coalitions and partnerships, as well as applications that aim to leverage USAID resources with other funding sources. While strong coalitions and partnerships are encouraged, any assistance agreement awarded under this funding opportunity will be issued to a lead prime implementing partner.
- Local organizations, as defined below, are also eligible for the award.
- When determining if an entity is a “local organization” for the purposes of this RFA, USAID will consider:
- Whether the entity is legally organized under the laws of North Macedonia.
- Whether the entity has its principal place of business or operations in North Macedonia.
- Whether the entity is majority owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of North Macedonia.
- Whether the entity is managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of North Macedonia.
- Entities which do not meet the above-listed “local organization” criteria will be considered ineligible to participate in the further award process.
- While not an exhaustive list and provided for illustrative purposes only, the following types of non-U.S. organizations are encouraged to participate:
- Business associations and chambers
- Business support organizations
- Non-governmental organizations
- Private businesses
- Consulting companies
- Faith-based organizations
- Foundations
- Trade associations
- USAID also welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID but will not prefer one type of organization over another.
- Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal law.
- Please note that public/government organizations can contribute to this Activity, but are not able to apply for, or be party to, the award as either a prime or sub-awardee. Programs may not be partisan or political in nature. USAID will not accept applications from individuals. Public International Organizations are not eligible to apply for funding under this program as a prime applicant, and may not serve as a prime implementing partner.
- All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable law.
- To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all information as required in this NOFO and meet eligibility standards. It is the responsibility of the applicant to regularly check the website to ensure they have the latest information pertaining to this notice of funding opportunity and to ensure that the NOFO has been received from the internet in its entirety.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=343546