Deadline: 20-Jan-22
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Transparency and Accountability in the Extractive Sector (TRACES) program.
The goal of this four-year activity (Transparency and Accountability in the Extractive Sector) is to increase transparency and accountability mechanisms in the mining, oil, and gas sectors for better revenue management and distribution. The design of this activity is the result of an assessment of the current state of transparency in the extractive sector in Senegal, with a focus on the oil and gas sector, given its anticipated significance for the country’s economy.
The proposed activity will focus on promoting transparency and accountability in the extractive sector as key factors of better revenues management and distribution, and sustainable development outcomes. In line with the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR) and particularly the Financing Self-Reliance (FSR) and the New Partnership initiative (NPI), this activity aims at promoting extractive revenues management in an accountable, transparent and effective manner to support development priorities and community’s needs through increased CSO and media oversight and engagement.
The set of challenges and concerns that weaken transparency and an independent oversight group are listed as follow:
- Weak law and regulations enforcement particularly when it comes to distributing the proceeds from social and economic development funds generated by revenues from a percentage of sales of the minerals, oil and gas extracted.
- Absence of a publicly accessible metered system for tracking, documenting and reporting actual quantity of natural resources extracted.
- Lack of resources and expertise for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and media: the advocacy and influence role the CSOs and media could play is weakened by limited knowledge and poor understanding of how transparency can contribute to safeguarding their own interests.
- Deficiency in technical and financial capacity and systems: Senegal administration lacks infrastructure for producing an effective and appropriate information system that can provide user-centered information to the public in a timely, disaggregated, reliable, and relevant manner.
- Lack of information exchange and coordination framework between central government authorities and local actors; local and regional authorities are left uninformed. For example, the governors and mayors have limited power over decisions in the extractive sector, whereas their relationships with the technical units and private companies are purely functional, not hierarchical.
- Weak understanding of community rights by citizens, social and environmental requirements from the companies and the State.
- Insufficient autonomous and strong entities or mechanisms for oversight and transparency to make sure extraction revenues are wisely and effectively invested in projects that generate growth and produce benefits for communities.
- Risk of resource curse: Corruption is often a mix of poor governance and rising flows of extractives-based revenue in many developing countries.
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 $10,000,000.00 in total USAID funding over a four-year period.
Geographic Focus
It is anticipated that activities will focus at both central and local levels. Part of the key illustrative activities are policy reform and national advocacy driven. The recipient will spend time and effort working with key stakeholders, collaborating with experts and academics, and holding regular meetings with other counterparts and partners. Those types of activities will occur at the central level, particularly the capital city where most of these actors are located. However, knowing that mining and oil and gas exploitations are in the countryside, far from Dakar, specific activities will be conducted “in siti”. So, to address community rights and needs, and better approach local authorities and companies, localities or regions where extractive companies are operating will be targeted. The regions of Thies (Kayar, Diogo), Kedougou (Sabodala), St. Louis, Matam, and Fatick (Iles du Saloum) will be the zones of intervention of the program at the local level.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted.
- 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=336857
