USAID Social Cohesion Activity in Sri Lanka

Deadline: 12-Dec-23

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Sri Lanka & Maldives Mission invites applications for cooperative agreement(s) from qualified entities to implement the Social Cohesion Activity.

USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives requires innovative solutions that advance the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy Development Objective (DO) 1: Effective Democratic Governance Strengthened, Intermediate Result (IR) 1.1: Responsiveness of Governance Institutions Improved, IR 1.2 More Informed and Active Public Participation, and IR 1.3: Rights and Tolerance Elevated.

Activity Objectives

• The prime objective of the Social Cohesion Activity is to strengthen Sri Lankan-led efforts to advance social cohesion and reconciliation by achieving one or more of the following interconnected and mutually reinforcing results:
  • IR.1. Strengthened structures and processes facilitating social cohesion, reconciliation, and respect for human rights;
  • IR.2. Reduced socio-economic disparities and exclusion of vulnerable communities;
  • IR.3. Enhanced community resilience.
• As a cross-cutting, learning objective, the Social Cohesion Activity seeks to improve activity strategy and tactical implementation through targeted and timely action-research and conflict analysis.
• Subject to agreement between the Recipient and USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives, this may include:
  • Ongoing context monitoring in potential geographical and thematic target areas and on key themes for wider understanding/learning. This includes potential and logical feedback loops to inform other lines of effort and vice versa.
  • Conduct major or rapid research and regular contextual analyses. The exact number and topics to be covered by each major or rapid research report will be determined in close consultation with USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Funding Information

• USAID intends to award one or more awards pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity.
• Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide approximately $17 Million in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period. Actual funding amounts are subject to availability of funds, as well as content, quality, and number of applications received, needs, and competing priorities.
• USAID intends to award one or more awards pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity of Three types:
  • Unrestricted Eligibility – Standard Cooperative Agreement
    • Amount: 14 Million – $17 Million
    • Duration: The period of performance is five (5) years. The estimated start date is on/about July 1, 2024.
  • Local Entities – Standard Cooperative Agreement(s)
    • Amount: $1 Million – $3 Million
    • Duration: The period of performance is up to five (5) years. The estimated start date is on/about July 1, 2024.
  • Local Entities- Fixed Amount Cooperative Agreement(s) (Renewal)
    • Amount: $200,000 – $3 Million. Subject to funding availability, successful ongoing implementation, and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to $2 Million in total USAID funding over a base period of three (3) years. If USAID elects to renew the award in accordance with the process detailed in this NOFO, the renewal period will be for two (2) years. If the award is renewed, USAID intends to provide up to $1 Million during the renewal period, subject to the availability of funds
    • Duration: The period of performance is up to five (5) years. The estimated start date is on/about July 1, 2024. The initial period of the award may not exceed three (3) years.

Project Implementation Principles

• The following principles will guide the Recipient in the implementation of the program:
  • Rapid, Flexible, Relevant Response: The volatility that is expected during the activity performance period will mean that opportunities for specific activities will likely develop on a relatively unpredictable basis.
  • Risk Management: The Recipient must be cognizant of the significant uncertainties and unanticipated potential outcomes that come with the implementation of social cohesion and reconciliation activities in Sri Lanka.
  • Focus on Sri Lankan Actors and Partnerships: Interventions within the Social Cohesion Activity should be driven by Sri Lankan stakeholders and defined and undertaken in collaboration with local civil society and private sector actors where possible.
  • Utilize People-to-People Reconciliation Approaches: The Social Cohesion Activity will contribute to Sri Lanka’s stability and resilience by working to heal social divisions. As communities reconciling differences and working together on shared interests are more likely to effectively lobby the government, the Social Cohesion Activity will work to assist communities to strengthen their own capacity to manage conflict, and demand commitment, accountability, and transparency from authorities.
  • Balance, Neutrality, and Non-Partisanship: For the Social Cohesion Activity to be able to operate in the current environment, activities will have to be designed and implemented with scrupulous adherence to these principles.
  • Contextual/Conflict Sensitivity: Interventions must also be designed and implemented with a thorough understanding of the conflictual, cultural, and political concerns of all stakeholders, and it will be important to understand that in some cases an intervention, while seemingly relevant and appropriate, may not be possible.  The Recipient should adhere to the principles of Do-No-Harm (DNH) to prevent harmful impact and generate positive interconnections among stakeholders and partners.
  • Accountability: The Recipient must recognize the importance of ensuring accountability in the implementation of the Social Cohesion Activity. Accountability requires that the roles and responsibilities of all institutional structures are clarified.
  • Effective Cross-fertilization and Collaboration: The Recipient will be expected to work closely with current USAID, donor bi/multilateral, and regional partners and projects, Sri Lankan social cohesion and reconciliation initiatives, and research organizations to learn of and take advantage of both positive and negative experiences, to establish programmatic links and synergies, and to share materials and expertise.
  • Gender: Given the role gender dynamics contribute to social cohesion and reconciliation, the Recipient will be expected to hold this as a central consideration during implementation. Despite improvements in Sri Lankan policy and law to promote gender equality, the lack of implementation has prevented significant positive change in practice. The distinct dynamics, vulnerabilities, and perspectives of women and girls will be considered as approaches are developed and evolve over the course of this activity.
  • Human Rights: Human rights are a fundamental aspect of any society and are essential for ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. When human rights are not protected, certain groups or individuals may be marginalized or excluded, which can lead to tension and division within a community. This can undermine social cohesion and meaningful reconciliation and make it difficult for individuals and groups to work together towards a shared goal.

Geographic Scope

• Sri Lanka’s ethnic, religious, and economic fault lines are national, regional, and local in nature covering a diverse range of geographies. Specific locations for the activity may be identified, prioritized, and proposed by the Recipient. The selection of geographic locations, if selected, will be refined in close consultation with USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives. Location identification will also be done to ensure complementarity by layering and sequencing efforts with current or future USAID activities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Unrestricted Eligibility – Standard Cooperative Agreement – 14 Million – $17 Million
  • Eligibility is not restricted. Qualified U.S. and non-US organizations may participate under this NOFO.
  • Public International Organizations (PIO), as defined by ADS 308, are eligible to submit an application. Any PIO that submits an application to this NOFO is agreeing to have all substantial involvement clauses included as special conditions in their final PIO cost-type agreement or otherwise ineligible for award.
  • 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.
  • USAID welcomes applications from entities that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
• Local Entities – Standard Cooperative Agreement(s) – $1 Million – $3 Million AND Local Entities- Fixed Amount Cooperative Agreement(s) (Renewal) – $200,000 – $3 Million
  • The following eligibility standards apply to the following types of awards:
    • Local Entities – Standard Cooperative Agreement(s) – $1 Million – $3 Million
    • Local Entities- Fixed Amount Cooperative Agreement(s) (Renewal) – $200,000 – $3 Million
      • Eligibility is restricted to local organizations. Only local organizations as defined below are eligible for an award.
      • 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 the recipient country;
        • has as its principal place of business or operations in the recipient country;
        • is
          • majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the recipient country; and
          • managed by a governing body the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the recipient country.
      • USAID welcomes applications from entities that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
      • 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.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.