Deadline: 1-Mar-21
The United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement the “USAID Reducing Pollution” activity. The overall objective of this activity is to reduce environmental pollution in targeted areas through a collective impact approach. The specific purposes will be determined by the Recipient in consultation with USAID.
The Theory of Change for this activity is: IF USAID supports a collective impact approach to address targeted environmental pollution issues, this will result in policy change, policy implementation, and behavior change that contribute to reduced environmental pollution.
USAID expects the Recipient to support behavior change at a variety of societal levels in order to achieve environmental pollution outcomes through approaches such as, but not limited to:
- Local communities’ interactions with the natural environment and adoption of new environmental stewardship practices (e.g. reducing the open burning of waste; facilitating independent waste collectors’ collection of recyclable waste through sorting household waste; increased engagement with air pollution data and modifying mask use and outdoor exposure; engaging with schools and using media to implement social behavior change communication (SBCC) campaigns and influence households’ improved environmental decision-making);
- Social organizations and local enterprises’ leadership in efforts to address environmental pollution (e.g. social organizations and local environmental actors’ engagement in networks addressing localized pollution challenges; actors’ pursuit of independent financing to influence positive environmental change and pollution response, including improved access to credit and designing blended capital approaches to promote innovative solutions to pollution challenges; increased participation and influence in environmental policymaking);
- Policymakers and environmental authorities’ increased transparency and support of multistakeholder decision-making processes on environmental pollution challenges (e.g. improved data collection and public reporting on environmental pollution; increased collaboration with social organizations to address community-, provincial-, and nationallevel policies and the implementation of National Action Plans on environmental pollution; increased Rule of Law and governmental accountability on environmental pollution); and,
- Private sector actors improved engagement on environmental pollution (e.g. increased investment in technological solutions to address environmental pollution; improved accountability for pollution challenges that can be directly attributed to industries’ and private sector companies’ operations and use of natural resources; increased advocacy for social and environmental organizations’ value in decision-making fora on pollution; pursuit of profit-making approaches related to improved environmental quality).
There are typically five factors that determine an effective collective impact approach:
- Common Agenda: network actors must have a shared challenge, purpose, vision, and approach to solving the complex environmental pollution challenge.
- Shared measurement: network actors must have a shared measurement system to determine what success looks like, track and reflect on progress, and adapt based on new information.
- Mutually reinforcing activities: network actors must devise and implement actions that reinforce each other and contribute to achieving the common agenda.
- Continuous communication and stakeholder engagement: network actors must be in continuous communication to stay aware of each actor’s respective efforts, strengthen their relationships, coordinate, and make adjustments as needed.
- Backbone organization: network actors need to be supported by an organization that guides vision and strategy for stakeholders’ collective engagement, builds public will, advances policy, and mobilizes resources for implementation.
Funding Information
- USAID intends to provide up to $11,300,000 in total USAID funding.
- The period of performance anticipated herein is five years, starting from [actual date to be filled in at the time of award].
Eligibility Criteria
- While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400(g), it is USAID policy not to award profit to prime recipients and subrecipients under assistance instruments. However, while profit is not allowed for sub-awards, the prohibition does not apply when the recipient acquires goods and services in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 -326, “Procurement Standards.” Forgone profit does not qualify as cost-share.
- Each applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. The Agreement Officer (AO) may determine that a pre-award survey is required in accordance with ADS 303.3.9.1 to determine whether the applicant has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. Applicants who do not currently meet all USAID requirements for systems and controls may still be eligible under special award considerations and should not be discouraged from applying. USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. The prime recipient is encouraged to promote involvement of “underutilized” partners and local organizations in the implementation of this activity.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331032