Deadline: 20-Jun-22
The United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) – Mekong Leadership Program.
Focus Areas
- Climate Change: The Mekong region is one of the most vulnerable places on earth to the impacts of climate change, which compounds existing and projected threats. It impacts the region’s people, biodiversity and natural resources with cascading effects.
- Environment: Economic growth in the Mekong region is bringing more complex development challenges, including environmental degradation, especially as it relates to waste, air, and water quality, impacts of plastic pollution, and effects on public health.
- Biodiversity: The vast Greater Mekong region with its 200 million acres contain some of the most biologically diverse habitats in the world. Population growth, poor land-use planning and economic policies have led to deforestation and biodiversity loss across the Greater Mekong region.
- Gender: Addressing gender equality is a stated priority for all ASEAN Member States. Over the past decade, economic development, government measures, and the efforts of civil society have led to significant improvements in reproductive health, narrowing gender gaps in education and increasing women’s labor force participation.
Objectives
- Build the leadership capabilities of youth in Southeast Asia with focus themes of climate change, environment, and biodiversity within the Mekong sub-region countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Strengthen ties among Mekong sub-region countries, other ASEAN countries (plus TimorLeste), and the United States, and
- Nurture a community of leaders who work locally and across borders to address shared issues relating to the focus themes.
Funding Information
Subject to funding availability, USAID intends to provide up to $5,514,000 in total USAID funding, of which $750,000 is specifically made available to an American educational institution for technical advisory programs in Vietnam, either as prime recipient or subrecipient.
Outcomes
- At the individual level:
- Changes in knowledge, skills, and behaviors related to leadership and the focus themes
- At the cohort level
- Strengthened relationships among cohort members
- As change agents, youth leaders will intervene in their areas of influence (communities, universities, institutions, etc.). Outcomes related to their initiatives are difficult to predetermine but outcome areas may include:
- Application of evidence to influence policy dialogue or community / public discourse
- Increased citizen engagement in climate change, environment, or biodiversity issues
- Other outcomes as determined by youth leaders
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations eligible to apply under this NOFO includes non-profit or for-profit non-governmental organizations, inclusive of, foundations, colleges and universities, private businesses and associations and excludes public international organizations and governmental organizations.
- 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.”
- Each applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. 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=340203
