USAID/WBG Conflict Management & Mitigation Grant for People-to-People Programs

Potential partners include but are not necessarily limited to: private voluntary organizations, foundations, colleges and universities, civic groups, faith-based and community institutions, international organizations, private businesses and associations, regional organizations, philanthropic organizations, and advocacy groups. For-profit applicants should note that USAID policy prohibits the payment of fee/profit to the prime recipient under grants and cooperative agreements. Forgone profit does not qualify as cost-sharing or leveraging. USAID encourages applications from potential new partners.

I. Types and Nationalities of NGOs

1. U.S. and Non-U.S. Non-Profit Organizations
Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. private non-profit organizations may apply for USAID funding under this APS. Foreign government-owned parastatal organizations from countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible.

2. U.S. and Non-U.S. For-Profit Organizations
Potential for-profit applicants should note that, pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, the payment of fee/profit to the prime recipient under grants and cooperative agreements is prohibited. Forgone profit does not qualify as cost-sharing or leveraging. However, if a prime recipient has a (sub)-contract with a for-profit organization for the acquisition of goods or services (i.e., if a buyer-seller relationship is created), fee/profit for the (sub)-contractor is authorized.

3. U.S. and Non-U.S. Colleges and Universities
Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities may apply for funding under this APS. USG and USAID regulations generally treat colleges and universities as NGOs, rather than governmental organizations; hence, both public and private colleges and universities are eligible. Non-U.S. colleges and universities in countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible.

II. Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)
A local or indigenous PVO, which by definition is a non-U.S. PVO operating in the same foreign country in which it is organized, that is not already registered with USAID is eligible to receive funding. However, such organizations are encouraged to consider registration. In accordance with 2 CFR 203, U.S. PVO or an “International PVO”, which by definition is a non-U.S. PVO that performs development work in one or more countries other than the country in which it is domiciled, must be registered with USAID to be eligible to receive funding.

III. Public International Organizations (PIOs)
PIOs are eligible to apply for funding under this APS. Please see Automated Directives Series (ADS) 308 for USAID policy on defining PIOs.
http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/308.pdf

USAID encourages applications from partnerships or consortia directed by or including local organizations. In this context, partnerships are defined as a negotiated arrangement among organizations that provides for a substantive, collaborative role for each of the partners in the planning and implementation of the project. Applicants intending to represent a coalition of providers should be prepared to provide, if requested, a signed partnership agreement stating:

• An intent to commit or receive resources from the prospective partner(s) contingent upon receipt of funds;
• How the partnership arrangement advances the objectives of the program;
• Supporting documentation identifying the resources, experience, and expertise of the partner(s);
• Evidence that the partner(s) has been involved in the planning of the project; and
• Clarification of the role of the partner(s) in the implementation of the program, evaluation, and sustainability.

Potential partners include but are not necessarily limited to: private voluntary organizations, foundations, colleges and universities, civic groups, faith-based and community institutions, international organizations, private businesses and associations, regional organizations, philanthropic organizations, and advocacy groups. For-profit applicants should note that USAID policy prohibits the payment of fee/profit to the prime recipient under grants and cooperative agreements. Forgone profit does not qualify as cost-sharing or leveraging. USAID encourages applications from potential new partners.

I. Types and Nationalities of NGOs

1. U.S. and Non-U.S. Non-Profit Organizations
Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. private non-profit organizations may apply for USAID funding under this APS. Foreign government-owned parastatal organizations from countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible.

2. U.S. and Non-U.S. For-Profit Organizations
Potential for-profit applicants should note that, pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, the payment of fee/profit to the prime recipient under grants and cooperative agreements is prohibited. Forgone profit does not qualify as cost-sharing or leveraging. However, if a prime recipient has a (sub)-contract with a for-profit organization for the acquisition of goods or services (i.e., if a buyer-seller relationship is created), fee/profit for the (sub)-contractor is authorized.

3. U.S. and Non-U.S. Colleges and Universities
Qualified U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities may apply for funding under this APS. USG and USAID regulations generally treat colleges and universities as NGOs, rather than governmental organizations; hence, both public and private colleges and universities are eligible. Non-U.S. colleges and universities in countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible.

II. Private Voluntary Organization (PVO)
A local or indigenous PVO, which by definition is a non-U.S. PVO operating in the same foreign country in which it is organized, that is not already registered with USAID is eligible to receive funding. However, such organizations are encouraged to consider registration. In accordance with 2 CFR 203, U.S. PVO or an “International PVO”, which by definition is a non-U.S. PVO that performs development work in one or more countries other than the country in which it is domiciled, must be registered with USAID to be eligible to receive funding.

III. Public International Organizations (PIOs)
PIOs are eligible to apply for funding under this APS. Please see Automated Directives Series (ADS) 308 for USAID policy on defining PIOs.
http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/308.pdf

USAID encourages applications from partnerships or consortia directed by or including local organizations. In this context, partnerships are defined as a negotiated arrangement among organizations that provides for a substantive, collaborative role for each of the partners in the planning and implementation of the project. Applicants intending to represent a coalition of providers should be prepared to provide, if requested, a signed partnership agreement stating:

• An intent to commit or receive resources from the prospective partner(s) contingent upon receipt of funds;
• How the partnership arrangement advances the objectives of the program;
• Supporting documentation identifying the resources, experience, and expertise of the partner(s);
• Evidence that the partner(s) has been involved in the planning of the project; and
• Clarification of the role of the partner(s) in the implementation of the program, evaluation, and sustainability.

“People-to-people” programs are one approach among many to conflict mitigation. This solicitation is intended to fund conflict mitigation programs with a people-to-people approach, and to derive lessons learned and best practices for future people-to-people programming.
The theory of change of this CMM program states that if USAID supports civil society organizations and other institutions in promoting a culture of peace and mutual respect between Israelis and Palestinians at all levels, then there will be an expanded peace constituency that is more enduring in the face of shocks and setbacks. The reconciliation program needs to foster sentiment at all levels of society to bring about a peaceful settlement to the conflict, both at the political and social levels. Lessons learned will be incorporated into future programs and solicitations, and will inform DCHA/CMM’s research agenda for conflict management and mitigation. Applications under this solicitation will describe a people-to-people approach based on a context and conflict analysis that leads to a concrete project change hypothesis.

The objective of the FY 2014 USAID/WBG CMM Annual Program Statement (APS) is to make significant strides toward the overall goal of conflict mitigation, peace and reconciliation in the Middle East while contributing to USAID’s developmental objectives. USAID seeks programs that go beyond workshops and awareness-raising to producing more concrete and measurable results through the resolution of conflict by having participating groups working together to resolve issues of common concern. Studies have shown that when such common goals or shared problems are present, communication between groups moved in the direction of reducing conflict. Therefore, in addition to the people-to-people approach, USAID would like applicants to focus on issues of common interest to three categories of participants: 1) Israelis and Palestinians; 2) Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians; 3) Israeli Arab and Jewish citizens. Cross-border projects that bring together Israelis and Palestinians and activities that bring together Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians are strongly encouraged. Projects can include citizens of other Middle Eastern and North African countries, but primary beneficiaries should be Israelis and Palestinians residing in Israel and the West Bank. In other words, USAID seeks programs where participants engage in activities that will clearly benefit from the participation of another group in order to reach common goals or solve shared issues. Programs addressing issues in water, farming, tourism, health, technology, energy, and the environment are just a few examples of successful past programming. In addition USAID will encourage proposals that involve women, youth and/or the disabled and demonstrate understanding of their role in conflict mitigation. Proposals will be able to measure their effectiveness in reducing conflict and in changing perceptions and partners shall develop a monitoring system to effectively measure their results.