Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean Grant: Strengthening Media Literacy and Civic Engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean

This an Addendum entitled “Communities Resilient to Disinformation Building Local Engagement (CREDIBLE)” to USAID APS No. 7200AA20APS00007 YouthPower 2 (YP2). This is a call for concept notes, see (1) USAID No.7200AA20PS000007 Youth Power 2 – CREDIBLE Addendum, and (2) APS No.7200AA20APS00007 YP2 – CREDIBLE Addendum -Concept Note Template – Attachment 1 located in the “RELATED DOCUMENTS” tab for specific details.

This activity is authorized in accordance with Part 1 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

Through the Communities Resilient to Disinformation Building Local Engagement (CREDIBLE) addendum to the YouthPower 2 (YP2) Annual Program Statement (APS) No. 7200AA20APS00007, the Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean, Office of Regional Sustainable Development, Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Team (LAC/RSD/DRG) seeks to increase digital and media literacy among youth and other target populations, and rebuild the relationship between youth and local communities with local media to strengthen civic culture and inform political processes.

The CREDIBLE addendum seeks to explore innovative approaches to the growing influence of disinformation and erosion of democratic norms in Latin America and the Caribbean. LAC/RSD/DRG seeks concept notes that will focus on rebuilding trust in local information ecosystems, building digital and media literacy, and strengthening local media – with and through youth and youth-serving organizations. Using new media literacy tools and social norm change approaches with a local focus, CREDIBLE will work to “inoculate” communities against disinformation and promote fact-based discourse and political participation in target communities. LAC/RSD/DRG seeks approaches that have a learning focus, so that successful approaches can be scaled up, tested, and replicated in other contexts in the LAC region.  

Subject to the availability of funds, LAC/RSD/DRG anticipates supporting one new award of up to $5 million for a period of performance of five years.

USAID encourages applicants to become aware of the prohibitions associated with Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Section (a)(1)(B) and Section (b)(1) of the law. Effective August 13, 2020, 2 CFR 200.216 for U.S. organizations and the mandatory standard provision “Prohibition on Certain Telecommunication and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUGUST 2020)” for non-U.S. organizations prohibits the use of award funds, including direct and indirect costs, cost-share and program income, to procure covered telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment. Applicants should reference the USAID Section 889 Partner website for more information.

Unless otherwise stated herein, all terms and conditions of the YP2 APS apply (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=325906 ). 

The Youth Power 2 APS CREDIBLE Addendum is not a Request for Applications (RFA), rather it is a request for Concept Notes in response to this Addendum published under Youth Power 2 APS. Based on the submitted Concept Note(s) in response to this Addendum under the Youth Power 2 APS, USAID will determine whether to request a Full Application from an eligible organization.