USAID Grant for Strengthening Community Dialogue in Western Kazakhstan

USAID will not accept applications from individuals. All applicants must be a legally recognized organizational entity under applicable law. The following types of organizations may apply for funding under this RFA:

1. Local NGOs

To be eligible for this program, Local NGO applicant must:
1. Be a local Non-Governmental Organization organized under the laws of the cooperating country or under the laws of a country in the region of the proposed activity;
2. Have its principal place of business in the cooperating country or region;
3. Be managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the cooperating country or region; and
4. Attach official documentation of their formal legal status as an NGO in the host country or in a country in the region.

2. Local For-Profit Organizations

Local private for-profit organizations may apply for funding under this RFA. Foreign government-owned parastatal organizations from countries that are ineligible for assistance under the FAA or related appropriations acts are ineligible. 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. 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.

In addition Local private for-profit organizations shall meet the following:

1. Be a local for-profit Organization organized under the laws of the cooperating country or under the laws of a country in the region of the proposed activity;
2. Have its principal place of business in the cooperating country or region;
3. Be managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the cooperating country or region; and
4. Attach official documentation of their formal legal status as in the host country or in a country in the region.

3. Local Colleges and Universities

Local colleges and universities may apply for funding under this RFA. 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.

In addition Local Colleges and Universities shall meet the following:

1. Be a Local Colleges and Universities organized under the laws of the cooperating country or under the laws of a country in the region of the proposed activity;
2. Have its principal place of business in the cooperating country or region;
3. Be managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the cooperating country or region; and
4. Attach official documentation of their formal legal status in the host country or in a country in the region.

The overall objective of this program is to strengthen dialogue among communities, local authorities and key private-sector stakeholders in oil-producing parts of Western Kazakhstan. Specifically, the Program will promote constructive dialogue among communities of Western Kazakhstan with local (city, rayon, and oblast) civil society organizations (CSOs), government officials, and private companies operating in this region.

Depending upon the availability of funding, USAID/CAR estimates a life of project budget of $290,000 for the 2 year life of this project.
Specifically, USAID CAR will provide assistance towards the following results:

Result 1: A platform for increased productive dialogue among communities, local CSOs, government authorities and private companies is established.

Result 2: Strengthened and developed capacities of local CSOs to advocate for constituents’ rights, identify and mitigate potential sources of conflict, and reduce vulnerability and social exclusion of disenfranchised (marginalized) groups in the identified communities.

Result 3: Local government officials possess the skills to seek and put to use contributions from civic groups, businesses, and citizens in decision-making processes.

Result 4: Increased volume and quality of community participation in designing, implementing and monitoring corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in target communities.