USAID/USFS Strategic Activities Fund (SAF) Grant for West African Environmental Development

Potential applicants, which are eligible to submit applications individually or in partnership with other institutions, may be local or international organizations including universities, non-governmental organizations (non-profit), and other educational institutions. Local organizations must be registered in Liberia or Ivory Coast. To be considered a local organization, the applicant must meet the relevant test for its type of organization below:

Not-for-profit entity:
1) Must be legally organized and recognized under the laws of, and have its principal place of business in Liberia or Ivory Coast;
2) Must be at least 51% beneficially controlled by individuals who are citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of Liberia or Ivory Coast, or by entities that are local partners under this paragraph or paragraph 3.4 (a); and
3) At least 51% of the entity’s senior staff (i.e. managerial and professional personnel) must be citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of Liberia or Ivory Coast.

In addition, international organizations must be legally registered under the laws of Liberia or Ivory Coast in order to hire local staff, manage a local office (if applicable), and implement activities on the ground. Partnerships are encouraged, especially those that draw upon various sources of expertise. Applicants must demonstrate an initial track record of success; must be open to not just replicating an existing model,but to refining the model so that it can be effectively adopted; and must be open to rigorous performance and impact evaluation.