United Agency International Limited (USAID) Call for Applications for Solicitation for Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation Activities, Abuja

This program is authorized in accordance with Part I of the Foreign Assistance act of 1961, as amended.
Through this Addendum to the FY2014 Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation Programs and Activities (APS) No, APS-OAA-14-000003, USA1D/Peace and Democratic Governance office is making a special call for the submission of applications related to Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation.

United Agency International Limited (USAID)Call for Applications for Solicitation for Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation Activities

The objective of this APS is to make significant strides in the overall goal of conflict mitigation, peace, and reconciliation in selected eligible conflict-affected countries.
In addition, this APS seeks to contribute to USAID’s development objectives in an affected country or countries.
“People-to-people” programs are one approach among many to conflict prevention, mitigation and management. While a diversity of programs and approaches may be considered people-to- people in nature, most entail bringing together representatives of conflict-affected groups to interact purposefully in a safe space. This type of work can address divisions within a community that may be rooted in- group differences such as ethnicity or religion, status, class, or political affiliation. People-to-people projects generally address patterns of prejudice and demonizing that reinforce the perceived differences between groups and hinder the development of relationships among parties to a conflict. The aim is to create opportunities for a series of interactions between conflicting groups in the community or broader society to promote mutual understanding, trust, empathy, and resilient social ties.

This funding opportunity 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.

Unless otherwise specifically stated herein, all terms and conditions of the Conflict Mitigation and Reconciliation Programs and Activities APS FY14 apply (htt://www.grants.gov). The solicitation was posted 24th February, 2014.

Country Specific Language: Nigeria
USAID/Nigeria will give priority to applications involving partnerships between local and international organizations, taking into account sustainability considerations. These partnerships must include a deliberate effort to strengthen the capacity of specific local civil society organizations to effectively serve as agent of change in the field of peace, reconciliation and conflict mitigation. Merely proposing sub-awards to local organizations for the performance of specific tasks or aces without other dimensions of partnership is not adequate. Programs should focus on ensuring sustainability and must include significant community and/or local government buy-in and resources. Focus should be on a limited number of short- and medium-term interventions that are sequenced and build off of one another. Further, applications should clearly indicate the theories of change for how these interventions will mitigate long-term drivers of conflict and insecurity. Applicants are encouraged to ‘work with groups that address the prevalence of gender-based violence as it relates to conflict dynamics, and promote women and youth’s participation in proposed activities (youth may include street children, Almajiri students, child beggars, abandoned/orphaned children and those from broken homes).

In addition, applications must engage in one or more of the following areas:

• Promote linkages to existing mission activities, either thematically (Governance, Economic Growth, Health and Education) or geographically (North: Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto States; Middle Belt: Nasawara and Plateau States; South: Bayelsa, Delta, and River States).
• Target farmer and pastoral groups experiencing conflict or at risk for conflict. Activities may focus on dispute resolution or relationship/trust-building between intra-inter communal groups as it pertains to access to pastures, land demarcation, cattle corridors, “indigene-settler” status issues, ineffective governance, and/or limited or no access to basic public service delivery (e.g. primary education, healthcare, water and land resource management).

Local organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply for funding under this APS. A Local organization applicant must be locally recognized under the laws of Nigeria.
USAID/Nigeria is planning to host one to two bidders’ conferences on March 18th and 20^th, 2014 in Abuja. Interested applicants should check http://www.usaid.gov/nigeria/work-with-us/partinership-opportunities for details on the final dates, venue, and registration in early March 2014. Applicants interested in attending are requested to send their information to: Abujasolicitations@usaid.gov

• Name of Participants (no more than two persons per institution)
• NGO Registration Certificate
• Questions/Clarifications required

Please note:

• USAID will not accept applications from individuals.
• All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable law.