Request for Applications (RFA) No. NDF-001 at Usaid Nigeria Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement Program

Objective
Through this RFA, the USAID-funded Nigeria Civil Society Project, plans to award grants to CSOs in the Niger Delta region to strengthen their ability to influence the development and implementation of key democratic reforms and economic development in the Niger Delta region and the states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. The primary objective of the grant activities is to strengthen the capacity of CSOs in the Niger Delta region to advocate for inclusive economic reforms and equitable economic growth.

Background
The USAID Nigeria Civil Society Project is a five-year project financed by USAID, in partnership with Partnerships Initiative in the Niger Delta, and is being implemented through a contract with Chemonics International. The goal of the project is to strengthen good governance by increasing the capacity of civil society networks and coalitions to influence the development and implementation of key democratic reforms at local, state, and national levels that improve transparency, accountability, and good governance. The USAID Civil Society Project explicitly aims to engage marginalized populations, such as women, youth, and people with disabilities in the process and emphasizes leadership and innovation. This RFA falls under component 4 and will focus on supporting CSOs. The goal of the RFA is to identify eligible organizations in the Niger Delta region that will receive capacity building support to effectively carry out issue-based advocacy activities

Thematic Issues for This Request
Issues
Applicants should indicate how they propose to address one of the following broad issues:

• Niger Delta lnstitutiomarid their Resource Management
• Economic diversification
• Social Inclusion
• Peace and Conflict Prevention
• State and Local Government Accountability Systems

Sectors
Where possible, applications should situate the issues within one of the following sectors: Health, Education, Extractives, Agriculture, Water & Sanitation and Environment, and Land.

Cross-cutting integration/mainstreaming themes
All applications must clearly demonstrate how issues affecting the following groups are to be mainstreamed and integrated into their work: Women and Girls; People with Disabilities: Youth. Also, proposals should clearly show how they are integrating the following key themes into their thinking: Implications of the 2015 elections (pre, during, post) and Conflict.

Geographic Focus
The geographical focus for this call is Niger Delta region and the nine states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. Only organizations working in these states and region may apply,

Award Information
The duration of any grant award under this solicitation is expected to be up to two years in the first instance. The estimated start date of grants awarded under this solicitation is September 2014.

Eligible Recipients

• Applicants must be a registered Nigerian non-governmental entity. Unregistered Nigerian non-governmental entities will be considered if they can demonstrate a) they are in the registration process: or b) are able to meet registration requirements prior to the issuance of a formal grant agreement.
• Applicants must be based and operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which comprises of the above-mentioned nine states.
• Applicants must demonstrate how they have managed a similar program of at least 1 year in duration.
• Applicants must have an institutional mission that focuses on policy priorities outlined above.
• Applicants must have established demonstrated outreach capabilities within their identified focal.
• Applicants are required to complete the STARNET networking survey.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to work in a collaborative manner and build partnerships.
• Applicants must provide 3 professional references.
• Faith-based and community groups will receive equal opportunity for funding in accordance with the mandated guidelines. Except for faith-based organizations whose objectives are for discriminatory and religious purposes, and whose main objective of the grant is of a religious nature.
• Applicants must display Sound management in the form of financial, administrative and technical policies and procedures.

USAID Civil Society Project encourages applications from new organizations who meet the above eligibility criteria

Closing Date:
11th August, 2014

Application and Submission Information
For the full request for application, applicants should send a request to ndfrfa@nigeriasace.org , Completed applications should be submitted in electronic forms to the ndfrfa@nigariasace.org , address and should reference NDF/RFA/001 in the subject line.

Bidders Conference
USAID Civil society Project will hold a pre-application question and answer session on Friday the 18th of July 2014 at Port Harcourt, Rivers state, 09:00 am to 12:00 pm. This conference will allow eligible and interested applicants the chance to ask questions about the RFA. Interested parties that would like to attend this workshop must confirm their attendance by sending participant’s name and organization to ndfrfa@nigeriasace.org . Maximum of 2 representatives may attend from each organization. When confirming attendance, please indicate if the person has any special needs to access the conference. No reimbursement for costs of attendance will be met.