Request for Concept Note for SCALE Innovation Fund (SIF) at the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE)

The Nigeria Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project is a five-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Palladium through a cooperative agreement with USAID. The goal of the project is to improve public accountability, transparency, and sustainable service delivery in Nigeria.

Applications invited for:

Title: Request for Concept Note for SCALE Innovation Fund (SIF) - Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Purpose of Funding Opportunity
Nigeria Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) (the "Project") is seeking to issue grants under the SCALE Innovation Fund (SIF) for innovative approaches that will promote citizen and government engagement towards creating a more accountable, transparent peaceful, and democratic Nigeria with more effective and efficient service delivery across the project’s priority sectors. The motivation of the SIF is to identify organizations with innovative initiatives and solutions for tackling the different complex governance issues in Nigeria, ranging from citizen participation to effective governance.

Applications are invited from all qualifying organizations, nationally and sub-nationally. Applications are to focus on innovative approaches that promote improved partnership and engagement with key stakeholders; and/or strengthen and improve public awareness and engagement in governance.

Innovations for the purpose of this funding opportunity are defined as: completely new ideas being currently tried and tested, and the application of existing ideas in a new, innovative way, or to a sector or field in which that idea has not yet been applied. Under this award, SCALE will support innovative projects or ideas that have the potential for expansion and replication.

Activities could include:

• Programming designed to resolve gaps/bottlenecks in the policy reform process from the perspective of partnership, engagement, or public awareness.
• Innovative approaches that increase civic partnership and engagement with key government stakeholders
• Innovations that strengthen public awareness, engagement, discourse, and support for issues that improve transparency, accountability, and good governance, as well as promote inclusive economic development, enabling environment, and a peaceful Nigeria.
• Support for scaling up/replication of good practices at the local level to shape national policy and have a broader national impact.
• Programming to improve the coordination and communication among the various actors involved in the proposed policy area
• Addressing gaps in data by conducting policy-relevant and timely research and analysis, including strengthening or expanding research currently under development
• Innovative approaches to monitoring the implementation of policies, preparing policy recommendations, and implementing advocacy campaigns.
• Activities to develop and disseminate policy recommendations based on citizens’ views and policy research to raise awareness and garner support from policymakers and other key actors, including the public. This could involve publishing research/information on citizens’ views, attending and organizing seminars, forums, or conferences.
• Conducting consultative process among CSOs, research institutions, political parties, parliaments, government officials, and other stakeholders.
• Innovative ideas that address issues of Peace and Security in Nigeria.
• Innovative approaches for expanding the civic space as we approach the 2023 elections
• Innovations that address issues of safeguarding and gender equality and social inclusion

Minimum Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for this subaward, applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• Must be a Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including Business Members Organizations (BMOs), Local Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) and Private for- Profit Organizations. Organizations new to USAID funding are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Must operate as an independent non-politically affiliated organization.
• Must be a registered legal entity in Nigeria, as applicable, at least one year prior to the submission.
• Must not be debarred, suspended, excluded or otherwise ineligible to receive US Federal funding.

Application Closing Date
5:30pm (WAT), 31st January, 2023.

Submission of Documents
Concept Notes should be submitted via email to: NGSCALE.Grants@thepalladiumgroup.com

Submission Formatting:

• Written in English and in 12-point Times New Roman font; maximum of 10 pages.
• Text in tables or charts may be 10-point Times New Roman font.
• Narratives should be prepared in Microsoft Word with print areas set to 8.5 x 11-inch, letter-sized paper, and one-inch margins, left justification, and a footer on each page including page numbers, date of submission, and applicant name.
• Spreadsheets should be prepared in Microsoft Excel with print areas set to 8.5 x 11-inch, letter-sized paper.
• Official (signed) documents, memoranda, and certifications may be submitted as Adobe PDF files; and
• All concept notes submitted should reference NOFO217787006 in the subject line.
• Faxed, and hard copy applications are not acceptable.

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