Social Cohesion Activity | 72038323RFA00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72038323RFA00001

The Social Cohesion Activity is a USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives funding opportunity designed to support programs that strengthen democratic governance by improving how institutions respond to citizens, expanding informed and active public participation, and elevating rights and tolerance. In practical terms, USAID is looking for implementers that can bring forward innovative approaches that help communities and institutions manage social tensions, rebuild trust, and create more inclusive civic life. The opportunity aligns with the USAID Country Development and Cooperation Strategy under Development Objective 1, "Effective Democratic Governance Strengthened," and specifically targets three linked results: better responsiveness from governance institutions (IR 1.1), a more informed and engaged public (IR 1.2), and stronger protection and acceptance of rights and tolerance (IR 1.3).

At a minimum, applicants must propose interventions that address at least one of three core objectives. The first objective focuses on strengthening structures that facilitate social cohesion, reconciliation, and respect for human rights, which could include community-level mechanisms for dialogue, dispute resolution, confidence-building across identity groups, or efforts that improve how local systems prevent and respond to discrimination and rights abuses. The second objective aims to reduce socio-economic disparities and the exclusion of vulnerable communities, signaling interest in approaches that tackle inequities that often fuel grievances, marginalization, and mistrust, while improving access to opportunities, services, and civic voice for groups that are left behind. The third objective centers on enhanced community resilience, meaning USAID is seeking work that helps communities anticipate, withstand, and recover from social, political, or economic shocks, and that reinforces local capacity to address conflict drivers, misinformation, polarization, and other pressures that threaten cohesion.

Funding will be provided through cooperative agreements, which typically involve substantial engagement by USAID during implementation (for example, collaboration on planning, monitoring, learning, and adaptive management). The solicitation offers three award categories with different eligibility rules and award sizes, and applicants are directed to review Section C of the solicitation for specific eligibility restrictions. Category I is open under unrestricted eligibility and will use a standard cooperative agreement, with anticipated award amounts ranging from $14 million to $17 million, making it the largest track for broader competition. Category II is reserved for local entities and uses standard cooperative agreement(s), with award amounts ranging from $1 million to $3 million, creating an entry point for qualified Sri Lankan or Maldivian organizations or locally established entities that meet USAID definitions and requirements. Category III is also for local entities but uses fixed amount cooperative agreement(s) and is described as a renewal category, with awards ranging from $200,000 to $3 million; fixed amount mechanisms typically pay against completion of defined milestones and deliverables, which can be useful for discrete, results-based activities.

Administratively, the opportunity is issued by USAID Colombo (Sri Lanka USAID-Colombo). The funding opportunity title is "Social Cohesion Activity" and the opportunity number is 72038323RFA00001. It is listed under CFDA 98.001 and uses "Cooperative Agreement" as the funding instrument type. The original closing date provided is December 12, 2023, and the award ceiling is $17,000,000. The posting (creation) date is September 26, 2023. Applicants would need to rely on the solicitation details (especially Section C on eligibility and Section D on application and award information) to confirm which category they qualify for, what documentation is required, and how proposals will be evaluated.

• The Sri Lanka USAID-Colombo in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Social Cohesion Activity" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $17,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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