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.Apply for 72038323RFA00001
- 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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FAQs - USAID Social Cohesion Activity (Sri Lanka and Maldives)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Social Cohesion Activity."
Who is issuing this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by USAID Colombo (Sri Lanka USAID-Colombo) under USAID/Sri Lanka and Maldives.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is 72038323RFA00001.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 98.001.
What type of funding instrument will USAID use?
Funding will be provided through a Cooperative Agreement mechanism.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically involves substantial engagement by USAID during implementation, such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, learning, and adaptive management.
What is the overall purpose of the Social Cohesion Activity?
The activity is 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 seeking implementers with innovative approaches that help communities and institutions manage social tensions, rebuild trust, and create more inclusive civic life.
How does this opportunity align with USAID strategy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives?
This opportunity aligns with the USAID Country Development and Cooperation Strategy under Development Objective 1: "Effective Democratic Governance Strengthened."
What results does the opportunity specifically target?
The opportunity targets three linked results:
- IR 1.1: Better responsiveness from governance institutions
- IR 1.2: A more informed and engaged public
- IR 1.3: Stronger protection and acceptance of rights and tolerance
Do applicants have to address all objectives, or can they focus on one?
At a minimum, applicants must propose interventions that address at least one of the three core objectives described in the opportunity.
What are the three core objectives that proposals can address?
The opportunity identifies three core objectives:
- Strengthen structures that facilitate social cohesion, reconciliation, and respect for human rights
- Reduce socio-economic disparities and the exclusion of vulnerable communities
- Enhance community resilience
What kinds of interventions fit under Objective 1 (social cohesion, reconciliation, and human rights)?
Examples noted include community-level mechanisms for dialogue, dispute resolution, and confidence-building across identity groups, as well as efforts to improve how local systems prevent and respond to discrimination and rights abuses.
What does Objective 2 mean by reducing socio-economic disparities and exclusion?
This objective signals interest in approaches that tackle inequities that can fuel grievances, marginalization, and mistrust, while improving access to opportunities, services, and civic voice for vulnerable or left-behind groups.
What kinds of interventions are implied under Objective 3 (community resilience)?
This objective emphasizes helping communities anticipate, withstand, and recover from social, political, or economic shocks. It also includes reinforcing local capacity to address conflict drivers such as misinformation, polarization, and other pressures that threaten cohesion.
How many award categories are available under this solicitation?
The solicitation offers three award categories with different eligibility rules and award sizes.
What is Category I, and who can apply?
Category I is open under unrestricted eligibility and will use a standard cooperative agreement.
What is the anticipated funding range for Category I?
The anticipated award amounts for Category I range from $14 million to $17 million.
What is Category II, and who can apply?
Category II is reserved for local entities and uses standard cooperative agreement(s). It is intended as an entry point for qualified Sri Lankan or Maldivian organizations or locally established entities that meet applicable USAID definitions and requirements.
What is the anticipated funding range for Category II?
The anticipated award amounts for Category II range from $1 million to $3 million.
What is Category III, and who can apply?
Category III is also for local entities but uses fixed amount cooperative agreement(s) and is described as a renewal category.
What is the anticipated funding range for Category III?
The anticipated award amounts for Category III range from $200,000 to $3 million.
What is a fixed amount cooperative agreement (as referenced in Category III)?
Fixed amount mechanisms typically pay against completion of defined milestones and deliverables. This can be useful for discrete, results-based activities.
What is the maximum award ceiling for the opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $17,000,000.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting (creation) date is September 26, 2023.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date provided is December 12, 2023.
Where should applicants look to confirm eligibility restrictions for each category?
Applicants are directed to review Section C of the solicitation for specific eligibility restrictions and to confirm which category they qualify for.
Where should applicants look for application and award submission requirements?
Applicants are directed to rely on the solicitation details, especially Section D on application and award information, to confirm required documentation, submission instructions, and how proposals will be evaluated.
What are the main thematic areas USAID wants implementers to address?
Based on the opportunity description, USAID is prioritizing work that strengthens democratic governance by improving institutional responsiveness, expanding public participation, and promoting rights and tolerance, with practical emphasis on managing social tensions, rebuilding trust, and supporting inclusive civic life.
Does the solicitation indicate how proposals will be evaluated?
The description states that applicants should consult the solicitation (particularly Section D) to understand what documentation is required and how proposals will be evaluated, but evaluation details are not provided in the summary text.
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