Integrated Youth Development Activity | 72066018RFA00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72066018RFA00001

USAID's Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is soliciting applications for a three-year cooperative agreement called the Integrated Youth Development Activity, designed to strengthen youth resilience to conflict and violence in eastern DRC. The total anticipated award amount is about $22.15 million, and USAID expects to make one award. The activity is framed as an integrated package that centers on expanding access to basic education while also giving young people practical opportunities to build and use skills that help them participate constructively in economic, social, and political life within their communities.

The funding is intentionally blended across several sectors to reflect the idea that education, livelihoods, health, and civic engagement reinforce each other in fragile and conflict-affected environments. Of the estimated budget, roughly $17 million is allocated to Basic Education, $2.8 million to Higher Education, $1 million to Economic Growth, $600,000 to Family Planning, and $750,000 to Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance. The DRG portion is specifically geared toward civic education, citizen participation, and public accountability, signaling that the program is not only about schooling or jobs, but also about helping youth engage peacefully and productively in community decision-making and local governance.

A notable feature of the opportunity is the potential addition of a household cash transfer component through a Global Development Alliance that USAID was negotiating with a third-party entity. If that partnership is finalized, the selected implementer would be required to coordinate closely with USAID and the third party on how beneficiaries are selected, and to support an external evaluation of the overall activity. This suggests USAID anticipates rigorous learning and accountability, and that the implementer should be prepared to work in a multi-partner structure where some program elements may be delivered through allied organizations.

Strategically, USAID positions this activity within its broader development and stabilization agenda for eastern DRC. It aligns with the USAID/DRC Country Development Cooperation Strategy and, in particular, Transition Objective 3, which focuses on strengthening the foundation for durable peace in the east. The opportunity also references USAID's Education Strategy, especially goals related to making workforce development more relevant and expanding equitable access to education in crisis and conflict settings. In addition, it is meant to operationalize the USAID Youth in Development Policy by mainstreaming youth considerations throughout the program and ensuring youth participation is not an afterthought but a core design principle.

The solicitation emphasizes alignment with the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy, which encourages donors to address conflict drivers identified at the community level. It also calls for coherence with Congolese government stabilization priorities, including the STAREC program, and complementarity with other international interventions supporting those national strategies. Finally, USAID underscores that gender equality is integral to the program, referencing the USAID Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy and the expectation that women and girls should be empowered to participate fully in and benefit from the activity's education, economic, health, and civic components.

Administratively, the opportunity (NOFO number 72066018RFA00001) was issued by USAID-Kinshasa as a discretionary funding opportunity under CFDA 98.001, using a cooperative agreement instrument, meaning USAID anticipates substantial engagement during implementation. The posting dates indicate it was created on October 19, 2017, with questions due November 1, 2017, and applications due January 4, 2018 at 1700 Kinshasa time. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with further clarification in the solicitation's eligibility section, implying that a range of qualified organizations could apply provided they meet the detailed requirements in the full notice.

• The Agency for International Development, Democratic Republic of the Congo USAID-Kinshasa in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Integrated Youth Development 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 Oct 19, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 04, 2018 Issuance Date October 19, 2017 Deadline for Questions November 1, 2017 Closing Date January 4, 2018 Closing Time 1700 Kinshasa Time. (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 $22,150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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