Opportunity Information: Apply for SOL 169 12 000004

  • The Hungary USAID Budapest in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Civil Society Forward in Serbia" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jun 29, 2012 and posted on Jun 29, 2012.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 4, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $7,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $7,000,000.00 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).
  • NGOs from Geographic Country Code 937
Apply for SOL 169 12 000004

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Opportunity Summary:

The USAID grant opportunity titled "Civil Society Forward in Serbia" (Funding Opportunity Number SOL-169-12-000004) was a discretionary funding call designed to support a multi-component, multi-year program aimed at strengthening and consolidating Serbia's civil society sector. The initiative was positioned as a continuation of USAID's long-standing democracy and governance assistance in Serbia, with a clear focus on building a stronger, more capable, and more sustainable ecosystem of civil society organizations (CSOs). USAID framed the program as a comprehensive effort that not only advances U.S. Government democratization objectives, but also contributes to broader development outcomes such as economic growth, recognizing that effective CSOs can influence and improve results across many sectors.

A central feature of the opportunity was its "next generation" approach, described as likely being USAID's final major multi-year civil society initiative in Serbia. This framing suggests an emphasis on long-term capacity, institutional resilience, and local ownership rather than short, isolated projects. The program explicitly aligned with the USAID Forward agenda, which at the time emphasized modernization of how USAID delivers assistance, including implementation and procurement reforms. In practical terms, that meant pushing more support directly to local actors and relevant government bodies, rather than relying primarily on large external implementers. The intent was to expand direct engagement with Serbian stakeholders, strengthening both non-governmental and governmental capacities where appropriate and relevant to democratic governance and civic participation.

The funding instrument planned for this opportunity was a Cooperative Agreement, which typically implies a higher level of involvement by USAID during implementation compared to a standard grant. USAID anticipated making a single award, with an estimated total funding amount of $7,000,000. The award ceiling was set at $7,000,000 and the award floor at $6,500,000, indicating that proposals were expected to be in a fairly narrow budget range, consistent with a large, flagship program. No cost sharing or matching requirement was listed, lowering the barrier for qualified applicants that might not have access to significant co-financing.

Eligibility was limited to NGOs associated with Geographic Country Code 937, as stated in the eligibility information. The opportunity was managed through USAID Budapest (Agency name listed as Hungary USAID Budapest), reflecting USAID's regional administrative structure at the time for Serbia-related programming. The announcement was posted on June 29, 2012, with an application deadline of August 4, 2012, and it was later archived on September 3, 2012. For applicants who had trouble accessing the announcement electronically, the listed point of contact was Mischere Kawas at the RSC/RCO in Budapest, with a provided phone number for assistance.

Overall, the opportunity was structured as a major, strategic investment in Serbia's civil society landscape, aiming to strengthen democratic governance and civic engagement while supporting broader national development objectives. Its emphasis on USAID Forward principles highlighted a shift toward more direct funding and partnership with local organizations and institutions, with the likely goal of leaving behind a more self-sustaining and locally led civil society sector after USAID's large-scale, multi-year civil society programming concluded.

FAQs: USAID "Civil Society Forward in Serbia" (SOL-169-12-000004)

What is the "Civil Society Forward in Serbia" opportunity?

"Civil Society Forward in Serbia" was a USAID discretionary funding opportunity designed to support a multi-component, multi-year program to strengthen and consolidate Serbia's civil society sector.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this call?

The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is SOL-169-12-000004.

What was the main purpose of the program?

The program aimed to build a stronger, more capable, and more sustainable ecosystem of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Serbia, as part of USAID's democracy and governance assistance.

How did USAID describe the approach of this program?

USAID described it as a "next generation" approach focused on long-term capacity, institutional resilience, and local ownership rather than short, isolated projects.

Why was it referred to as a "next generation" civil society initiative?

It was positioned as likely being USAID's final major multi-year civil society initiative in Serbia, suggesting an emphasis on sustainability and a lasting locally led civil society sector.

How does this opportunity connect to USAID's broader work in Serbia?

The initiative was framed as a continuation of USAID's long-standing democracy and governance assistance in Serbia, aligned with U.S. Government democratization objectives.

Did USAID connect civil society strengthening to broader development outcomes?

Yes. USAID indicated that effective CSOs can influence and improve results across many sectors and linked the effort to broader development outcomes such as economic growth.

What is USAID Forward and how was this opportunity aligned with it?

The program explicitly aligned with the USAID Forward agenda, which emphasized modernization of assistance delivery, including implementation and procurement reforms, and greater direct support to local actors and relevant government bodies.

What did "more direct engagement" mean in this opportunity?

In practical terms, it meant pushing more support directly to Serbian stakeholders (including local organizations and, where appropriate, relevant government bodies) instead of relying primarily on large external implementers.

What funding instrument was planned for this opportunity?

The planned instrument was a Cooperative Agreement.

What does it mean that the instrument was a Cooperative Agreement?

A Cooperative Agreement typically implies a higher level of involvement by USAID during implementation compared to a standard grant.

How many awards did USAID expect to make?

USAID anticipated making a single award.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $7,000,000.

What were the award ceiling and award floor?

The award ceiling was $7,000,000 and the award floor was $6,500,000.

What does the narrow range between the floor and ceiling suggest about expected budgets?

It suggests proposals were expected to be in a fairly narrow budget range consistent with a large, flagship multi-year program.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was listed.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to NGOs associated with Geographic Country Code 937.

Which USAID office managed this opportunity?

The opportunity was managed through USAID Budapest (Agency listed as Hungary USAID Budapest), reflecting USAID's regional administrative structure at the time for Serbia-related programming.

When was the opportunity posted?

The announcement was posted on June 29, 2012.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was August 4, 2012.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was later archived on September 3, 2012.

Who was the listed point of contact for access issues?

For applicants who had trouble accessing the announcement electronically, the listed point of contact was Mischere Kawas at the RSC/RCO in Budapest, with a phone number provided for assistance.

What kind of program structure did USAID envision?

USAID envisioned a multi-component, multi-year program structured as a major, strategic investment in Serbia's civil society landscape.

What was the intended long-term outcome of the initiative?

The intended outcome was a more self-sustaining and locally led civil society sector after the conclusion of USAID's large-scale, multi-year civil society programming in Serbia.

What thematic areas were emphasized in the opportunity description?

The description emphasized strengthening democratic governance and civic engagement, while also supporting broader national development objectives.

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