Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI 367 15 0002
Apply for RFI 367 15 0002
- The Nepal USAID Kathmandu 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 Mutual Accountability Project CSMAP" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 12, 2015 and posted on Mar 12, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 23, 2015 The submission and closing date for feedback and comments is 03/23/2015 Eastern Daylight Time, close of business. Please submit your feedback and comments to the following email address kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov Note This is not an Request for Application (RFA). This is a Request for Information (RFI), therefore please do not submit technical or cost application. Preparation and submittal of responses to this RFI will not be reimbursed by USAID/Nepal.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Civil Society Mutual Accountability Project (CSMAP) is a USAID/Nepal democracy and governance opportunity focused on making Nepali civil society and media more effective, credible, and durable in advancing the public interest. The central idea is to improve the overall environment in which civil society operates, while also helping organizations and media actors build practical skills to engage government constructively, advocate for sound policies, and push for better governance and public service delivery. In this project, "civil society" is defined broadly to include non-governmental media outlets as well as member-based organizations, associations, federations, and other not-for-profit organizations.
CSMAP is designed around strengthening how civil society and media contribute to accountability. It emphasizes collaboration and cross-sector initiatives that can monitor government performance, report on results, and demand improvements in the way public resources are used and services are delivered. The longer-term outcome USAID is aiming for is a civil society and media sector that is viewed as more legitimate and trusted, is better able to withstand political or institutional pressures, and can play a sustained role in shaping public debate and governance outcomes.
USAID lays out four interrelated and mutually reinforcing objectives. First, the project seeks to strengthen the enabling environment for civil society and media, which typically involves addressing legal, regulatory, policy, and practical barriers that restrict civic space, freedom of expression, association, or access to information. Second, it aims to improve civil society and media capacity for effective policy advocacy and engagement with government, meaning organizations are expected to become more strategic and evidence-driven in how they propose reforms, communicate with decision-makers, and build coalitions. Third, the project targets more coordinated and effective oversight by civil society and media over public resource use and service delivery, which can include watchdog activities, social accountability tools, public expenditure tracking, investigative reporting, citizen feedback mechanisms, and coordinated monitoring efforts across sectors and regions. Fourth, it focuses on strengthening the organizational capacity and sustainability of CSOs working in USAID priority sectors, signaling an emphasis not just on short-term activities but on building internal systems such as governance, financial management, compliance, leadership, program quality, and long-term viability.
In terms of the posting details, this notice (Funding Opportunity Number RFI 367-15-0002) is not a funding solicitation like a Request for Applications. It is a Request for Information (RFI), meaning USAID was seeking feedback, ideas, and comments from interested parties to help shape a future program design or procurement approach. Submissions were due by March 23, 2015 (Eastern Daylight Time, close of business) and were to be emailed to kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov. USAID also makes clear that it would not reimburse any costs associated with preparing an RFI response, which is standard for this kind of market research and program planning step.
The opportunity is listed as discretionary with an "Other" funding instrument type and categorized under Democracy and Governance, CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas). Cost sharing or matching is marked as required, although because this is an RFI rather than an application process, that requirement is best read as an early signal of what may be expected in a later competitive award. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open), and the issuing agency is USAID Kathmandu, Nepal. A grants specialist contact is provided (Ajaya Parajuli) for access issues or general assistance with the announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Civil Society Mutual Accountability Project (CSMAP) - USAID/Nepal
1) What is the Civil Society Mutual Accountability Project (CSMAP)?
CSMAP is a USAID/Nepal democracy and governance opportunity focused on making Nepali civil society and media more effective, credible, and durable in advancing the public interest. It is oriented toward improving the broader environment in which civil society operates, while also building practical skills for constructive engagement with government, policy advocacy, and stronger governance and public service delivery.
2) What does USAID mean by "civil society" in this opportunity?
In CSMAP, "civil society" is defined broadly. It includes non-governmental media outlets as well as member-based organizations, associations, federations, and other not-for-profit organizations.
3) What problem or need is CSMAP trying to address?
The project aims to strengthen how civil society and media contribute to accountability in Nepal. It emphasizes cross-sector collaboration to monitor government performance, report on results, and push for improvements in how public resources are used and how services are delivered. USAID also highlights a longer-term goal of increasing legitimacy and trust in civil society and media, and improving resilience to political or institutional pressures.
4) What are the main objectives of CSMAP?
USAID describes four interrelated and mutually reinforcing objectives:
- Strengthen the enabling environment for civil society and media (including legal, regulatory, policy, and practical barriers affecting civic space, freedom of expression and association, and access to information).
- Improve civil society and media capacity for effective policy advocacy and engagement with government (strategic, evidence-driven advocacy; communication with decision-makers; coalition building).
- Support more coordinated and effective oversight of public resource use and service delivery (watchdog efforts, social accountability tools, public expenditure tracking, investigative reporting, citizen feedback mechanisms, and coordinated monitoring).
- Strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability of CSOs in USAID priority sectors (internal systems such as governance, financial management, compliance, leadership, program quality, and long-term viability).
5) Is this posting an actual grant competition or open funding solicitation?
No. The notice is not a funding solicitation such as a Request for Applications. It is a Request for Information (RFI), meaning USAID was collecting feedback, ideas, and comments to help shape a future program design or procurement approach.
6) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFI 367-15-0002.
7) What is an RFI and what is it used for in this context?
An RFI is a market research and program planning step. In this case, USAID used it to gather input from interested parties to inform a future activity design or a later competitive process, rather than to make an immediate award.
8) When was the deadline to submit information to USAID for this RFI?
Submissions were due by March 23, 2015 (Eastern Daylight Time, close of business).
9) How were RFI submissions supposed to be sent?
Responses were to be emailed to kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov.
10) Does USAID reimburse costs to prepare or submit an RFI response?
No. USAID stated it would not reimburse any costs associated with preparing an RFI response.
11) What type of funding instrument is indicated for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed with an "Other" funding instrument type. It is also labeled as discretionary.
12) What program area does USAID place this opportunity under?
It is categorized under Democracy and Governance.
13) What CFDA number is associated with this notice?
The notice references CFDA 98.001, described as USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas.
14) Is cost sharing or matching required?
Cost sharing or matching is marked as required. Because this is an RFI rather than an application, this should be understood as an early signal of what could be expected in a later competitive award.
15) Who is eligible to respond, based on the notice?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open).
16) Which USAID office issued this opportunity?
The issuing agency is USAID Kathmandu, Nepal.
17) Who is the listed point of contact for access issues or general assistance?
A grants specialist contact is provided: Ajaya Parajuli.
18) What kinds of activities or approaches does CSMAP emphasize?
The project emphasizes collaboration and cross-sector initiatives that improve accountability. Examples mentioned include monitoring government performance, reporting on results, demanding improvements in public resource use and service delivery, watchdog activities, social accountability tools, public expenditure tracking, investigative reporting, citizen feedback mechanisms, and coordinated monitoring across sectors and regions.
19) What does "strengthening the enabling environment" refer to in CSMAP?
It refers to addressing barriers that restrict civic space and core freedoms and capabilities for civil society and media. USAID specifically mentions legal, regulatory, policy, and practical barriers that may affect freedom of expression, association, and access to information.
20) What does CSMAP mean by improving advocacy and engagement capacity?
It means civil society and media organizations becoming more strategic and evidence-driven in proposing reforms, communicating with decision-makers, and building coalitions to advance sound policies and better governance outcomes.
21) What is meant by "oversight" of public resources and service delivery?
Oversight refers to coordinated efforts by civil society and media to track, assess, and publicize how public resources are used and how services are delivered, and to press for improvements. The notice points to tools and methods such as public expenditure tracking, investigative reporting, citizen feedback mechanisms, and broader social accountability approaches.
22) What is the long-term outcome USAID is aiming for with this project?
USAID is aiming for a civil society and media sector that is viewed as more legitimate and trusted, is better able to withstand political or institutional pressures, and can play a sustained role in shaping public debate and governance outcomes.
23) Does this notice indicate that an award will definitely be made?
The notice is an RFI and is described as a step to collect input for future design or procurement decisions. It does not describe a current application process or guarantee a future award.
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