Evaluating and Learning from USAID EA Conflict Management Activities | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the grant opportunity called?

The opportunity is titled "Evaluating and Learning from USAID EA Conflict Management Activities."

Which U.S. government agency issued this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), specifically USAID in East Africa, based in Kenya.

What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The core purpose is evaluation and learning: systematically examining USAID-supported conflict management activities across East Africa to understand what worked, what did not, and what practical lessons should shape future programming.

What does "evaluation and learning" mean in this context?

Based on the description provided, it means reviewing a portfolio of conflict management activities supported by USAID and producing credible evidence and usable insights. The focus is on generating findings and lessons that can improve future conflict mitigation programming, rather than relying on assumptions or isolated success stories.

What geographic area does the opportunity focus on?

The work is framed around USAID conflict management activities across the East Africa region, with the issuing office based in Kenya.

How does this opportunity connect to USAID's broader goals?

It aligns with USAID's interest in preventing violent conflict and supporting stability by ensuring conflict mitigation investments are guided by evidence and practical insights.

What type of funding action is this?

It was released as a discretionary funding action, meaning it was competed at the agency's discretion rather than awarded through an entitlement or formula-based approach.

What award instrument was anticipated?

The intended award instrument was a cooperative agreement.

What does a "cooperative agreement" imply for how the project would be run?

A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial USAID involvement during implementation. The recipient would typically conduct day-to-day work, while USAID would remain actively involved in areas such as shaping evaluation priorities, facilitating access to relevant offices and partners, reviewing deliverables, and helping ensure findings are usable across missions and programs.

What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?

The activity category was listed as "Disaster Prevention and Relief."

Why would a conflict management evaluation be listed under "Disaster Prevention and Relief"?

As described, in USAID usage this category often includes conflict prevention, stabilization-related analysis, and efforts intended to reduce risks that could escalate into humanitarian emergencies.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation did not require cost sharing or matching.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as "unrestricted," meaning it was open to a wide range of applicant types, subject only to any additional clarifications that might have existed in the full announcement text.

What types of organizations are likely to pursue an opportunity like this?

Based on the description provided, these opportunities are often pursued by research organizations, monitoring and evaluation firms, universities, think tanks, or nonprofits with strong evaluation expertise and conflict sensitivity experience, especially those comfortable operating in complex environments and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

It was posted on October 24, 2013. The original closing date and the final closing date were both November 7, 2013. The archive date was December 7, 2013.

How long was the application window?

Based on the dates provided, the window ran from October 24, 2013 to November 7, 2013, indicating a short-fuse solicitation timeline.

What might a short submission window suggest?

The description suggests USAID may have been seeking to move quickly, potentially to align with internal planning cycles, upcoming strategy reviews, or to capture lessons while relevant information and personnel were still accessible.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number was RFI 623-13-00002.

Why does the opportunity number include "RFI" if it is a funding opportunity?

The description notes that while the label includes "RFI," the listing identifies it as a cooperative agreement funding opportunity, indicating a formal pathway for selecting an implementing partner rather than a purely informational request.

Which USAID office administered the opportunity?

The administering entity was USAID East Africa/USAID Kenya.

Who was the contact person for access issues with the announcement?

The contact provided for difficulties accessing the full announcement electronically was Ali Ali, Regional Acquisition and Assistance.

What contact phone number was provided?

The phone number provided was 254 20 8622451.

What kind of support was the contact intended to provide?

The contact was provided specifically for access issues related to obtaining the full announcement electronically, reflecting an accommodation for applicants who may have connectivity or document access limitations.

What kinds of results or deliverables would this opportunity likely produce?

Based on the summary provided, the expected end product would typically include findings and lessons learned that inform program design, improve effectiveness, and guide future conflict mitigation approaches across the region.

What is USAID ultimately trying to achieve through this evaluation and learning effort?

The opportunity is described as USAID East Africa's effort to professionalize and consolidate knowledge about its conflict management investments by commissioning structured evaluation and learning support, with the goal of improving future programming decisions and outcomes.