Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 165 16 000006
Apply for RFA 165 16 000006
- The USAID-MAC in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Facilitating SME compliance and input into regulations" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 19, 2016 and posted on Apr 19, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 27, 2016. (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 $2,000,000.00 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).
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Facilitating SME compliance and input into regulations" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA 165 16 000006) is a USAID-MAC solicitation aimed at strengthening economic growth in Macedonia by reducing the burden that a complex and frequently changing regulatory environment places on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The central problem the opportunity is trying to address is that SMEs often struggle to keep up with shifting rules, unclear requirements, and what is described as an overly regulated business climate. These challenges can increase costs, create uncertainty, and distract businesses from investing, hiring, and expanding. The activity is designed to relieve that pressure by helping SMEs navigate regulations more effectively and by improving how SMEs engage with government during the rulemaking and policy development process.
The opportunity emphasizes two linked outcomes. First, it seeks to improve SME capacity to comply with existing regulations. In practical terms, this typically means strengthening businesses' ability to understand what rules apply to them, interpret compliance steps correctly, adopt internal processes that reduce compliance risks, and access guidance or tools that make day-to-day compliance less costly and less confusing. Second, it aims to help SMEs provide more effective input into policymaking. This suggests support for mechanisms that enable SMEs, business associations, or similar stakeholder groups to communicate their concerns and recommendations clearly, use evidence to demonstrate how specific rules affect operations, and participate in consultations or feedback channels in a way that policymakers can realistically incorporate.
From an administrative standpoint, this is categorized as an "Other" opportunity and will be funded through a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates an implementation model where the agency expects to have substantial involvement during the life of the award compared with a standard grant. The activity falls under the funding activity category of Business and Commerce. USAID-MAC anticipated making a single award, with an award ceiling of USD 2,000,000. The opportunity was created and posted on April 19, 2016, with an original and current closing date of May 27, 2016, indicating the submission window was fixed and not extended at the time the notice was posted.
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the note that applicants needed to consult the additional eligibility information in the full announcement for clarification. This typically means the competition may have been open to a range of non-traditional or non-governmental entities (for example, certain types of organizations, consortia, implementers, or potentially local organizations), but the exact boundaries would be defined in the complete solicitation. Overall, the grant is structured to support a coordinated effort to make regulatory compliance more manageable for SMEs across Macedonia while also improving the quality and influence of SME participation in regulatory and policy decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Facilitating SME compliance and input into regulations."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA 165 16 000006.
Who is the issuing agency for this solicitation?
The solicitation is issued by USAID-MAC (USAID Macedonia).
What is the main goal of the opportunity?
The central goal is to strengthen economic growth in Macedonia by reducing the burden that a complex and frequently changing regulatory environment places on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
What problem is this activity trying to address for SMEs?
It targets challenges SMEs face in keeping up with shifting rules, unclear requirements, and an overly regulated business climate. These issues can increase costs, create uncertainty, and divert attention from investing, hiring, and expanding.
What are the two primary outcomes emphasized by the opportunity?
The opportunity emphasizes two linked outcomes: (1) improving SME capacity to comply with existing regulations, and (2) helping SMEs provide more effective input into policymaking and the rulemaking process.
What does "improving SME capacity to comply with existing regulations" mean in practical terms?
Based on the description provided, it generally involves helping SMEs understand which rules apply to them, interpret compliance steps correctly, adopt internal processes that reduce compliance risks, and access guidance or tools that make compliance less costly and less confusing day to day.
How does the opportunity propose to improve SME input into regulations and policymaking?
It suggests supporting mechanisms that enable SMEs, business associations, or similar stakeholder groups to communicate concerns and recommendations clearly, use evidence to show how specific rules affect operations, and participate in consultations or feedback channels in ways policymakers can realistically incorporate.
What types of organizations might be involved in providing policy input under this activity?
The notice indicates involvement could include SMEs themselves and/or business associations or similar stakeholder groups that can represent SME perspectives during consultations and policy development.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The opportunity will be funded through a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates an implementation model where the agency expects to have substantial involvement during the life of the award, compared with a standard grant.
How is this opportunity categorized on the posting?
It is categorized as an "Other" opportunity.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Business and Commerce.
How many awards did USAID-MAC anticipate making?
USAID-MAC anticipated making a single award.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is USD 2,000,000.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was created and posted on April 19, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The original and current closing date listed is May 27, 2016.
Was the submission window extended?
Based on the information provided, the original closing date and the current closing date are the same (May 27, 2016), indicating the submission window was fixed and not extended at the time the notice was posted.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." Applicants were instructed to consult the additional eligibility information in the full announcement for clarification.
What does "Eligibility: Others" imply?
It typically suggests the competition may have been open to a range of non-traditional or non-governmental entities (for example, certain types of organizations, consortia, implementers, or potentially local organizations), but the exact boundaries would be defined in the complete solicitation.
What geographic area is this activity intended to support?
The activity is aimed at Macedonia, with a focus on SMEs operating within the country and their interaction with the local regulatory environment.
How does the opportunity connect regulatory compliance with economic growth?
The notice links heavy or unclear regulation to higher costs and uncertainty for SMEs, which can pull focus away from investment and expansion. By making compliance more manageable and improving SME participation in the regulatory process, the activity is intended to support a healthier environment for business growth and job creation.
What is the overall structure or approach of the grant as described?
Overall, it is structured to support a coordinated effort that both (1) makes regulatory compliance more manageable for SMEs across Macedonia and (2) improves the quality and influence of SME participation in regulatory and policy decisions.
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