Opportunity Information: Apply for USAID W OAA GRO LMA 11 022613
Apply for USAID W OAA GRO LMA 11 022613
- The Agency for International Development in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Facilitating the Free Flow of Information" 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 Jun 13, 2011 and posted on Jun 13, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 18, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $6,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $6,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
Facilitating the Free Flow of Information is a USAID-funded cooperative agreement opportunity focused on expanding Cuban citizens' access to uncensored information and independent ideas in an environment where the government restricts media distribution and internet access. The grant is designed to strengthen and scale the work of independent civil society groups (CSGs) and informal networks that already help fill the information gap by sharing non-state sources of news, analysis, and educational materials. A central theme is making it easier for people across the island to find, use, and discuss information that is not filtered through official channels, so they can make more informed decisions and think critically about local, national, and global events.
A major emphasis of the program is practical information dissemination inside Cuba using technologies that are realistically available there, rather than relying on broad internet access. The opportunity anticipates heavy use of portable and offline media such as USB drives, CDs, and DVDs that can hold large amounts of material and be easily shared person-to-person. It also supports caching selected websites for local research use, continued use of laptops as distribution platforms, and expanded use of social media as it becomes more common. While traditional print materials like books, newspapers, pamphlets, and magazines may be included, the stated priority is to use and introduce the most appropriate mix of traditional and newer technologies to reach communities effectively and safely.
Beyond distributing information produced outside Cuba, the program specifically calls for greater circulation of high-quality, locally produced Cuban content created by independent bloggers and journalists. The opportunity notes that a growing number of Cuban independent writers publish in international outlets, but their reporting and analysis rarely reaches ordinary Cubans. Independent CSG networks are seen as well positioned to function as distribution platforms for this locally generated content, increasing access to Cuban perspectives that are not widely available inside the country and helping those voices reach broader audiences.
The grant also supports activities that encourage the free exchange of ideas at the community level, not just passive consumption of materials. Proposed programming can include debates and discussion groups on issues of community concern, lectures and book discussions, presentations of plays and movies, youth and childrens events, and other cultural or civic activities that bring people together around learning and dialogue. The underlying goal is to stimulate demand-driven community engagement, strengthen social capital, and normalize spaces where people can explore different viewpoints and discuss sensitive topics more openly.
Capacity building is another core component. The opportunity expects applicants to provide training and technical assistance to strengthen the skills of key individuals within targeted CSGs and networks. That training can cover information collection and distribution, including user services (helping community members locate and use information) and technical services (cataloging, classifying, and preparing materials). It also anticipates training on introducing and expanding the use of social media and related tools for public information. In addition, leadership development is expected, with the intent to identify emerging leaders within these groups, strengthen their management and networking abilities, and improve long-term sustainability of the services offered.
The opportunity encourages collaboration among independent groups and networks where feasible, including sharing lessons learned, addressing common operational challenges, and potentially pooling resources to meet shared objectives. The expectation is that stronger coordination and peer exchange will help these organizations adapt to changing community needs and improve their collective ability to provide reliable access to independent information.
USAID outlines several expected results: independent CSGs and networks serve as effective platforms for distributing unfiltered information across Cuba; community members gain greater access to diverse content on topics such as democracy, human rights, and free markets; participating groups deliver innovative activities and services that foster independent and critical thinking and encourage open exchange of ideas; and a trained cadre of leaders emerges with stronger technical, networking, and leadership skills to meet community information needs over the long term.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning USAID expects ongoing engagement beyond a standard grant. Recipients retain overall responsibility for program execution, including managing subawards and subcontracts. Core responsibilities include financial and general program management, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and providing assistance to Cuban counterparts. Awardees must also coordinate, in consultation with USAID, with other related USAID grantees and with relevant U.S. and third-country NGOs working on Cuba. Within 60 days of award, recipients must finalize a life-of-project and annual workplan, a project-specific results framework, and a performance management plan (PMP) covering all program components, and then implement the technical assistance described in the award documents.
Key funding details: the opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USAID W OAA GRO LMA 11 022613, CFDA 98.001) was posted June 13, 2011, with a closing date of July 18, 2011. USAID estimated total funding at $6,000,000, expected to make 2 awards, with an award floor of $1,000,000 and a ceiling of $6,000,000. Cost sharing or matching was not required. Eligible applicants included 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education) as well as public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Agency for International Development, under its LAC/Office of Cuban Affairs programming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of the "Facilitating the Free Flow of Information" opportunity?
This USAID-funded cooperative agreement opportunity is intended to expand Cuban citizens' access to uncensored information and independent ideas in an environment where the government restricts media distribution and internet access. The program aims to make it easier for people across Cuba to find, use, and discuss information that is not filtered through official channels so they can make more informed decisions and think critically about local, national, and global events.
Who is the sponsoring agency for this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), under its LAC/Office of Cuban Affairs programming.
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism. This indicates USAID expects ongoing engagement beyond what is typical for a standard grant, while the recipient retains overall responsibility for program execution.
What kinds of organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants included 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (other than institutions of higher education), as well as public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USAID W OAA GRO LMA 11 022613, and the CFDA number is 98.001.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on June 13, 2011, and the closing date was July 18, 2011.
How much funding was USAID expecting to provide in total?
USAID estimated total funding at $6,000,000.
How many awards was USAID expecting to make?
USAID expected to make 2 awards.
What were the minimum and maximum award sizes?
The award floor was $1,000,000 and the award ceiling was $6,000,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching was not required for this opportunity.
What problem does the program aim to address inside Cuba?
The program is designed to address restrictions on media distribution and internet access by supporting practical ways for people to access diverse, independent content and exchange ideas outside official channels.
What is the main approach for information dissemination inside Cuba?
A major emphasis is on practical dissemination methods that work under Cuban constraints, using technologies that are realistically available there rather than assuming broad internet access.
What offline or portable media formats does the opportunity anticipate using?
The opportunity anticipates heavy use of portable and offline media such as USB drives, CDs, and DVDs that can store large amounts of material and be shared person-to-person.
Does the program support any internet-adjacent approaches even if broad internet access is limited?
Yes. It supports caching selected websites for local research use, continued use of laptops as distribution platforms, and expanded use of social media as it becomes more common.
Are print materials allowed under this program?
Traditional print materials such as books, newspapers, pamphlets, and magazines may be included, but the stated priority is to use and introduce the most appropriate mix of traditional and newer technologies to reach communities effectively and safely.
Is the program only about distributing content produced outside Cuba?
No. In addition to distributing information produced outside Cuba, the program specifically calls for greater circulation of high-quality, locally produced Cuban content created by independent bloggers and journalists.
Why does the opportunity emphasize locally produced Cuban content?
The opportunity notes that while more Cuban independent writers are publishing in international outlets, their reporting and analysis rarely reaches ordinary Cubans. Independent civil society group networks are seen as well positioned to distribute that locally generated content inside Cuba and help those voices reach broader audiences.
Who does the program aim to strengthen and scale?
The grant is designed to strengthen and scale the work of independent civil society groups (CSGs) and informal networks that already help fill the information gap by sharing non-state sources of news, analysis, and educational materials.
Does the program support community events and dialogue, or only media distribution?
It supports both. Beyond passive consumption of materials, the grant supports activities that encourage free exchange of ideas at the community level and help normalize spaces for learning and dialogue.
What are examples of community-level exchange activities mentioned in the opportunity?
Examples include debates and discussion groups on community issues, lectures and book discussions, presentations of plays and movies, youth and childrens events, and other cultural or civic activities focused on learning and dialogue.
What is the intended outcome of these community engagement activities?
The goal is to stimulate demand-driven community engagement, strengthen social capital, and normalize environments where people can explore different viewpoints and discuss sensitive topics more openly.
What capacity-building activities are expected?
The opportunity expects training and technical assistance to strengthen the skills of key individuals within targeted CSGs and networks. This includes training related to information collection and distribution, user services, technical services, social media tools, and leadership development.
What are "user services" in the context of this opportunity?
User services refer to helping community members locate and use information.
What are "technical services" in the context of this opportunity?
Technical services include cataloging, classifying, and preparing materials for use and distribution.
What does the opportunity say about leadership development?
Leadership development is expected to identify emerging leaders within participating groups, strengthen their management and networking abilities, and improve the long-term sustainability of services offered.
Does the opportunity encourage collaboration among independent groups?
Yes. It encourages collaboration among independent groups and networks where feasible, including sharing lessons learned, addressing common operational challenges, and potentially pooling resources to meet shared objectives.
How does USAID expect collaboration to help?
The opportunity suggests that stronger coordination and peer exchange can help organizations adapt to changing community needs and improve their collective ability to provide reliable access to independent information.
What are the expected results USAID outlines for this program?
Expected results include: independent CSGs and networks serving as effective platforms for distributing unfiltered information across Cuba; community members gaining greater access to diverse content on topics such as democracy, human rights, and free markets; participating groups delivering innovative activities and services that foster independent and critical thinking and encourage open exchange of ideas; and a trained cadre of leaders emerging with stronger technical, networking, and leadership skills to meet long-term community information needs.
What responsibilities does the awardee have under the cooperative agreement?
Recipients retain overall responsibility for program execution, including managing subawards and subcontracts. Core responsibilities include financial and general program management, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and providing assistance to Cuban counterparts.
Is coordination with other organizations required?
Yes. Awardees must coordinate, in consultation with USAID, with other related USAID grantees and with relevant U.S. and third-country NGOs working on Cuba.
Are there required planning deliverables after an award is made?
Yes. Within 60 days of award, recipients must finalize a life-of-project and annual workplan, a project-specific results framework, and a performance management plan (PMP) covering all program components, and then implement the technical assistance described in the award documents.
What does "discretionary funding opportunity" mean here?
The opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning the agency has discretion in making awards within the scope and intent of the funding opportunity, and it is not an entitlement program.
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Previous opportunity: Making Space Places for Youth Expression in Cuba
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