Interethnic Integration in Education Project Macedonia | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Interethnic Integration in Education Project (IIEP) Macedonia?

IIEP Macedonia is a USAID/Macedonia grant opportunity intended to support the Government of Macedonia's Strategy Toward Integrated Education. The project focuses on reducing ethnic divisions in schools and strengthening social cohesion through education.

2) What is the overall purpose of this grant opportunity?

The purpose is to build awareness, skills, and institutional support for interethnic integration across Macedonia's primary and secondary schools, while also strengthening key education institutions so integration efforts can be sustained at the system level (not only through isolated school activities).

3) Who is the primary target audience for project activities?

The main audiences include students, teachers, school principals, and school board members. The project also engages education administration stakeholders.

4) Which government and education institutions are specifically intended to be strengthened?

The activity intends to strengthen Ministry of Education-related institutions, specifically the Bureau for Development of Education (BDE) and the State Education Inspectorate (SEI), so they can reinforce and sustain integration efforts.

5) What type of award was USAID planning to make under this opportunity?

USAID planned to release a Request for Applications (RFA) for a four-year cooperative agreement.

6) How many awards were expected to be made?

The notice indicated that one award was expected.

7) Who was eligible to apply as the prime applicant?

Eligible applicants were Macedonian indigenous organizations, with the expectation that a Macedonian indigenous organization would serve as the prime implementer.

8) Were partnerships encouraged, and how were they expected to work?

Yes. Because the work was described as broad and complex, applicants were encouraged to form partnerships. One organization would lead as the prime implementer, and other organizations could participate as subgrantees. The intent was to assemble a team with the right mix of outreach, training, technical support, and school improvement expertise to deliver results at scale.

9) What are the main components of the program?

The program is structured around four connected components that are designed to reinforce one another: (1) Community Outreach, (2) Capacity Building of school management and teachers, (3) Demonstration Schools, and (4) Provision of Incentives to Schools and Communities.

10) What is included in Component 1: Community Outreach?

Component 1 focuses on public-facing awareness building to explain why interethnic integration matters for Macedonia's long-term stability and for the country's aspirations related to European Union accession. It also supports broader public understanding of the government strategy and the principle that all children should have access to high-quality education regardless of background.

11) What is included in Component 2: Capacity Building of school management and teachers?

Component 2 concentrates on practical skills development for school leaders, boards, and teachers to help them operate effectively in multiethnic settings, prevent ethnic polarization within schools and communities, and foster an environment that supports integration in day-to-day school life.

12) What is included in Component 3: Demonstration Schools?

Component 3 provides more intensive and holistic support in a smaller number of selected schools that can function as models. These schools are intended to generate best practices and lessons learned that can be shared and adapted elsewhere.

13) What is included in Component 4: Provision of Incentives to Schools and Communities?

Component 4 uses school refurbishments and improvements to learning environments as a motivating incentive for participation in integration activities. The notice reflects USAID's experience that renovations can increase buy-in for reforms.

14) Does the project include support for students with disabilities?

Yes. The infrastructure support under Component 4 explicitly includes making schools accessible to students with disabilities, linking interethnic integration goals with inclusive design and improved learning conditions.

15) How does the project connect to broader national goals?

The outreach component specifically links interethnic integration to Macedonia's long-term stability and to aspirations related to European Union accession, while supporting the Government of Macedonia's Strategy Toward Integrated Education.

16) What was the anticipated total funding range for the award?

USAID anticipated total funding in the range of $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 over the life of the award.

17) What were the award ceiling and floor?

The award ceiling was $5,000,000 and the award floor was $4,000,000.

18) How long was the cooperative agreement expected to last?

The cooperative agreement was expected to run for four years.

19) When was the project expected to start?

The estimated start was around October 2011.

20) Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants needed to contribute a portion of resources (financial or allowable in-kind, as specified in the full RFA) alongside USAID funds.

21) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?

The notice was posted under Funding Opportunity Number RFA 165 11 000001.

22) What CFDA number and program category were referenced?

The notice categorized the opportunity as a discretionary education activity under CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).

23) Was there a bidders conference, and where was it held?

Yes. The notice referenced a bidders conference held at the US Embassy in Skopje.

24) Was registration required to attend the bidders conference?

Yes. Advance registration was required for security access.

25) What was the application closing time listed in the notice?

The notice listed an application closing time of September 2, 2011 at 1600 Skopje time, while also noting that the final deadline would be confirmed in the official RFA.

26) Why does the program emphasize both school-level work and institution-level support?

In addition to direct work with schools and school communities, the activity intends to strengthen BDE and SEI so integration efforts can be reinforced and sustained across the education system, rather than relying only on isolated initiatives in individual schools.

27) What kinds of expertise were implied as important for applicant teams?

The notice emphasized the need for a full mix of outreach, training, technical support, and school improvement expertise to deliver results at scale, which is why partnerships and subgrant arrangements were encouraged.