Opportunity Information: Apply for USAID RWANDA 696 09 003 RFA
Apply for USAID RWANDA 696 09 003 RFA
- The Rwanda USAID Kigali in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MCC Threshold Program Media Strengthening Project" 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 Jan 16, 2009 and posted on Dec 19, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 29, 2009 300 p.m. (Kigali Time). (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- This RFA seeks proposals from US, Rwandan and/or other non US NGOs and firms from around the world.
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Opportunity Summary:
The MCC Threshold Program Media Strengthening Project was a USAID/Rwanda-funded grant opportunity designed as a two-year initiative to help strengthen Rwanda's media sector. The project aimed to improve both the business sustainability and the professional standards of private media outlets by investing directly in the people who run and shape media organizations. A major emphasis was placed on building the capacity and practical skills of media owners, managers, editors, professional media associations, and individual journalists, with the broader goal of helping private media become more resilient, credible, and effective over time.
In addition to professional development and institutional support, the project also included a tangible expansion of local media infrastructure through the establishment of two independent community radio stations. Community radio was positioned as a way to broaden access to information, amplify local voices, and strengthen public participation at the community level, which aligns closely with governance and accountability outcomes.
This opportunity was framed as part of Rwanda's Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program, a program developed to address performance gaps in MCC's "Ruling Justly" indicators. Specifically, the media strengthening activity was linked to improvements in Political Rights, Civil Liberties, and Voice and Accountability. The project was not intended to operate in isolation; instead, it was expected to connect with and reinforce other Threshold Program activities occurring in parallel. Those related efforts included work to improve the impartiality, efficiency, and independence of the judiciary; support the implementation of Rwanda's legislative reform agenda; strengthen engagement between government and civil society in areas like policy formulation and development planning; and improve internal investigations functions within the Rwandan National Police. The overall concept was that a stronger, more professional media environment would complement reforms in justice, governance, and civil society participation by improving transparency, public dialogue, and the flow of reliable information.
From an administrative standpoint, the award was offered as a discretionary funding opportunity under a Cooperative Agreement, with a single expected award. The total estimated funding was $2,000,000, and the award ceiling was also $2,000,000, indicating the project was planned as one consolidated grant at that funding level. Cost sharing or matching was required. Eligibility was broadly open ("unrestricted") and sought proposals from U.S., Rwandan, and other non-U.S. NGOs and firms worldwide, allowing a wide range of implementers to compete, including organizations with technical media expertise, community radio experience, and governance programming backgrounds.
The opportunity was posted on December 19, 2008, with an application deadline of January 29, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Kigali time, and it was later archived on February 28, 2009. The program was to be implemented by USAID/Rwanda in partnership with the Government of Rwanda. For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact was Aster Kebede, Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at USAID Kigali.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the MCC Threshold Program Media Strengthening Project?
The MCC Threshold Program Media Strengthening Project was a USAID/Rwanda-funded grant opportunity designed as a two-year initiative to strengthen Rwanda's media sector. It focused on improving the business sustainability and professional standards of private media outlets by investing directly in the people who lead, manage, and produce media content.
Who funded and implemented the project?
The opportunity was funded through USAID/Rwanda and was to be implemented by USAID/Rwanda in partnership with the Government of Rwanda.
How long was the project period?
The project was designed as a two-year initiative.
What were the main goals of the project?
The project aimed to strengthen Rwanda's media sector by improving private media outlets' business sustainability and raising professional standards. The broader goal was to support a media environment that is more resilient, credible, and effective over time.
Who were the primary intended beneficiaries or target participants?
The project placed major emphasis on building capacity and practical skills for media owners, managers, editors, professional media associations, and individual journalists.
What kinds of support or activities were emphasized?
Based on the opportunity description, the project emphasized professional development and institutional support, along with hands-on capacity building to improve practical skills among media leaders and practitioners.
Did the project include any infrastructure or tangible media expansion?
Yes. The project included the establishment of two independent community radio stations as a way to expand local media infrastructure.
Why was community radio included in the project design?
Community radio was positioned as a way to broaden access to information, amplify local voices, and strengthen public participation at the community level. This was described as aligning with governance and accountability outcomes.
How did this opportunity connect to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program?
This media strengthening activity was framed as part of Rwanda's MCC Threshold Program, which was developed to address performance gaps in MCC "Ruling Justly" indicators.
Which governance indicators was the media strengthening activity linked to?
The activity was specifically linked to improvements in Political Rights, Civil Liberties, and Voice and Accountability.
Was the media project expected to operate independently, or as part of a broader reform package?
It was not intended to operate in isolation. It was expected to connect with and reinforce other Threshold Program activities happening in parallel.
What other Threshold Program activities were mentioned as related efforts?
Related efforts included work to improve the impartiality, efficiency, and independence of the judiciary; support implementation of Rwanda's legislative reform agenda; strengthen engagement between government and civil society in areas such as policy formulation and development planning; and improve internal investigations functions within the Rwandan National Police.
How was a stronger media environment expected to support governance and reform outcomes?
The opportunity description indicated that a stronger, more professional media environment would complement reforms in justice, governance, and civil society participation by improving transparency, public dialogue, and the flow of reliable information.
What type of award mechanism was used?
The award was offered as a discretionary funding opportunity under a Cooperative Agreement.
How many awards were expected?
A single award was expected.
What was the total estimated funding amount?
The total estimated funding was $2,000,000.
What was the award ceiling?
The award ceiling was $2,000,000, indicating the project was planned as one consolidated grant at that funding level.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as broadly open (unrestricted). Proposals were sought from U.S., Rwandan, and other non-U.S. NGOs and firms worldwide.
What types of organizations were this opportunity designed to attract?
The description indicated it allowed a wide range of implementers to compete, including organizations with technical media expertise, community radio experience, and governance programming backgrounds.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on December 19, 2008.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was January 29, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Kigali time.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was later archived on February 28, 2009.
Who was the listed contact for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listed contact was Aster Kebede, Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at USAID Kigali.
Which office administered the program?
The program was to be implemented by USAID/Rwanda.
What was the overall concept behind investing in people in the media sector?
The opportunity emphasized investing directly in the people who run and shape media organizations, with the intent of improving both the sustainability of media businesses and the quality and credibility of media practice over time.
How many community radio stations were included, and what was notable about them?
Two community radio stations were included, and they were described as independent community radio stations.
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