Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 514 09 000005
Apply for RFA 514 09 000005
- The Colombia USAID Bogota in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MONTES DE MARIA Enhanced livelihoods Initiative" 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 Oct 21, 2009 and posted on Aug 31, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 13, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $32,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $32,000,000.00 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
USAID Colombia (Bogota) announced plans to fund a single, large five-year cooperative agreement called the Consolidation and Enhanced Livelihoods Initiative for Montes de Maria (CELI MM), with an expected total budget of about $32 million (award range roughly $30 million to $32 million) and a cost-sharing requirement. The opportunity was posted August 31, 2009 under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-514-09-000005, with the agency indicating it intended to release the formal Request for Applications around September 10, 2009. Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of organizations could apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full notice. The program sits under CFDA 98.001 (USAID foreign assistance).
At its core, CELI MM is meant to support the Government of Colombia (GOC) National Consolidation Plan in the Montes de Maria region and help move the area toward a stable end state: lasting peace and security, consistent delivery of public services by legitimate civilian institutions, a shift from illegal economies to licit livelihoods, and stronger citizen participation that pushes for transparent and accountable local governance. The program is closely tied to the GOC Returns Plan (Plan de Retornos), which lays out protocols and legally required conditions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their communities. The logic is that enabling safe, organized returns helps consolidate state presence, restore services, and rebuild local economies, all while strengthening community confidence in government institutions.
A major operational feature of CELI MM is support to the Montes de Maria Regional Coordination Center (MMRCC). USAID expects the implementing partner to provide technical assistance and logistical support to the MMRCC, which is described as a hub that coordinates the civilian presence of the Colombian state in the region by bringing multiple ministries, agencies, and public service entities together. Alongside this coordination support, the implementer would run social and economic development activities aimed at creating sustainable, legal income opportunities for conflict-affected populations.
Geographically, the initiative was expected to start in four municipalities prioritized under the National Consolidation Plan and the Returns Plan: Carmen de Bolivar and San Jacinto (Department of Bolivar) and San Onofre and Ovejas (Department of Sucre). At the same time, the design intentionally leaves room to adjust or expand the geographic focus within the broader Montes de Maria region based on consultations, evolving conditions, and available resources. USAID emphasizes that the implementer should coordinate closely with the MMRCC and consult extensively with civil society, local governments, and other actors, while avoiding duplication of consultative structures that already exist.
The program outlines several guiding principles that shape how activities should be designed and delivered. It calls for rolling assessments and ongoing adaptation as conditions change, and for creating a standing consultation mechanism linked to the MMRCC that includes government and non-government stakeholders. Leadership and implementation are expected to be based in the region itself, with Colombians and Colombian organizations leading or co-leading and serving as the public face of the effort. USAID also signals that its level of involvement and resource focus will track with the depth of GOC "whole of government" commitment in targeted areas. Flexibility and rapid-response capacity are highlighted as essential given the volatility of post-conflict environments, and applicants are expected to build deep regional expertise across multiple technical areas and maintain the capacity to scale geographically and technically if opportunities emerge.
On the livelihoods side, the approach is explicitly market-oriented and sustainability-focused. Income-generating activities are expected to be demand-driven, built around strong market linkages, and designed for commercial viability beyond the life of the award. Medium- and long-term interventions must include plans for continued technical assistance where appropriate and demonstrate how livelihoods will remain sustainable after donor support ends. A strong emphasis is placed on rural economic development, especially small and medium-sized rural enterprises, small farms, and agribusinesses, with a preference for activities that are competitive, labor intensive, and environmentally and economically sustainable. The opportunity also stresses connecting beneficiaries to broader Colombian economic networks, including value chains, clusters, processors, and exporters in other productive regions, so that Montes de Maria producers are not isolated and can access stable buyers and growth pathways.
The activity mix is intended to balance quick, visible results with longer-term institution and capacity building. USAID expects early, short-term interventions that address urgent social and economic needs and signal government presence while communities recover from conflict impacts. In parallel, the implementer should launch medium- and longer-term efforts characterized by accompaniment and hands-on technical assistance, rather than one-off inputs. Another central expectation is organizational strengthening: the program should develop and reinforce Colombian public and private institutions, build linkages between them, and leave behind local entities with the technical and administrative capacity to eventually assume implementation responsibilities.
Finally, CELI MM includes an important services, infrastructure, and protection dimension. Beyond livelihoods, the program anticipates support that helps communities access basic services and specialized services for diverse conflict-affected groups, including IDPs, demobilized individuals, victims, former child soldiers, Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and women heads of household. Improvements related to infrastructure and citizen security are also identified as key components, reflecting the broader consolidation objective of making returns viable and normalizing state service delivery in historically conflict-affected municipalities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the CELI MM opportunity?
The Consolidation and Enhanced Livelihoods Initiative for Montes de Maria (CELI MM) is a planned five-year USAID/Colombia cooperative agreement intended to support stabilization and recovery in the Montes de Maria region. The initiative is designed to help move targeted areas toward a stable end state that includes lasting peace and security, reliable public services delivered by legitimate civilian institutions, a transition from illegal economies to legal livelihoods, and stronger citizen participation that promotes transparent and accountable local governance.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is USAID Colombia, based in Bogota.
What type of award is being planned?
USAID indicated it planned to fund a single, large cooperative agreement with a five-year period of performance. A cooperative agreement generally implies substantial involvement by the government during implementation compared to a standard grant.
How many awards does USAID expect to make under this opportunity?
USAID announced plans to fund a single award.
What is the expected total budget and award size?
The expected total budget is approximately $32 million. The anticipated award range is roughly $30 million to $32 million.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The announcement specifies a cost-sharing requirement. Details on the amount, allowability, and documentation would typically be clarified in the full Request for Applications (RFA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-514-09-000005.
When was the opportunity posted, and when was the formal RFA expected?
The opportunity was posted on August 31, 2009. USAID indicated it intended to release the formal Request for Applications around September 10, 2009.
What CFDA number applies to this opportunity?
The opportunity sits under CFDA 98.001 (USAID foreign assistance).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of organizations could apply, subject to any additional eligibility details or clarifications that might be included in the full notice.
What is the main goal of CELI MM?
The core purpose is to support the Government of Colombia (GOC) National Consolidation Plan in Montes de Maria and help create conditions for sustainable peace, security, effective state presence, functioning civilian institutions, improved services, and viable legal livelihoods.
How does CELI MM relate to the Government of Colombia National Consolidation Plan?
CELI MM is explicitly framed as support to the GOC National Consolidation Plan in Montes de Maria. USAID also signaled that its involvement and resource focus would track with the depth of GOC "whole of government" commitment in targeted areas.
How does CELI MM relate to the Returns Plan (Plan de Retornos)?
The initiative is closely tied to the GOC Returns Plan, which establishes protocols and legally required conditions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their communities. The program logic emphasizes that enabling safe, organized returns can help consolidate state presence, restore services, rebuild local economies, and strengthen community confidence in government institutions.
What role does the Montes de Maria Regional Coordination Center (MMRCC) play?
A major operational feature is support to the MMRCC. USAID expects the implementing partner to provide technical assistance and logistical support to the MMRCC, described as a hub that coordinates the civilian presence of the Colombian state in the region by bringing together ministries, agencies, and public service entities.
What kinds of activities would the implementing partner carry out?
In addition to supporting coordination through the MMRCC, the implementer would run social and economic development activities aimed at creating sustainable, legal income opportunities for conflict-affected populations. The program also anticipates work related to services access, infrastructure, protection, and citizen security as part of broader consolidation objectives.
Where will CELI MM operate?
The initiative was expected to start in four municipalities prioritized under the National Consolidation Plan and the Returns Plan: Carmen de Bolivar and San Jacinto (Department of Bolivar), and San Onofre and Ovejas (Department of Sucre).
Can the geographic focus change during implementation?
Yes. The design intentionally leaves room to adjust or expand the geographic focus within the broader Montes de Maria region based on consultations, evolving conditions, and available resources.
What is USAID expecting regarding coordination and consultation?
USAID emphasizes close coordination with the MMRCC and extensive consultation with civil society, local governments, and other actors. At the same time, implementers are expected to avoid duplicating consultative structures that already exist.
What does "rolling assessments" and "ongoing adaptation" mean in this context?
The opportunity calls for activities to be informed by continual assessment and to adapt as conditions change. This reflects the volatile nature of post-conflict environments and the need to adjust programming based on evolving security, governance, and economic realities.
Is there an expectation for a formal consultation mechanism?
Yes. The program calls for creating a standing consultation mechanism linked to the MMRCC that includes both government and non-government stakeholders.
Where should program leadership and implementation be based?
Leadership and implementation are expected to be based in the region itself.
What is expected regarding Colombian leadership and visibility?
The opportunity states that Colombians and Colombian organizations are expected to lead or co-lead and serve as the public face of the effort.
Why does the opportunity emphasize flexibility and rapid-response capacity?
USAID highlights flexibility and rapid-response capacity as essential because post-conflict environments can shift quickly. Applicants are expected to demonstrate the ability to adapt program approaches and scale activities if new needs or opportunities emerge.
What technical capacity is USAID looking for in an implementer?
Applicants are expected to build deep regional expertise across multiple technical areas and maintain the capacity to scale geographically and technically within Montes de Maria if conditions and resources allow.
What is the livelihoods approach under CELI MM?
The livelihoods strategy is explicitly market-oriented and sustainability-focused. Income-generating activities are expected to be demand-driven, built around strong market linkages, and designed for commercial viability beyond the life of the award.
What does "demand-driven" and "market linkages" mean for proposed livelihoods activities?
It means proposed income-generating activities should respond to real market demand (buyers, processors, or end markets) and should connect producers and enterprises to functioning commercial relationships, rather than relying on one-time inputs without a viable path to sales and growth.
What types of rural economic activities are emphasized?
The opportunity emphasizes rural economic development, especially small and medium-sized rural enterprises, small farms, and agribusinesses. USAID notes a preference for activities that are competitive, labor intensive, and environmentally and economically sustainable.
How should the program connect Montes de Maria producers to broader markets?
The opportunity stresses linking beneficiaries to broader Colombian economic networks, including value chains, clusters, processors, and exporters in other productive regions, so producers are not isolated and can access stable buyers and longer-term growth pathways.
How should activities balance quick results and long-term impact?
The activity mix is intended to balance quick, visible results with longer-term institution and capacity building. USAID expects early interventions that address urgent social and economic needs and signal government presence, alongside medium- and long-term efforts involving accompaniment and hands-on technical assistance rather than one-off inputs.
What does "accompaniment" imply for implementation?
Based on the description, accompaniment implies sustained, practical, hands-on support over time (for example, ongoing technical assistance), rather than isolated trainings or one-time distributions.
How important is institutional strengthening in CELI MM?
Institutional strengthening is a central expectation. The program is intended to develop and reinforce Colombian public and private institutions, build linkages between them, and leave behind local entities with the technical and administrative capacity to eventually assume implementation responsibilities.
What populations are expected to benefit from services and protection-related activities?
The opportunity anticipates support to improve access to basic and specialized services for diverse conflict-affected groups, including IDPs, demobilized individuals, victims, former child soldiers, Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and women heads of household.
Does the opportunity include infrastructure and citizen security components?
Yes. Improvements related to infrastructure and citizen security are identified as key components, reflecting the consolidation objective of making returns viable and normalizing state service delivery in historically conflict-affected municipalities.
What is meant by moving from illegal economies to licit livelihoods?
In this context, it refers to supporting conflict-affected communities to transition away from illicit or illegal income sources by developing sustainable, market-based legal economic opportunities.
What is the intended long-term "stable end state" for the region?
The stable end state described includes lasting peace and security; consistent delivery of public services by legitimate civilian institutions; a shift from illegal economies to licit livelihoods; and stronger citizen participation that advances transparent and accountable local governance.
How should applicants treat existing local consultation structures?
Applicants are expected to coordinate closely and consult widely, while avoiding duplication of consultative structures that already exist in the region.
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