Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water (PURE-Water) Activity | Apply Online

PURE-Water (Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water) Activity - FAQs

What is the PURE-Water Activity?

The Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water (PURE-Water) Activity is a three-year USAID-funded initiative aimed at improving how water is used and managed in Armenia's Ararat Valley. A central focus is addressing unsustainable groundwater extraction while also improving overall water productivity, efficiency, and water quality.

What problem is PURE-Water trying to solve?

PURE-Water targets the challenge of unsustainable groundwater extraction in Armenia's Ararat Valley. The activity treats over-extraction not just as a technical issue, but as a combined governance, community engagement, and resource management problem that requires coordinated action among multiple stakeholders.

Where will the activity take place?

The activity is focused on Armenia's Ararat Valley.

How long is the activity planned to run?

The initiative is designed as a three-year activity.

Who is funding and issuing this opportunity?

This opportunity was released by USAID-ARM (USAID Armenia) and is USAID-funded.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA 111 16 000004.

What type of award is being offered?

The opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. This typically means USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation rather than a fully hands-off grant arrangement.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

The activity falls under the Natural Resources category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 98.001.

What is the main goal of PURE-Water?

The core goal is to raise overall water productivity and efficiency while improving water quality, and to achieve these outcomes in ways that create lasting, day-to-day behavior changes among water users and institutions.

How does PURE-Water approach groundwater over-extraction?

PURE-Water frames groundwater over-extraction as a challenge that blends governance, civil society engagement, and resource management. The approach emphasizes coordinated stakeholder action, structured engagement, and practical demonstrations to encourage changes in behavior and institutional practices.

What kind of strategy is PURE-Water designed around?

The activity is designed around an integrated water resources management approach paired with a governance and civil society strategy. In practice, this is expected to include policy-oriented work, stakeholder engagement, and behavior-change efforts supported by on-the-ground demonstrations.

What role do small-scale pilot projects play in the program design?

Small-scale pilot projects are a central tool in PURE-Water's design. They are intended to serve as real-world tests that demonstrate what works, build local buy-in, and generate evidence that can inform policy decisions and broader adoption of successful solutions.

Why does the opportunity emphasize stakeholder engagement?

The program concept assumes that direct and ongoing engagement among government entities, non-governmental organizations, and local community members increases the likelihood that solutions will be accepted, maintained, and eventually scaled to support long-term water sustainability.

What kinds of activities are expected under PURE-Water?

Based on the description, expected activities include policy-oriented support, structured engagement among key actors, behavior-change initiatives supported by practical demonstrations, and small-scale pilot projects that can be used to test, validate, and promote approaches to improved water efficiency, productivity, and quality.

How many awards did USAID anticipate making?

USAID anticipated making a single award.

What is the maximum funding amount available under this opportunity?

The award ceiling is $1,050,000, meaning proposals were expected to fit within that maximum budget amount.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on May 13, 2016, and had a closing date of July 13, 2016. It was also created on May 13, 2016.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The details indicate that further clarification was intended to be provided in the notice under an additional eligibility section.

What makes this opportunity different from a fully hands-off grant?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, the structure typically indicates USAID would have substantial involvement during implementation. This suggests closer collaboration between the awardee and USAID compared to arrangements where the funder remains more hands-off.

What outcomes is PURE-Water aiming to achieve in the Ararat Valley?

The opportunity aims to improve the efficiency and quality of water use while reducing groundwater stress. It also emphasizes shifting incentives and habits that contribute to excessive extraction, with the broader goal of building more sustainable and community-supported water management over time.

How is behavior change expected to be achieved?

The activity emphasizes practical, on-the-ground demonstrations and pilot projects, along with structured engagement among stakeholders and policy-oriented work. Together, these are meant to encourage durable changes in day-to-day behavior among water users and institutions.

Is the program only focused on technical fixes to groundwater use?

No. The opportunity explicitly frames unsustainable groundwater extraction as more than a technical problem, highlighting governance, participation, and coordinated resource management as essential parts of the solution.