Secure, Empowered, Connected Communities (SECC) Program | Apply Online

SECC Program (USAID/East Africa) FAQs

1) What is the Secure, Empowered, Connected Communities (SECC) Program?

The Secure, Empowered, Connected Communities (SECC) Program is a USAID/East Africa grant opportunity focused on community-level work that strengthens local security, social cohesion, inclusion, and communication across targeted communities.

2) Which USAID office is issuing this opportunity?

The issuing agency is USAID in Nairobi, Kenya, under USAID East Africa.

3) What type of funding instrument is SECC using?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement.

4) What does it mean that this award is a cooperative agreement?

In a cooperative agreement, USAID typically expects an active role during implementation, including participation in program design, oversight, and collaboration. It is not described as a fully hands-off grant relationship.

5) What is the main purpose of the SECC Program?

The core purpose is to help targeted communities feel safer, become more connected to one another, and improve their ability to share information and coordinate around local priorities.

6) What outcomes does USAID expect by the end of the agreement?

USAID describes multiple expected end-of-agreement outcomes, including:

• A measurable, reported increase in citizens sense of security in targeted communities.
• A reported increase in self-esteem, belonging, and inclusion among community members.
• Increased women s empowerment in local governance and community leadership, including increasing both the number and percentage of women who participate substantively in community decision-making roles.
• Improved information exchange between communities about their visions, plans, actions, and projects in ways that increase security and reduce conflict or vulnerability.
• A decreased sense of isolation among community members.
• An increased number of communities able to broadcast information and/or send and receive information.
• Demonstrated coordination with other relevant organizations working in the same areas.

7) How does SECC define improvements in security?

SECC emphasizes a measurable, reported increase in the sense of security among citizens in targeted communities, reflecting community perceptions in addition to practical security concerns.

8) Does the program address social cohesion and psychological well-being?

Yes. USAID highlights social and psychological dimensions of stability, including reported increases in self-esteem, belonging, and inclusion.

9) How is women s empowerment reflected in the expected results?

Women s empowerment is an explicit priority. USAID expects an increase in both the number and percentage of women who participate substantively in community decision-making roles, meaning participation that influences outcomes rather than symbolic representation.

10) What does "substantive" participation in decision-making mean in this opportunity?

Substantive participation is described as participation that influences outcomes, as opposed to symbolic representation.

11) What does SECC mean by "connected communities"?

Connectivity is a central theme. USAID expects communities to exchange information about their visions, plans, actions, and projects in ways that help increase security and reduce conflict or vulnerability.

12) Is reducing isolation part of the program design?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly mentions decreasing the sense of isolation among community members as part of addressing the social impact of isolation.

13) What kinds of communication improvements does SECC aim to support?

SECC includes a practical communications component aimed at increasing the number of communities that can broadcast information and/or send and receive information. The description suggests support for communications channels, community media, information-sharing networks, or other tools that enable local voices to circulate and communities to coordinate more effectively.

14) Does USAID require coordination with other organizations?

Yes. Coordination is described as a formal deliverable. The implementer is expected to demonstrate coordination with other relevant organizations working in the same areas as the SECC Program.

15) Why is coordination emphasized in this opportunity?

The description points to a focus on avoiding duplication, linking efforts with existing actors, and aligning community-level initiatives with broader regional development and stability efforts.

16) What is the funding category and activity area for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under discretionary funding, with an activity area of regional development.

17) What is the funding range for the SECC award?

The award has a funding floor of 4,000,000 and a ceiling of 15,000,000.

18) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to a wide range of applicant types, subject to any additional eligibility details that may have been included in the full announcement.

20) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for SECC?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA 623 12 000003.

21) When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on June 7, 2012.

22) What was the application closing date?

The closing date was July 20, 2012.

23) When was this opportunity archived?

The archive date was August 19, 2012.

24) Who was the point of contact for access issues related to the full announcement?

The listed point of contact was Ketan Sood, Regional Agreement Officer Specialist.

25) What kinds of community-level changes is USAID looking to see reported?

Based on the expected outcomes described, USAID is looking for reported improvements in perceived security, self-esteem, belonging, inclusion, reduced isolation, increased substantive participation by women in decision-making, stronger inter-community information exchange to reduce conflict or vulnerability, and expanded community ability to broadcast and exchange information.