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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Somali Youth Leaders Initiative (USAID)

1) What is the Somali Youth Leaders Initiative?

The Somali Youth Leaders Initiative was a USAID funding opportunity focused on improving community development and education outcomes for Somali youth. It emphasized building leadership, improving secondary education services, and strengthening pathways toward economic self-reliance and positive civic participation.

2) What were the main goals of the opportunity?

Based on the opportunity description, the initiative aimed to deliver tangible, measurable improvements for Somali youth in three connected areas: (1) fairer and more equitable secondary education services as perceived by youth and communities, (2) stronger systems and supports that increase youths ability to become economically self-reliant, and (3) greater positive and productive participation by youth in society, including leadership and constructive civic engagement.

3) Which USAID office issued this funding opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by USAID/East Africa through its Nairobi, Kenya office.

4) How does the initiative relate to the "USAID FORWARD" agenda?

The opportunity was framed within the broader "USAID FORWARD" reform agenda, which aimed to modernize how USAID operates. In this context, the initiative emphasized expanded partnerships, innovation, and a tighter focus on measurable development results, meaning applicants were expected to propose an approach that could demonstrate clear progress toward youth-centered outcomes.

5) What type of award mechanism was used?

This opportunity was offered as a discretionary award using a Cooperative Agreement.

6) What does it mean that this was a Cooperative Agreement?

A Cooperative Agreement typically indicates that USAID expected to be substantially involved during implementation. The description specifically suggests involvement such as collaboration on work planning, technical direction, monitoring, and learning.

7) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number was RFA 623 11 000008.

8) What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity fell under CFDA 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).

9) How many awards did USAID anticipate making?

USAID anticipated making one award.

10) What was the anticipated funding range?

The total anticipated funding range was between $16,000,000 and $18,000,000.

11) Was cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning the selected organization would be expected to contribute a portion of resources to the project.

12) What types of contributions could count toward cost share/match?

The description indicates that cost share could be provided in cash or allowable in-kind contributions, as defined in the full solicitation.

13) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity was open to a wide range of entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications included in the full announcement.

14) What were the three headline results expected by the end of the agreement?

The initiative laid out three headline results expected by the end of the agreement:

• Improved secondary education services for Somali youth that youth, community members, and education officials would perceive as more fair and equitable.
• Increased youth economic self-reliance, supported by systems that make employment, livelihoods, or entrepreneurship more achievable and sustainable.
• More positive and productive youth participation in society, reflecting a civic and social dimension such as leadership development and constructive engagement in community problem-solving.

15) What does "fair and equitable" secondary education services imply in this opportunity?

The opportunity language suggests the initiative was not only concerned with access or quality in general, but also with how services are delivered and governed in ways that are perceived as fair and equitable. This points to issues like trust, transparency, inclusion, and the perspectives of youth, communities, and education officials.

16) What does the opportunity mean by strengthening pathways to economic self-reliance?

The description suggests attention to both youth capabilities and the surrounding enabling environment. Examples referenced in the opportunity narrative include market-relevant skills, mentorship, linkages to employers, access to opportunities, and community or institutional supports that help young people transition into stable income generation through employment, livelihoods, or entrepreneurship.

17) What does "positive civic participation" mean in the context of this initiative?

In this opportunity, positive civic participation is described as helping youth participate in society in more positive and productive ways. The narrative implies elements like leadership development, constructive engagement in community problem-solving, and strengthening youths roles as contributors rather than being marginalized or excluded.

18) What was the posting date for the opportunity?

The posting date was June 24, 2011.

19) What was the application closing date?

The application closing date was July 27, 2011.

20) When was the announcement archived?

The announcement was later archived on August 26, 2011.

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

The listed contact was Marcelline Ochola, Regional Agreement Specialist.

22) What phone number was provided for the contact?

The phone number provided was 254208622462.

23) What did USAID emphasize about results and accountability in this initiative?

The initiative emphasized a results-oriented approach aligned with USAID FORWARD. The opportunity description highlights the expectation that the implementer would deliver tangible improvements on the ground and demonstrate clear progress toward specific youth-centered outcomes, rather than conducting activities without strong evidence of impact.

24) What does it mean that the award was described as "discretionary"?

The opportunity described the award as discretionary, meaning it was offered as a competitive funding opportunity under USAID’s assistance process, with USAID anticipating one award under a Cooperative Agreement.

25) Where was the issuing office located?

The issuing office referenced in the opportunity description was USAID/East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.