Opportunity Information: Apply for USAID UGANDA 617 PRESOLICITATION 01 2012
Apply for USAID UGANDA 617 PRESOLICITATION 01 2012
- The Uganda USAID Kampala in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tourism for Biodiversty Program" 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 13, 2012 and posted on Jan 13, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 27, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 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:
USAIDs Tourism for Biodiversity Program is a competitive, discretionary funding opportunity designed to help the Government of Uganda (GoU) expand ecotourism in ways that directly reduce threats to biodiversity while also supporting long term economic growth. The program is explicitly tied to USAID/Ugandas 2011 to 2015 Country Development Cooperation Strategy, specifically Intermediate Result 1.3, which focuses on mitigating natural resource base degradation to protect future value. In practical terms, the grant is meant to use tourism not just as a source of revenue, but as a conservation tool that improves management of protected areas, strengthens tourism markets, and creates stronger incentives for communities to protect wildlife and habitats rather than rely on land uses that increase environmental pressure.
Geographically, the program is structured around Ugandan priority landscapes for ecotourism development, based on consultations with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and the National Forestry Authority (NFA). While acknowledging that much donor conservation support has historically concentrated on Albertine Rift protected areas (especially great ape destinations), this program aims to apply lessons learned from the Albertine Rift and from comparable work in East and Southern Africa to other biologically rich areas of the country. The primary focal sites named are Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and the Budongo and Kalinzu Forest Reserves, with the option to work in selected Albertine Rift ecosystems on a case by case basis. A key design feature is multi stakeholder collaboration, including civil society groups such as the Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA) and private sector bodies such as the Uganda Tourist Association (UTA), with the expectation that tighter coordination between government agencies, communities, and tourism businesses will improve both conservation outcomes and local incomes.
The opportunity is organized around three main results. The first result targets stronger capacity to manage Ugandas biodiversity by improving how UWA and NFA manage biological resources and operate tourism systems within protected areas and reserves. Activities under this result include improving visitor experience and product quality through practical site investments like signage, interpretive materials, and improved tracks; strengthening revenue capture by modernizing entrance and concession fee collection and improving the ability to negotiate effectively with private operators; supporting better overall protected area management through implementation of management plans and addressing key threats; and exploring innovative approaches to reduce human wildlife conflict. Illustrative examples include building negotiation skills around fee structures, deploying technology for fee collection, improving the delivery and oversight of concessions, diversifying tourism offerings (such as the example of a canopy walk in Kalinzu), and targeted technical assistance that makes conservation agencies more effective and financially sustainable.
The second result focuses on improving Ugandas capacity to market ecotourism by upgrading both the tourism experience itself and the promotion of nature based tourism, particularly in niche segments like primate viewing, birding, and hiking. Planned efforts include supporting UWA and NFA to work with the private sector to develop standards and codes of conduct for operators, with an emphasis on certification and professionalization of guiding and access to protected areas. The program also seeks opportunities for co investment with the private sector to improve service provision inside protected areas and supports implementation of the GoUs inter institutional strategy to promote Ugandas unique biodiversity as a tourism asset. On the marketing side, a concrete activity mentioned is support to the Uganda Tourism Board to establish a web portal and expand tourism marketing reach.
The third result is community centered and aims to increase the benefits that communities living in and near protected areas receive from biodiversity conservation. The program description makes a clear link between ecological realities and local livelihoods: many protected areas are not large enough to sustain wide ranging species without dispersal areas and corridors, and when migratory routes and dispersal lands are converted to incompatible uses, wildlife populations decline and human wildlife conflict rises (including crop damage, livestock loss, and risks to human safety). The program therefore emphasizes community based natural resource management (CBNRM) in areas adjacent to protected areas where wildlife movement creates conflict with agriculture or grazing. The core strategy is to create win win economic alternatives by linking interested communities with private sector tourism opportunities in dispersal zones and corridors, building community capacity to negotiate fair partnership agreements, and supporting community run ecotourism oriented businesses. Beyond income generation, communities would also be supported to monitor wildlife and address threats to movement and survival on community managed lands. The program anticipates focusing on locations with strong potential for wildlife viewing outside protected areas, community interest in reducing conflict through alternative livelihoods, and credible private sector interest, with examples including areas adjacent to Kidepo and Lake Mburo. Illustrative activities include identifying private sector partners for community tourism partnerships and helping communities implement conflict reduction strategies through diversified economic opportunities and alternative crops.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, this was issued as a USAID Uganda presolicitation under Funding Opportunity Number USAID-UGANDA-617-PRESOLICITATION-01-2012, with assistance awarded through a Cooperative Agreement. The activity category is Environment, with one expected award. The estimated total funding is USD 10,000,000, with an award ceiling of USD 10,000,000 and a floor of USD 8,500,000, and cost sharing or matching is required. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications in the full announcement. Key dates listed include a posted and creation date of January 13, 2012, and a closing date of January 27, 2012 (with archiving on January 31, 2012). Questions or comments were directed to KampalaUSAIDSolicita@usaid.gov, and a phone contact was provided for access issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USAID's Tourism for Biodiversity Program (Uganda)
1. What is the USAID Tourism for Biodiversity Program?
It is a competitive, discretionary USAID/Uganda funding opportunity intended to help the Government of Uganda expand ecotourism in ways that directly reduce threats to biodiversity while also supporting long-term economic growth. The grant frames tourism as a conservation tool, not only a revenue source.
2. What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The program is designed to strengthen conservation outcomes by improving protected area management, strengthening tourism markets, and creating stronger incentives for communities to protect wildlife and habitats rather than rely on land uses that increase environmental pressure.
3. How is this opportunity connected to USAID/Uganda strategy?
The program is explicitly tied to USAID/Uganda's 2011-2015 Country Development Cooperation Strategy, specifically Intermediate Result 1.3, which focuses on mitigating natural resource base degradation to protect future value.
4. Is this a grant, contract, or another funding instrument?
Assistance is expected to be awarded through a Cooperative Agreement.
5. What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this presolicitation?
The presolicitation was issued under Funding Opportunity Number USAID-UGANDA-617-PRESOLICITATION-01-2012.
6. How many awards does USAID expect to make under this opportunity?
The opportunity states that one award is expected.
7. What is the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total program funding is USD 10,000,000.
8. What are the award ceiling and floor?
The award ceiling is USD 10,000,000 and the award floor is USD 8,500,000.
9. Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is required.
10. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications in the full announcement.
11. What sector or activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The activity category is Environment.
12. Where in Uganda is the program expected to operate?
The program is structured around Ugandan priority landscapes for ecotourism development identified through consultations with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
13. What are the primary focal sites named in the opportunity?
The primary focal sites named are Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and the Budongo and Kalinzu Forest Reserves.
14. Will the program work in the Albertine Rift?
Yes, potentially. While the program aims to apply lessons beyond the Albertine Rift, it includes the option to work in selected Albertine Rift ecosystems on a case-by-case basis.
15. Why does the program emphasize areas beyond traditional donor focus?
The opportunity notes that much donor conservation support has historically concentrated on Albertine Rift protected areas (especially great ape destinations). This program aims to apply lessons learned from those areas and from comparable work in East and Southern Africa to other biologically rich regions in Uganda.
16. What is the program's approach to collaboration?
A core design feature is multi-stakeholder collaboration among government agencies, communities, civil society, and the private sector, with the expectation that tighter coordination will improve conservation outcomes and local incomes.
17. Which stakeholder organizations are mentioned?
The opportunity specifically mentions civil society groups such as the Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA) and private sector bodies such as the Uganda Tourist Association (UTA), alongside government entities including UWA and NFA.
18. What are the three main results the program is organized around?
The opportunity is organized around: (1) stronger capacity to manage Uganda's biodiversity through improved management of biological resources and tourism systems in protected areas and reserves; (2) improved capacity to market ecotourism and strengthen nature-based tourism promotion; and (3) increased community benefits from biodiversity conservation through community-centered approaches.
19. What does Result 1 focus on?
Result 1 targets stronger capacity to manage Uganda's biodiversity by improving how UWA and NFA manage biological resources and operate tourism systems within protected areas and forest reserves.
20. What kinds of activities are included under Result 1?
Illustrative activities include improving visitor experience and product quality through site investments (such as signage, interpretive materials, and improved tracks), strengthening revenue capture by modernizing entrance and concession fee collection, improving negotiation effectiveness with private operators, supporting implementation of management plans, addressing key threats, and exploring innovative approaches to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
21. Does the opportunity mention upgrading fee collection systems?
Yes. It includes modernizing entrance and concession fee collection, including deploying technology for fee collection, and improving agencies' ability to negotiate with private operators.
22. Does the program address concessions and relationships with private operators?
Yes. The opportunity references improving the delivery and oversight of concessions and strengthening negotiation skills around fee structures with private operators.
23. Are there examples of tourism product diversification?
Yes. An illustrative example mentioned is diversifying tourism offerings, such as a canopy walk in Kalinzu.
24. What does Result 2 focus on?
Result 2 focuses on improving Uganda's capacity to market ecotourism by upgrading the tourism experience and strengthening promotion of nature-based tourism, particularly in niche segments like primate viewing, birding, and hiking.
25. Does the program include work on standards or codes of conduct for tourism operators?
Yes. It includes support for UWA and NFA to work with the private sector to develop standards and codes of conduct for operators, with an emphasis on certification and professionalization of guiding and access to protected areas.
26. Does the program encourage private sector co-investment?
Yes. The opportunity describes seeking opportunities for co-investment with the private sector to improve service provision inside protected areas.
27. What marketing-specific support is mentioned?
The opportunity mentions support to the Uganda Tourism Board to establish a web portal and expand tourism marketing reach.
28. What does Result 3 focus on?
Result 3 is community-centered and aims to increase the benefits that communities living in and near protected areas receive from biodiversity conservation.
29. How does the opportunity describe the link between wildlife conservation and local livelihoods?
It notes that many protected areas are not large enough for wide-ranging species without dispersal areas and corridors. When these areas are converted to incompatible uses, wildlife declines and human-wildlife conflict can rise, including crop damage, livestock loss, and risks to human safety.
30. What approach does the program propose for communities near protected areas?
The program emphasizes community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in areas adjacent to protected areas where wildlife movement creates conflict with agriculture or grazing.
31. What community-oriented tourism activities are included?
Illustrative activities include linking interested communities with private sector tourism opportunities in dispersal zones and corridors, building community capacity to negotiate fair partnership agreements, supporting community-run ecotourism-oriented businesses, and supporting communities to monitor wildlife and address threats on community-managed lands.
32. What criteria does the opportunity suggest for selecting community focus locations?
The program anticipates focusing on locations with strong potential for wildlife viewing outside protected areas, community interest in reducing conflict through alternative livelihoods, and credible private sector interest.
33. Are any example community-adjacent areas mentioned?
Yes. Examples include areas adjacent to Kidepo and Lake Mburo.
34. Does the program include human-wildlife conflict reduction?
Yes. The opportunity mentions exploring innovative approaches to reduce human-wildlife conflict and supporting communities to implement conflict reduction strategies through diversified economic opportunities and alternative crops.
35. When was this opportunity posted?
The posted and creation date listed is January 13, 2012.
36. What is the closing date for this presolicitation?
The closing date listed is January 27, 2012.
37. When was the opportunity archived?
The archiving date listed is January 31, 2012.
38. Where should questions or comments about the opportunity be directed?
Questions or comments were directed to KampalaUSAIDSolicita@usaid.gov.
39. Is there a contact for access issues?
Yes. The opportunity notes that a phone contact was provided for access issues (the specific phone number is not included in the provided summary).
40. What is the central conservation logic behind using tourism in this program?
The program is designed so that improved tourism management, stronger markets, and increased community benefits create incentives and resources to reduce biodiversity threats, improve protected area management effectiveness, and support conservation-friendly land use in corridors and dispersal areas.
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