Transforming Sierra Leone Linking Democratic Governance, Economic Growth And Natural Resource Management, While Empowering Women And Youth And Building Institutional Capacities | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the full title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Transforming Sierra Leone Linking Democratic Governance, Economic Growth And Natural Resource Management, While Empowering Women And Youth And Building Institutional Capacities."

2) Who is funding this opportunity?

This is a USAID-funded program (U.S. Agency for International Development).

3) What type of solicitation is this?

It was issued as a Request for Applications (RFA), inviting prospective partners to submit full proposals.

4) What kind of award does USAID plan to make?

USAID planned to make a single award under a Cooperative Agreement.

5) What does it mean that the award is a Cooperative Agreement?

A Cooperative Agreement typically indicates substantial U.S. Government involvement during implementation. The description notes this can include collaboration on work planning, monitoring, and key technical decisions.

6) How many awards were expected under this RFA?

The notice indicates one expected award (a single award rather than multiple smaller grants).

7) What is the estimated funding amount and award ceiling?

The estimated total funding amount and the award ceiling are listed as $13,244,000.

8) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.

9) Where will the program be implemented?

The implementing focus is Sierra Leone.

10) Which USAID office is associated with this opportunity?

The listed agency office is USAID Conakry (Guinea USAID Conakry), suggesting regional management or administrative oversight through that mission or office at the time.

11) What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is designed to support an integrated development effort in Sierra Leone that links democratic governance improvements, economic growth initiatives, and stronger natural resource management, while also empowering women and youth and building institutional capacities.

12) Is the program meant to be multi-sector?

Yes. The opportunity describes a multi-sector set of activities and expects an implementer that can manage a complex portfolio across sectors such as agriculture, community development, environment, and natural resources, while also delivering governance-related outcomes.

13) Does USAID want separate projects for governance, economic growth, and natural resource management?

No. A central theme is that these areas should not be treated as separate tracks. Applicants were expected to design a comprehensive, integrated program where the sectors reinforce each other.

14) How is integration described in the opportunity?

The notice emphasizes that better governance should support a healthier investment and business climate; economic opportunities should reduce instability and exclusion; and improved stewardship of land and natural resources should contribute to livelihoods and long-term resilience.

15) What cross-cutting groups or priorities are emphasized?

The opportunity highlights a strong focus on empowering women and youth, along with strengthening institutional capacities. Interventions were expected to intentionally expand inclusion and build local capacity to sustain results beyond the life of the award.

16) What does "building institutional capacities" imply for proposed activities?

Based on the description, proposals were expected to include approaches that strengthen local institutions so results can be sustained after the award ends.

17) What kind of applicant/implementer profile fits this opportunity?

The notice points toward an implementer capable of managing a complex, cross-sector portfolio (including areas like agriculture, community development, environment, and natural resources) while also delivering democratic governance outcomes, and doing so in close collaboration with USAID under a Cooperative Agreement.

18) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition was open to a broad range of entities, subject to any additional clarifications that would have been included in the full announcement.

19) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 98.001 (USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas).

20) What were the key dates for this RFA?

The opportunity was posted on January 17, 2008. The original and current closing date was March 31, 2008. The archive date was April 30, 2008.

21) Is this an active funding opportunity today?

No. The listing includes an archive date of April 30, 2008, indicating it is a historical funding notice rather than an active competition.

22) Who was the point of contact for questions at the time of the solicitation?

Questions or access issues related to the full announcement were directed to Fatoumata Camara, and a phone number was provided in the notice as the contact method.

23) What did USAID expect from a competitive proposal?

The notice indicates a competitive application would have needed to present an integrated strategy tying together governance strengthening, inclusive economic development, and improved natural resource management, with credible mechanisms to empower women and youth and build local institutional capacity.

24) Did the opportunity reference alignment with USAID or U.S. Government frameworks?

Yes. USAID explicitly referenced alignment with the U.S. Foreign Assistance Framework objectives, implying proposals should frame activities and results using USAID outcome logic, performance measurement, and cross-sector priorities, and show how interventions reinforce each other rather than operating in isolation.