Global Civil Society and Media Strengthening (CSMS)

Description

Request for Information: RFI No. 7200AA21R00003 Activity Title: Global Civil Society and Media Strengthening (CSMS) Issue Date: October 13, 2020 Due Date and Time: November 6, 2020 at 17:00 (EST) INTRODUCTION The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) Center, is gathering information related to anticipated activity design in support of the U.S. Government’s efforts to identify and foster effective approaches to strengthen civic engagement, build capacity of local civil society and independent media, and increase the use of these approaches by USAID Missions, civil society, and independent media actors in support of DRG-related and other development results. This is a Request for Information (RFI). The intent of this RFI is to conduct market research for planning purposes by: 1) seeking responses from interested individuals and organizations to provide information and recommendations that can help shape USAID’s strategy for strengthening civic engagement and independent media in the countries where USAID works; and 2) identifying interests and capabilities of potential partners. This RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Quotation (RFQ), an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Solicitation, a Notice of Funding Opportunity, a Request for Application (RFA), or an indication that USAID will contract or provide assistance for the activity described in this RFI. Thus, USAID is not seeking technical or cost proposals/applications at this time. Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary, and USAID will not reimburse respondents for the preparation of information submitted in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or assistance award. This RFI does not restrict the Government’s approach on any future Solicitation or Notice of Funding Opportunity. Respondents will receive electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions. Submissions in response to this RFI will not be returned and respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. Questions regarding this announcement will not be answered. After USAID reviews and considers any responses, a decision will be made regarding whether and how to proceed with the new potential activity. Not responding to this request does not preclude participation in any future solicitation/opportunity, if any is issued. ACTIVITY PURPOSE USAID seeks to partner with a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders that can implement programs using innovative approaches to strengthening civic engagement and independent media in the countries where it works. The CSMS activity will advance key Agency priorities, including advancing democracy, human rights, and governance goals and objectives; addressing resurgent authoritarianism and countering foreign malign influences; the promotion of transparent, citizen-responsive governance and democratic norms and institutions; advancing private sector engagement; and working with countries to increase civic capacity as a means to advance self-reliance capabilities. This activity contributes to USAID’s commitment to advancing developing nations’ journey to self-reliance by fostering best practices for and implementing activities to build the human and institutional capacities of civil society and media actors to advocate for and implement solutions to local development challenges. The level of self-reliance within individual communities and institutions within a country and the complex systems they make up, including the civil society and media sectors, are the determinants of a country’s overall self-reliance. Civil society and media that function well, represent a range of citizen voices, and interact constructively lead to more responsive and accountable governments that are more capable of providing broadly beneficial goods and services. And, as local systems become stronger, more cohesive, more adaptable, and more capable of mobilizing the resources needed to sustain themselves, the whole country becomes more self-reliant. Activities will strive to advance and expand local capabilities and partnerships (including emerging or informal forms of civil society and independent media actors and entities), and will prioritize engaging new and local partners for activity implementation, in line with the New Partnerships Initiative (NPI). Activities under this mechanism will also foster best practices and implementation of interventions to advance private sector engagement (PSE) and financing self-reliance (FSR). Activities could include local private sector partnerships to address development challenges; community or local philanthropy efforts; social entrepreneurship; and civil society advocacy, transparency, and accountability efforts related to other FSR components, such as public financial management and domestic revenue mobilization. USAID invites interested parties to submit a written response providing feedback on the activity and/or capability information as described in this RFI Attachment. After USAID/DRG reviews and considers responses, a decision will be made regarding whether and how to proceed. Sincerely, Mir Ershadullah Contracting/Agreement Officer

Eligibility

Grants.gov lists this opportunity under eligibility category code 99. These codes correspond to applicant types (state/local government, tribal organization, nonprofit, educational institution, individual, small business, etc.) defined in Grants.gov's own eligibility reference. See the current Grants.gov eligibility categories or check the official listing below for this opportunity's exact eligibility statement.

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