PREPARED Project invites concept papers for projects to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of East African issues

The Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research and Economic Development (PREPARED) Project, invites concept papers from regional and national organizations in East Africa for projects to support the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s initiative to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of East African economies, trans-boundary and freshwater ecosystems and communities. 

The PREPARED Project is a five year initiative targeting three key development challenges of East Africa, and high priority areas for the U.S. Government, which includes climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and water supply, sanitation and hygiene. The PREPARED Project’s Grants Program will directly support the above priorities and projects that support PREPARED’s three integrated objectives listed below:  

• Climate change adaptation technical capacity, policy leadership and action readiness of regional institutions improved;
• Resilient and sustainable management of biologically significant trans-boundary freshwater ecosystems in the EAC region strengthened; and
• Resilient and sustainable water supply, sanitation, and wastewater treatment services in the Lake Victoria Basin enhanced.

The PREPARED Project anticipates that the individual grants will range between US$100,000 to US$150,000, with project length of a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months duration. However on a case-by-case basis, applications less than $100,000 or that exceed $150,000 or 12 months in duration may be considered. 

Successful applicants must be operational and legally registered in at least one of the following countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.  Applicants must also have the experience, presence and organizational mandate to operate in a regional context and contribute to the regional goals and objectives of the East Africa PREPARED Project. All concept papers must address the PREPARED Project’s objectives by employing a transboundary approach or focus on a regional issue affecting the East African Community or the Lake Victoria Basin.  

The  PREPARED  Project  intends to review concept  papers  on  the following dates:  June 11, 2014; August 20, 2014; and November 19, 2014. The concept  papers  received after November 19th will  be reviewed depending on the availability of funds.  Specific instructions, formats, and deadlines  for the preparation  and submittal of a concept paper  are provided in the  full APS, which can  be obtained by sending an e-mail to:  preparedaps001@gmail.com.  Please include “PREPARED APS001” in the subject  line.  Further  details  on  the  PREPARED  Project,  including  project  documents  such  as  the Statement of Work, can be obtained from the Grants Officer through the above email address.

Concept  papers  receiving  preliminary  review  acceptance  will  be  invited  to  attend  a  “Next  Steps Clinic,”  which provides targeted assistance in the application development process including detailed requirements and procedures for preparing and submitting full grant applications.  An invitation to the “Next Steps Clinic” does not indicate a grant award; as awards will be made only after the submission and evaluation of the full application reviewed according to the established criteria in the APS and upon final approval from USAID.