Opportunity Information: Apply for 72016720RFA00004
The Citizen Engagement Activity is a USAID Kosovo funding opportunity intended to support stronger, more responsive civil society in Kosovo by helping local organizations deepen their connections with the people and communities they serve. Issued by USAID through its Regional Contracting Office, the opportunity invites applicants to propose practical, innovative approaches that encourage civil society organizations to rethink how they engage constituencies, how they plan and collaborate, and how they sustain themselves over time. The overall emphasis is on improving citizen-facing engagement and building a more strategic, partnership-oriented civil society sector that is less dependent on a narrow set of donors or partners.
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning USAID expects to have substantial involvement during implementation rather than providing a hands-off grant. The activity falls under the community development category (CFDA 98.001) and is framed as a notice of funding opportunity tied to a formal request for applications: RFA number 72016720RFA00004. Interested applicants are expected to follow the instructions in the full solicitation carefully, since it outlines what kinds of programs USAID is seeking, what must be included in the application package, how submissions must be made, and how proposals will be evaluated and selected.
Programmatically, USAID is looking for ideas that move civil society organizations beyond business-as-usual methods. That includes adopting new ways of listening to and representing constituents, improving accountability and communication with communities, and strengthening the ability of organizations to organize around citizen needs. A major theme is taking a more strategic approach to partnerships, both within the civil society sector (intra-sectoral cooperation) and across other sectors (inter-sectoral partnerships), such as collaboration with media, local government, academia, or the private sector, where relevant. Another core goal is diversification: helping organizations broaden their resource base and partner networks so they are more resilient, less isolated, and better positioned to sustain their work.
In terms of funding scale and timing, the award ceiling listed is $5,000,000, and the original closing date for applications was June 30, 2020. While the record lists the expected awards field without a number, the ceiling indicates the activity could be sizeable, depending on the final award structure described in the RFA. The opportunity was created on April 3, 2020, and administered by USAID in Pristina, Kosovo.
Eligibility is a defining feature of this opportunity. Participation is restricted to "new and underutilized local organizations" as defined in Section C of the solicitation. In practice, that means the competition is designed to expand access for local groups that have not historically received significant USAID funding or have been less active in large donor-funded programming, rather than established international implementers. Any organization considering an application would need to confirm it meets that specific eligibility definition and comply with all other RFA requirements for submission and review.Apply for 72016720RFA00004
- The Kosovo USAID-Pristina in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Citizen Engagement Activity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-04-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-06-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: USAID Kosovo Citizen Engagement Activity (RFA 72016720RFA00004)
What is the Citizen Engagement Activity?
The Citizen Engagement Activity is a USAID Kosovo funding opportunity intended to support stronger, more responsive civil society in Kosovo by helping local organizations deepen their connections with the people and communities they serve.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The overall goal is to improve citizen-facing engagement and build a more strategic, partnership-oriented civil society sector that is less dependent on a narrow set of donors or partners.
Who is issuing and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by USAID through its Regional Contracting Office and administered by USAID in Pristina, Kosovo.
What type of award is being offered?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, which means USAID expects to have substantial involvement during implementation rather than providing a hands-off grant.
What is the CFDA number and program category for this opportunity?
The activity falls under the community development category and is identified as CFDA 98.001.
What is the official solicitation identifier for this opportunity?
This notice of funding opportunity is tied to a formal request for applications (RFA). The RFA number is 72016720RFA00004.
What kinds of approaches is USAID looking for?
USAID is looking for practical, innovative approaches that encourage civil society organizations to move beyond business-as-usual methods. The focus is on rethinking how organizations engage constituencies, plan and collaborate, and sustain themselves over time.
What does "citizen-facing engagement" mean in the context of this activity?
Based on the description provided, the emphasis is on improving how civil society organizations listen to and represent constituents, communicate with communities, and demonstrate accountability to the people they serve.
Is innovation required, or can applicants propose standard programming?
The opportunity emphasizes moving beyond business-as-usual methods and calls for practical, innovative approaches, suggesting proposals should offer improvements or new models rather than repeating standard engagement approaches.
What specific civil society improvements does USAID want to see?
USAID highlights improvements such as adopting new ways of listening to constituents, improving accountability and communication with communities, and strengthening the ability of organizations to organize around citizen needs.
How important are partnerships in this opportunity?
Partnerships are a major theme. USAID is encouraging a more strategic approach to partnerships both within civil society (intra-sectoral cooperation) and across other sectors (inter-sectoral partnerships).
What are examples of inter-sectoral partnerships mentioned in the opportunity?
Examples mentioned include collaboration with media, local government, academia, or the private sector, where relevant.
What does "diversification" mean for applicants and activities?
Diversification refers to helping organizations broaden their resource base and partner networks so they are more resilient, less isolated, and better positioned to sustain their work over time.
What problem is this opportunity trying to address in the civil society sector?
The opportunity is framed around strengthening connections between civil society organizations and the communities they serve, encouraging strategic collaboration, and reducing dependency on a narrow set of donors or partners.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $5,000,000.
How many awards does USAID expect to make?
The record lists the expected awards field without a number. Applicants should refer to the full solicitation (RFA) for details on the anticipated award structure.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 3, 2020.
What was the application deadline?
The original closing date for applications was June 30, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to "new and underutilized local organizations" as defined in Section C of the solicitation.
What does "new and underutilized local organizations" mean?
In practice, the description indicates the competition is designed to expand access for local groups that have not historically received significant USAID funding or have been less active in large donor-funded programming, rather than established international implementers. The official definition is in Section C of the solicitation.
Are international organizations eligible to apply?
Based on the information provided, the competition is designed for "new and underutilized local organizations" and is described as intended to expand access for local groups rather than established international implementers. Applicants should confirm eligibility using the definition in Section C of the solicitation.
What should an organization do to confirm it is eligible?
An organization should review Section C of the solicitation to confirm it meets the specific eligibility definition and comply with all other RFA requirements for submission and review.
What is required to submit an application?
Interested applicants are expected to follow the instructions in the full solicitation carefully, because it outlines what must be included in the application package, how submissions must be made, and how proposals will be evaluated and selected.
How will proposals be evaluated and selected?
The description states that the full solicitation explains how proposals will be evaluated and selected. Applicants should rely on the RFA instructions for evaluation criteria and the selection process.
Where can applicants find the detailed requirements and instructions?
The full solicitation tied to RFA 72016720RFA00004 contains the detailed program expectations, required application contents, submission procedures, eligibility rules, and evaluation/selection information.
What makes this opportunity different from a typical grant?
It is a cooperative agreement, and USAID expects to have substantial involvement during implementation, rather than simply awarding funds with minimal engagement.
What geographic focus is indicated in the opportunity description?
The opportunity is a USAID Kosovo activity and is administered by USAID in Pristina, Kosovo, indicating a Kosovo focus.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development
Next opportunity: USDA-FNS-SNAP-PTIG-FY2020
Previous opportunity: Novel Imaging Approaches for detection of Persistent HIV and Neuroimmune dysfunction associated with HIV In the Central Nervous System (CNS) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 72016720RFA00004
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (72016720RFA00004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Request for Information (RFI) - Female Empowerment (FEMPOW) Apply for 72051420RFI01 Funding Number: 72051420RFI01 Agency: Colombia USAID-Bogota Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $35,000,000 |
| 2021 YSEALI Seeds for the Future Program Apply for USMAS 21 YSEALI 001 Funding Number: USMAS 21 YSEALI 001 Agency: U.S. Mission to ASEAN Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| YSEALI Regional Workshop: "Enhancing ASEAN Human Capital in Health" Apply for 20 VNM NOFO 02 Funding Number: 20 VNM NOFO 02 Agency: U.S. Mission to Vietnam Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program – Julia Taft Refugee Fund Apply for 004 2020 Funding Number: 004 2020 Agency: U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Request for Information for Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (UWASH) Apply for 720 663 21 RFI 00005 Funding Number: 720 663 21 RFI 00005 Agency: Ethiopia USAID-Addis Ababa Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone Apply for RFI 636 21 CELGA 03 Funding Number: RFI 636 21 CELGA 03 Agency: Guinea USAID-Conakry Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) FY 2021 Apply for TRIBALTOURISMFY2021 Funding Number: TRIBALTOURISMFY2021 Agency: Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaaع) Apply for 72027821RFA00006 Funding Number: 72027821RFA00006 Agency: Jordan USAID-Amman Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $75,000,000 |
| Request for Information - Powered by the People - Strengthening Peaceful Collective Action Apply for 7200AA22RFI00005 Funding Number: 7200AA22RFI00005 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| U.S. Embassy Conakry, Ambassador Special Self-Help Program Apply for DOS CONAK FY22 00 01 Funding Number: DOS CONAK FY22 00 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Guinea Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| New Partnerships Initiative Conflict Prevention and Recovery Program Apply for 7200AA22APS00006 Funding Number: 7200AA22APS00006 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $49,999,000 |
| OSMRE VISTA Program Apply for S22AS00329 Funding Number: S22AS00329 Agency: Office of Surface Mining Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Jamaica Youth EMPOWERment Addendum to Youth Power 2 Annual Program Statement. Apply for 72053223APS00001 Funding Number: 72053223APS00001 Agency: Dominican Republic USAID-Santo Domingo Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Cooperative Development Program_APS Apply for 7200AA23APS00002 Funding Number: 7200AA23APS00002 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $90,000,000 |
| Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program Apply for P23AS00173 Funding Number: P23AS00173 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Inclusive Climate Action – FY 22 Disability Funding Apply for 72018223RFA00001 Funding Number: 72018223RFA00001 Agency: Kosovo USAID-Pristina Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Human Rights and Access to Justice for Migrants Activity Apply for 72051423RFI00003 Funding Number: 72051423RFI00003 Agency: Colombia USAID-Bogota Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Request for Concept Papers for Disability-Inclusive Climate Action Activity Apply for 3092023 Funding Number: 3092023 Agency: Tajikistan USAID-Dushanbe Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2023 HŌʻIHI NATIVE Act Grant Program for Native Hawaiian Organizations Apply for D23AS00343 Funding Number: D23AS00343 Agency: Interior Business Ceter Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| : U.S. Embassy Conakry, Ambassador Special Self-Help Program Annual Program Statement Apply for DOS CONAK FY23 00 01 Funding Number: DOS CONAK FY23 00 01 Agency: U.S. Mission to Guinea Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $10,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "72016720RFA00004", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.