Request for Applicants (RFA) No. RFA-ECE-011

REQUEST FOR APPLICANT (RFA)

To: Applicants

From: Creative Associates International, Inc.

Subject: Request for Applicants (RFA) No. RFA-ECE-011

Type of Grant: Cluster Lead Grant

RFA Issue Date: 28 April 2024

RFA Closing Date: 10 June 2024

RFA Closing Time: 8:00 AM Local Time, Ethiopia

Reference: USAID Contract No. 72066323CA00003

Creative Associates International (Creative) is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm specializing in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. In March 2023, Creative was awarded the USAID-funded Ethiopia Civic Engagement (ECE) Activity, a four-year activity to strengthen civic and community-based actors capacity to engage in policy analysis, advocacy, dialogue, and collective action for peaceful, democratic change; and foster multi-stakeholder civic partnerships in support of inclusive dialogue, respect for human rights, and advancing more effective, citizen-responsive, and accountable governance.Creative ECE will implement its activities in Addis Ababa, Dessie and Dire Dawa cities and their surrounding regions. It may also extend its activities to other regions.

Creative ECE is inviting interested local Civil Society organization(s) to apply for grant award(s) as cluster lead organization inAddis Ababa and Sheger City, Dessie city and its surroundings, Dire Dawa city and its surrounding and at the National level.Through the cluster lead organization (CLO) grant, ECE intends to work through the selected civil society organization (CSO) to support and strengthen civic and community-based actors (i.e., the Clusters) capacity to engage in dialogue, collective action, policy analysis, and advocacy for inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance. ECE has identified issues (themes) in Addis Ababa, Dessie, Dire Dawa Hubs and at the National level. The applicant will be expected to work with relevant key stakeholders to identify and address the root causes, deconstructing the complex issues and challenges within the issues. The identified themes for the above-mentioned areas are Peace and Security, Inflation, Fiscal Transparency, Road and Access to basic services.

Eligible and interested applicants are encouraged to read the full RFA thoroughly to understand the type of activity sought, application submission requirements, and selection process. To be eligible for an award, the applicant must provide all information as required in this RFA and meet eligibility standards inSection C of this RFA. Interested applicants can request the RFA and application forms via email:Grants@crea-ece.com.

Creative will organize a question-and-answer sessionon May 14th, 2024 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Interested applicants can submit their questions and register for the event via theGrants@crea-ece.comemail. The event will be both virtual and in person at Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Dessie ECE offices. The deadline for submitting questions to be discussed during the Q&A live session isMay 10th, 2024,before1:00 pm.All questions related to the RFA submitted beforeMay 31st, 2024, at 1 pmwill be answered and sent out to anyone who has requested to receive the RFA.