The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) has established the USADF Community Development Institutions Program to assist local development institutions in providing technical assistance and project management support to grassroots groups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa. This initiative seeks to empower these organizations to strengthen their capacities to support community-based and other activities that benefit the poor. The program is now open for applications.
Program Description
The USADF Community Development Institutions Program aims to empower local organizations and help them build their capacities to support community-based and other activities that benefit the poor. The USADF is requesting applications from organizations that have technical expertise and experience in community development to provide technical assistance and project management support to groups and SMEs that are applying for or receiving funding from USADF.
The USADF is an independent Federal agency of the United States Government established to support African-designed and African-driven solutions that address grassroots economic and social problems. This mission and structure of the agency make it possible to carry out development in isolated and highly underserved regions in Africa.
Benefits
The USADF supports private businesses, farmers’ cooperatives, associations, and various community-based organizations, especially those reaching underserved communities and those working in the off-grid energy sector, and individual early-stage entrepreneurs engaged in economic and social development activities. USADF’s current average project size of $250,000 is accepted. Projects include activities focused on irrigated agriculture, agro-processing, fishing, livestock, dairy, youth entrepreneurship, and off-grid renewable energy.
Eligibility Criteria
The USADF provides funds to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and community-based groups in African countries, particularly those benefiting youth and women, and those working in the off-grid energy sector. Funding criteria emphasize community participation and ownership, significant economic and social impact on low-income communities, and impact commensurate with the level of investment, sustainability, and potential for replication of the activity. The USADF Community Development Institutions Program is accepting applications in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
How Partners Work with USADF
The Partner works with USADF Headquarters staff in Washington, DC, to provide on-going support to projects that have been financed by USADF. Partners of the USADF Community Development Institutions Program are not-for-profit organizations and for-profit firms that have the core competencies and experience needed to assist small enterprises and community-based economic interest groups to design, monitor, and assess community-based enterprise development and expansion projects in the listed African countries.
Core experiences/competencies required to serve as USADF Partner in the listed African country: Applicants must have experience providing technical assistance and training, and possess strong skills in organizational management, business development, marketing analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and production and planning.
The prospective Partner organization of USADF Community Development Institutions Program will have an office in Lusaka. USADF awards cooperative agreements to local organizations to ensure that the Foundation’s Grant Applicants and Grantees have access to the technical and advisory services they may need to successfully plan and implement their self-help development activities.
Application Instructions
To apply for the USADF Community Development Institutions Program:
- Your submission must include the following information from your organization:
- financial statements for the last 2 years
- registration document
- completed grant application form, in English, or French
- Applications must be in the sectors identified above for each country.
- Applications can be no more than US $250,000.
- Submit all documents in one e-mail by June 30, 2023, to the e-mail address found in your country’s call for a proposal.
- Download a copy of the grant application form and apply.
The application deadline may vary for each country. Please refer to the Program Description for a complete statement of goals and expected results.
Conclusion
The USADF Community Development Institutions Program presents a valuable opportunity for organizations looking to build their capacity in community development and assist grassroots groups and SMEs in receiving funding from USADF. This program serves as a platform for building sustainable economic and social solutions that benefit African communities. Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this initiative that seeks to empower underserved communities in Africa.