72016522RFA00006 - Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity RFA- NOFO.pdf

Issue Date: July 20, 2022 Deadline for Questions: August 16, 2022 at 5 p.m. Skopje Time Closing Date: September 15, 2022 at 5 p.m. Skopje Time

Subject: Request for Application Number: 72016522RFA00006

Program Title: Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 98.001

Potential Applicants:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO). Although full and open competition is foreseen, and to ensure local ownership and full sustainability, preference will be given to applications that demonstrate the creation or utilization of partnerships and/or alliances with one or more capable and experienced local implementing partners, and that substantial segments of the work will be carried out by these local organizations.

The purpose of the planned activity is to increase positive youth contributions to society and collective youth leadership through creating partnerships in support of economic opportunities attractive to youth; strengthening youths’ competencies for jobs, progressive careers and civic life;

and promoting values and experiences that underpin self-reliance, such as responsibility, independence, lawfulness, strong ethics, civic engagement, and striving for accomplishment.

USAID intends to make one award to the applicant who best meets the objectives of this funding opportunity based on the merit review criteria described in this NOFO subject to a risk assessment.

Eligible parties interested in submitting an application are encouraged to read this NOFO thoroughly to understand the type of program sought, application submission requirements and the selection process.

To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all information as required in this NOFO and meet eligibility standards in Section C of this NOFO. This funding opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov, and may be amended. It is the responsibility of the applicant to regularly check the website to ensure they have the latest information pertaining to this notice of funding opportunity and to ensure that the NOFO has been received from the internet in its entirety. USAID bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion process. If you have difficulty registering on www.grants.gov or accessing the NOFO, please contact the Grants.gov Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or via email at support@grants.gov for technical assistance.

USAID may not award to an applicant unless the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifiers and System for Award Management (SAM) requirements detailed in Section D.

The registration process may take many weeks to complete. Therefore, Applicants are encouraged to begin registration early in the process.

72016522RFA00006

The deadline for questions is shown above. Responses to questions received prior to the deadline will be furnished to all potential applicants through an amendment to this notice posted to www.grants.gov.

Issuance of this notice of funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the Government nor does it commit the Government to pay for any costs incurred in preparation or submission of comments/suggestions or an application. Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense.

USAID reserves the right to engage in discussions for programmatic adjustments with the apparently successful applicant prior to the award.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Chad Berkowitz Foreign Assistance Agreement Officer

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 4

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 11

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 12

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 14

SECTION E: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 25

SECTION F: FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 27

SECTION G: FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S) 28

SECTION H: OTHER INFORMATION 29

ANNEX 1 - SUMMARY BUDGET TEMPLATE 30

ANNEX 2 - STANDARD PROVISIONS 30

SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This funding opportunity is authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) of 1961, as amended. The resulting award will be subject to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and USAID’s supplement, 2 CFR 700, as well as the additional requirements found in Section F.

Program Description - Youth Actively Create Opportunities

I. Project Purpose

The Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity falls under USAID/North Macedonia’s Development Objective 2: “Youth Contributions to Society Increased,” and will operate for five years at a budget of approximately $7 million subject to adherence to the cost principles. The Activity aims to increase youth positive contributions to society and collective leadership through creating partnerships in support of economic opportunities attractive to youth; strengthening youths’ competencies for jobs, progressive careers and civic life; and promoting values and experiences that underpin self-reliance such as responsibility, independence, lawfulness, strong ethics, civic engagement, and striving for accomplishment. USAID will build on previous and current investments in civic education and engagement, social cohesion, combating misinformation, and innovation and entrepreneurship. To accomplish this, USAID expects to engage in resource partnerships with government institutions, private sector enterprises, youth organizations, and other stakeholders that we share goals with.

II. Background

Approximately 400,000 youth aged 15-29 live in North Macedonia and they face a number of significant challenges, including a rising cost of living, limited job opportunities, and an education system that does not provide them with the knowledge and skills needed for the labor market (CDCS, 2020; UNICEF, 2019). The youth unemployment rate stands at 25% (25.1% male and 24.9% female), and due to a lack of planning, the labor market is saturated with graduates in certain areas and insufficient supply in other areas.1 Those who are employed complain of poor pay and conditions, others are under-employed or working in jobs not linked to their education training. Few partnerships exist between the private sector, educational institutions, and youth to foster skills development (USAID, 2019). An exception to the overall employment situation is the IT sector, which is thriving due to the variety of job offers, better pay and working conditions. The IT-related jobs continue to be in high demand across the spectrum and present an important window of opportunity for the overall economic growth.

Education has not served youth well as the system relies on aging infrastructure, outdated materials, and teachers who do not receive sufficient training and support (USAID, 2019). Though the education system has undergone partial reforms in the last decade, gross enrollment in upper secondary schools remains more than 10 percentage points lower than in other countries in the

1 From ‘Youth Contributions to Society Increased Summary Identification Report’ developed by SDC 2022.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CDCS_North_Macedonia_External_2025.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CDCS_North_Macedonia_External_2025.pdf https://www.unicef.org/northmacedonia/media/5256/file/Youth%20in%20North%20Macedonia_EN.pdf https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00WB77.pdf region, significantly below the EU average and significantly lower than gross enrollment rates in primary education (UNICEF, 2019). The students of North Macedonia continue to perform poorly at the subsequent international student assessment tests PISA.2 The Vocational Education and Training (VET) system has been focused on reforms that include adding more work-based learning opportunities.3 Young people feel that internships and other types of practical learning are desperately needed. While the Law on Internships provides a legal framework, implementation of the legislation is weak.

According to the above-mentioned UNICEF study, almost half of young people in North Macedonia are dissatisfied with the quality of education, and they are particularly dissatisfied when it comes to alignment of curricula with skill-sets that match market demand. Youth are missing important technical, cognitive (critical thinking) and soft skills (e.g., communication, decision-making, and teamwork) and employers are reluctant to hire them fearing the level of financial investments that need to be made for on-the-job training programs and/or certification.4

Many youth have already emigrated or plan to emigrate in more developed countries for better education opportunities, jobs, and a more comfortable living. In a recent assessment conducted by USAID, over half of youth surveyed said they intend to leave the country in the next two years (USAID, 2019). Estimates based on census data from destination countries (mostly Western European countries and North America) suggest that more than 500,000 citizens of North Macedonia reside abroad, one of the largest diasporas in the world as a percentage of the total population

(UNICEF, 2019).

Those young people who stay in North Macedonia tend to live at home even into their mid 30’s, and, with limited physical spaces to engage socially, spend an average of six hours a day on social media (USAID, 2019). While young people are moderately involved in civic affairs, there are those who experience marginalization, including the Roma, youth with disabilities, rural youth, and LGBTQI.

Corruption is noted as a huge limitation in both civic and work life. The lack of opportunities to gather, recreate, and contribute have developed into a general sense of apathy.

Although certain measures and actions have been taken in recent years to increase the participation of young people in the decision-making processes, a recent study by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy shows that 85% of young people have never been consulted by authorities and 80% state that the authorities do not care about them at all or only partially care about them and their needs and problems.5 The newly adopted Law on Youth Participation and Youth Policies prioritizes addressing the needs and interests of young people through their participation in policy processes as well as supporting and promoting youth organizations. It is unclear how this law will roll out and whether it will achieve its goals.

III. Relationship to Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS)

5 From ‘Youth Contributions to Society Increased Summary Identification Report’ developed by SDC 2022.

4 From ‘Youth Contributions to Society Increased Summary Identification Report’ developed by SDC 2022.

3 From ‘Youth Contributions to Society Increased Summary Identification Report’ developed by SDC 2022.

2 PISA is the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment. PISA measures 15-year-olds’ competencies to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges.

https://www.unicef.org/northmacedonia/media/5256/file/Youth%20in%20North%20Macedonia_EN.pdf https://national-policies.eacea.ec.europa.eu/youthwiki/chapters/republic-of-north-macedonia/12-national-youth-law

The YACO activity will be based on the idea that there is no greater resource than youth power to achieve the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy Goal “USAID Partnerships Promote a Prosperous, Well-Governed, and Resilient North Macedonia Committed to Euro-Atlantic Integration.” USAID/North Macedonia acknowledges that working with youth is a strategic imperative, that youth are the NOW, not the future, and that to solve the issues impacting the country, power will need to shift into the hands and hearts of young people. The activity will include an overarching principle on building resource partnerships6 that aim to move from traditional donor-recipient relationships to new partnerships that feature USAID co-investments (e.g., financial resources, human resources, technical expertise, and other contributions) alongside local resources to advance country ownership of development. USAID is open to different models for co-investment.

The YACO activity will fall directly under Development Objective 2 (DO2) – Youth Contributions to Society Increased. The focus of the DO 2 is on fostering economic opportunities attractive to youth, strengthening their competencies, and empowering youth to take an active role in the country’s development. The YACO activity will collaborate with activities advancing Development Objective 1 (DO 1): Greater economic growth through improved competitiveness and Development Objective 3 (DO 3): Reduced corruption that is eroding faith in public institutions and the culture of accountability. Specifically, YACO will support selected startups, youth entrepreneurship through training and coaching in needed technical skills, as well as in business development and financial management. USAID will also explore options for synergies with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy on “Youth Guarantees.” YACO will also seek ways of better including youth in anti-corruption efforts, including advocating for increased accountability of their local and national government. This will likely take place through youth outreach initiatives toward cultivating stronger anti-corruption attitudes and behaviors.

The activity must be aligned with the new USAID’s Youth in Development Policy 2022 in its focus on strengthening local systems and youth skills for economic and civic engagement. The Activity further advances USAID’s Global LEAD initiative focused on supporting young changemakers through education, civic/political engagement and leadership.

IV. Design Approach

To develop the YACO activity, USAID/North Macedonia conducted an assessment that included extensive literature review, individual meetings with over 40 relevant stakeholders, and multiple focus groups with youth and youth-serving organizations (including CSO networks, umbrella youth organizations and networks; marginalized and underrepresented groups; career development, non-formal education and training service providers; youth political branches; media; startups and economic chambers; donor community; green agenda and sustainable development CSOs; and youth with disabilities). The research findings and final reports that include an overall view of youth issues and challenges, including a preliminary list of stakeholders that expressed interest for resource partnerships, will be made available to the implementing partner/s upon award. The project design is also based on USAID’s 2019 Cross-Sectoral Youth Assessment, found here.

6 Resource partnerships are defined as formal agreements or collaborations with targeted stakeholders from the private sector, the host government, and/or civil society, employing USAID and local actors’ investments, which can include financial, human capital, and/or other types of contributions. These partnerships are intended to ensure that local partners are in the lead in defining and advancing solutions for development.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USAID-Youth-in-Development-Policy-2022-Update-508_2.pdf https://www.edu-links.org/about/global-engagement/global-leadership-and-education-advancing-development-global-lead https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00WB77.pdf

V. Project Description

The YACO development hypothesis states: “IF economic opportunities for youth are strengthened, and their skills, civic and pro-social values are enhanced, THEN youth will increase their contribution and connectedness to society.” The activity will target cohorts within the age range between 15-30 broken down into the following: 15-19; 20-25; 26-30. According to the North Macedonia Law on Youth and Youth Participation, “youth” are defined as persons aged 15 to 29 years old.

Project Components, Illustrative Activities, and Expected Outcomes

The YACO activity comprises three components as described below. These components are interconnected and mutually-reinforcing and activities proposed must reflect this integration.

Illustrative activities and potential expected outcomes are outlined below.

Component 1: Partnerships created to support economic opportunities attractive to youth

The first component of YACO will look at supporting economic opportunities7 for the youth of North Macedonia in high-opportunity, high-growth sectors. IT-related jobs continue to be in high demand and present a window of opportunity for overall economic growth. The focus for this component will be on demand-side considerations, including engagement with the private sector and prioritization of important and attractive employment sectors for youth employment.

Illustrative activities:

● Work with resource and other partners in the technology and other sectors in high demand to create an employment pipeline for trained youth, such as: 1) digital services for e-Government, EduTech, MedTech, FinTech, AgriTech, virtual reality, gamification of learning contents, etc.; 2) integrating youth into the creative sector (e.g., tourism, outdoor adventure tours, food production, culture, festivals, services, etc.); and 3) creating a cadre of trained youth in cyber-security.

● Empower youth by creating opportunities for youth to engage with the private sector through development of an ‘advisory group’ that provides guidance on high opportunity sectors for youth employment or other mechanisms to engage with the private sector.

● Collaborate with the Strategic Green Investment Fund (supported buy the Fund for Innovation and Technology Development, World Bank and Free Zones Authority) to create synergies that support green jobs (e.g., solar) and business (e.g., development of ‘greencubators’ that support youth-led entrepreneurship related to the green economy).

● Support youth social entrepreneurship (e.g., assist with legislature, pilot social enterprises), learning from local and international experiences (such as ARNO and Ashoka). Provide business management training and mentorship and create linkages with international freelance platforms.

● Collaborate with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and Employment Service Agency in the areas of shared interest, such as specialized digital training, internships, as well as the government’s “Youth Guarantee” program (which entails career counseling, continuous training/education, internships, employment).

7 “Economic opportunity means young people can access the education, training, guidance, and connections required to successfully achieve economic security and independence”(International Youth Foundation, 2021);

https://iyfglobal.org/economic-opportunity https://www.pravdiko.mk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Zakon-za-mladinsko-uchestvo-i-mladinski-politiki-16-01-2020.pdf https://balkangreenenergynews.com/north-macedonia-to-establish-strategic-green-investment-fund-to-boost-green-economy/ https://arno.org.mk/about-us/ https://www.ashoka.org/en-us https://iyfglobal.org/economic-opportunity

Expected outcomes: Strategic partnerships developed with private sector; private sector has positive mindset toward hiring youth and engaging them in training programs; private sector has access to a roster of highly trained youth for hiring purposes; youth have more employment and meaningful internship options; youth feel more comfortable pursuing entrepreneurship as a career (for-profit and social); increased employment opportunities for youth exist in green economy.

Component 2: Youth’s competencies for jobs, progressive careers and civic life strengthened

The second component of YACO will look at building youth competencies related to employment and career development, as well as foundational skills that will support successful navigation of life experiences. The focus for this component will be on supply-side considerations such as innovative and/or specialized training in high opportunity sectors, research, work-based learning, and life or soft skills acquisition.

Illustrative activities:

● Work with resources and other partners (e.g., non-formal training providers, selected specialized tertiary education programs) in IT technology and other sectors in high demand to provide access to youth to innovative skills, specialized training, career counseling, internships and scholarship funds for marginalized.

● Support the existing and identify new partnerships8 for digital training for interested students in secondary schools, and explore options to create makerspaces9.

● Collaborate with the DO1 portfolio in the areas of policy reform and skills development (e.g., support to startups, business accelerators, training and coaching for young entrepreneurs). Work with national and local media to promote success stories on youth entrepreneurship, innovation and research.

● Collaborate with the DO3 new project/s to complement the anti-corruption efforts (e.g., support youth anti-corruption skills development that students can take into the classroom, families and among peers).

● Train YACO implementing partners in Positive Youth Development (PYD) concepts and youth engagement strategies, as well as youth-led organizations to create a group of local PYD ambassadors that help raise the awareness of the importance of the PYD approach.

Expected outcomes: Employers value the quality of young interns and graduates from training programs; youth have skills needed to get a job; youth have the skills and support needed to start a business; youth have the skills and mindset to reduce corruption; project staff and youth have knowledge and skills related to PYD.

Component 3: Values and experience that underpin self-reliance promoted (strong ethics, civic engagement, leadership, responsibility, independence, lawfulness, and striving for accomplishment)

The third component of YACO will focus on promoting values and experiences of youth for proactive civic engagement, strong ethics, independence, social responsibility, and positive impact in

9 Makerspace is a place in which people with shared interests, especially in computing or technology, can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge

8 Youth Hub initiative, a project supported by U.K. implemented by the National Youth Council of Macedonia and the Economic Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies – MASIT https://www.youthpower.org/positive-youth-development-pyd-framework the society. YACO will partner to expand the network and influence of young leaders that engage positively in their communities through volunteerism, research, and advocacy, contributing in addressing issues such as corruption, climate change, and government accountability and transparency. YACO will support youth leadership through capacity-building, grants, mentoring, and other enabling activities.

Illustrative activities:

● Promote youth-led research and advocacy to raise awareness and provide evidence for climate change, green agenda, pollution, corruption and other issues of interest to youth.

● Strengthen capacities of youth groups, youth-led organizations and networks to create a group of active leaders that work to hold the government accountable; advocate for youth-focused policies through development of youth councils; and/or connect to those youth already in leadership groups or networks, including making connections with global networks such as Generation Unlimited.

● Support initiatives for changing cultural values about what constitutes corruption, and how it harms the society; have youth ‘educate’ their families, peers, adults and seniors.

● Engage youth in overseeing funds available for youth-led research and action efforts (e.g., YouthBank), as well as provide rapid response grants (developed with youth input) to support promising youth-led initiatives (e.g., research, projects, partnerships).

● Support youth-led events such as hackathons, design thinking events, innovation for social change through art, music, multimedia, and sports that help shape-up youth’s skills and values (like the Big Idea Challenges by Ukraine UNITY).

● Support youth’s life and leadership skills and values through experiential learning, community service and volunteering practices at community level (e.g., green and eco-activism, climate change, support to elderly and disabled), encouraging participation in innovation hubs and use of social media for promoting youth as social change agents.

Encourage youth voluntary services that link youth to jobs, service corps, youth civic internships, civil society ‘watchdog’ activities, and civic incubators.

● Create mentorship opportunities between youth and peer or adult mentors that offer youth immediate opportunities for active participation in their community.

Expected outcomes: Youth report a high level of interest in civic engagement; youth increase participation in their community; youth take action on anti corruption, environment/pollution, climate change, inclusion, and other social issues; North Macedonia has a growing population of young leaders.

The new activity will contribute to selected Standard Youth Indicators.

Project Principles

The following principles must underpin YACO’s work throughout design, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities:

a. Focus on windows of opportunity: YACO must focus on opportunities and look to maintain flexibility, experimentation, innovation in implementation and adaptive management, such that quick shifts and additions can be made when opportunities with community, government, private sector or youth arise.

https://www.generationunlimited.org/ https://www.youthbankinternational.org/about https://www.irex.org/project/ukraine-national-identity-through-youth-unity https://www.youthpower.org/sites/default/files/YouthPower/files/resources/USAID%20Standard%20Youth%20Indicators.pdf

b. Positive Youth Development (PYD) Approach: YACO will utilize the PYD framework of assets, agency, contribution, enabling environment, and focus on PYD features in the programmatic activities: skill building, youth engagement and contribution, healthy relationships and bonding, belonging and membership, positive norms and expectations, safe spaces, access to youth-friendly services. Emphasize a socio-ecological model that supports parents, teachers, community leaders, etc.

to actively, respectfully, and meaningfully engage youth. Particular focus is given to youth-led efforts. The applicant must employ the with youth-for youth programmatic approach.

c. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: YACO will aim to enhance inclusion and equity for all, including youth with disabilities, rural youth, LGBT youth, and other marginalized youth groups. YACO will stimulate engagement of our counterparts and government in promoting a climate of equal opportunities. The activity will aim to promote young women and young men equal economic, social, cultural, and civil rights equally empowered to secure better lives for themselves, their families, and communities.

d. Climate Change/Green Agenda: YACO will work toward mitigating climate change and addressing its impacts by partnering to protect critical ecosystems, transition to renewable energy, build resilience against the impacts of climate change, mainly through climate-change and green agenda youth activism.

e. Innovation, Technology, Research: YACO will work to develop new partnerships and bring innovative thinking using methodologies that focus on end-users.YACO will partner to cultivate a research culture among youth, advance the use of data and evidence in decision-making, remove barriers to digital inclusion, and leverage emerging technologies.

f. Collaborating, Learning, Adapting: YACO will work to identify areas of shared interest and work together where it makes sense, reduce duplication of efforts, and share knowledge across sectoral boundaries. Particular attention must be paid to synergies and collaboration with USAID development objectives for increasing economic competitiveness and regional economic integration, as well as combating corruption; utilize a variety of sources of information (findings of research, evaluations, analyses, knowledge gained from experience) and take the time to pause and reflect on implementation; and apply learning and adaptive management during implementation.

https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion https://www.usaid.gov/accessibility https://www.usaid.gov/climate/strategy/process-timeline https://www.usaid.gov/innovation-technology-research https://usaidlearninglab.org/faq/collaborating%2C-learning%2C-and-adapting-cla

SECTION B: FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated

USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity.

Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide $7,000,000 in total USAID funding over a five year period.

2. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Awards

The anticipated period of performance is five years. The estimated start date will be November 2022.

3. Substantial Involvement

The anticipated substantial involvement is defined by the following elements and will be described in detail at the time of award:

A) Approval of the Recipient's Implementation Plans B) Approval of Specified Key Personnel C) Agency and Recipient Collaboration or Joint Participation D) Agency Authority to Immediately Halt a Construction Activity

4. Authorized Geographic Code

The geographic code for the procurement of commodities and services under this program is 937.

5. Nature of the Relationship between USAID and the Recipient

The principal purpose of the relationship with the Recipient and under the subject program is to transfer funds to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation of the Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity which is authorized by Federal statute. The successful Recipient will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the program objectives and the efficient and effective administration of the award through the application of sound management practices. The Recipient will assume responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.

6. Selection of Instrument

USAID/North Macedonia determined that there are sufficient sources that can meet the agency's needs. The Mission assessed that the key element in deciding on an assistance instrument was flexibility and innovation that is needed in the implementing approach in order for Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity to fulfill its goal. As a result, USAID/North Macedonia determined that the assistance instrument - cooperative agreement - best fits the Mission’s needs under Youth Actively Create Opportunities, as it will provide an opportunity to develop a flexible and innovative approach.

SECTION C: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted.

USAID is interested in working with organizations with the potential to successfully implement the project in North Macedonia to support local efforts to address the challenges discussed above. We are encouraging coalitions and partnerships, as well as applications that aim to leverage USAID resources with other funding sources. While strong coalitions and partnerships are encouraged, any assistance agreement awarded under this funding opportunity will be issued to a lead prime implementing partner.

Please note that public/government organizations can contribute to this Activity, but are not able to apply for, or be party to, the award as either a prime or sub-awardee. Programs may not be partisan or political in nature.

Local organizations as defined below are eligible for award.

When determining if an entity is a “local organization” for the purposes of this RFA, USAID will consider:

• Whether the entity is legally organized under the laws of North Macedonia.

• Whether the entity has its principal place of business or operations in North Macedonia.

• Whether the entity is majority owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of North Macedonia.

• Whether the entity is managed by a governing body, the majority of whom are citizens or lawful permanent residents of North Macedonia.

• Entities which do not meet the above-listed “local organization” criteria will be considered ineligible to participate in the further award process.

While not an exhaustive list and provided for illustrative purposes only, the following types of non-U.S. organizations are encouraged to participate:

• Civic groups

• Colleges and universities

• Cooperatives

• Faith-based organizations

• Foundations

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• Private businesses

• Trade associations

USAID will not accept an application from individuals. All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable law.

Public International Organizations are not eligible to apply for funding under this program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

This Activity incorporates resource partnerships amplifying United States Government funds towards sustainable results. Any cost share should be reflected in accordance with the instructions provided herein.

3. Other

a) An applicant may submit only one application as a prime under this notice of funding opportunity.

b) Applicants must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S.

Government standards, laws, and regulations. The successful applicant(s) may be subject to a responsibility determination assessment (Pre-award Survey) by the Agreement Officer. The applicant’s accounting and procurement systems, audit issues, and management capability may be reviewed as part of this process. If notified by USAID that a pre-award survey is necessary, applicants must prepare in advance the required information and documents.

Prospective NGO applicants should refer to ADS Chapter 303.3.9.1 for additional information about pre-award surveys. A pre-award survey does not commit USAID to make an award to any entity.

End of Section C

SECTION D: APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Agency Points of Contact

Florentin Emini Acquisition and Assistance Specialist Email:femini@usaid.gov

Rade Knezevic Acquisition and Assistance Specialists Email: rknezevic@usaid.gov

2. Questions and Answers

Questions regarding this NOFO should be submitted via email to femini@usaid.gov and rknezevic@usaid.gov. no later than the date and time indicated on the cover letter. Any information given to a prospective Applicant concerning this NOFO will be furnished promptly to all other prospective Applicants as an amendment to this NOFO, if that information is necessary in submitting applications or if the lack of it would be prejudicial to any other prospective Applicant.

3. General Content and Form of Application

Preparation of Applications:

Each applicant must furnish the information required by this NOFO. Applications must be submitted in two separate parts:

● The Technical Application and

● The Cost Application.

This subsection addresses general content requirements for application.

Please see subsections 5 and 6, below, for information on the content specific to the Technical and Business (Cost) applications. The Technical application must address technical aspects only while the Business (Cost) Application must present the costs, and address risk and other related issues.

Both the Technical and Business (Cost) Applications must include a cover page containing the following information:

● Name of the organization(s) submitting the application;

● Identification and signature of the primary contact person (by name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone number and email address) and the identification of the alternate contact person (by name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone number and email address);

● Program name

● Notice of Funding Opportunity number

● Name of any proposed sub-recipients or partnerships (identify if any of the organizations are local organizations, per USAID’s definition of ‘local entity’ under ADS 303.

Any erasures or other changes to the application must be initialed by the person signing the application. Applications signed by an agent on behalf of the applicant must be accompanied by evidence of that agent’s authority, unless that evidence has been previously furnished to the issuing office.

Applications must comply with the following:

USAID will not review any pages in excess of the page limits noted in the subsequent sections.

Use standard 8 ½” x 11”, single sided, single-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1” margins, left justification and headers and/or footers on each page including consecutive page numbers, date of submission, and applicant’s name.

A 10 point font can be used for graphs and charts. Tables however, must comply with the 12 point Times New Roman requirement.

Submitted via Microsoft Word or PDF formats, except budget files which must be submitted in Microsoft Excel.

The estimated start date identified in Section B of this NOFO must be used in the cost application.

The technical application must be a searchable and editable Word or PDF format as appropriate.

The Cost Schedule must include an Excel spreadsheet with all cells unlocked and no hidden formulas or sheets. A PDF version of the Excel spreadsheet may be submitted in addition to the Excel version at the applicant’s discretion, however, the official cost application submission is the unlocked Excel version.

Applicants must review, understand, and comply with all aspects of this NOFO. Failure to do so may be considered as being non-responsive and may be evaluated accordingly. Applicants should retain a copy of the application and all enclosures for their records.

4. Application Submission Procedures

Applications in response to this NOFO must be submitted no later than the closing date and time indicated on the cover letter, as amended. Late applications will not be reviewed nor considered.

Applicants must retain proof of timely delivery in the form of system generated documentation of delivery receipt date and time/confirmation from the receiving office/certified mail receipt.

The application must be submitted by email to femini@usaid.gov and rknezevic@usaid.gov. Email submissions must include the NOFO number and applicant’s name in the subject line heading.

Application must be submitted as a consolidated email attachment, e.g. you must consolidate the various parts of application into a single document before sending it. If this is not possible, please provide instructions on how to collate the attachments. USAID will not be responsible for errors in compiling electronic applications if no instructions are provided or are unclear.

After submitting an application electronically, applicants should immediately check their own email to confirm that the attachments were indeed sent. If an applicant discovers an error in transmission, mailto:femini@usaid.gov please send the material again and note in the subject line of the email or indicate in the file name if submitted via grants.gov that it is a "corrected" submission. Do not send the same email more than once unless there has been a change, and if so, please note that it is a "corrected" email.

Applicants are reminded that email is NOT instantaneous, and in some cases delays of several hours occur from transmission to receipt. Therefore, applicants are requested to send the concept paper in sufficient time ahead of the deadline. For this NOFO, the initial point of entry to the government infrastructure is the USAID mail server.

There may be a problem with the receipt of *.zip files due to anti-virus software. Therefore, applicants are discouraged from sending files in this format as USAID/North Macedonia cannot guarantee their acceptance by the internet server. File size must not exceed 5MB.

SAM Requirements

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant is required to:

• Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;

• Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and

• Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

USAID will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifiers and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time USAID is ready to make an award, USAID may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

SAM registration: http://www.sam.gov

Non-U.S. applicants can find additional resources for registering in SAM, including a Quick Start Guide and a video on how to obtain an NCAGE code, on www.sam.gov, navigate to Help, then to International Registrants.

5. Technical Application Format Application Contents:

The Technical Application, at a minimum, must contain the following all of which count towards the 25 page limit:

a) Cover Page (not to exceed one page)

A single page with the project title and RFA number, the name of the organization applying as the lead or primary applicant clearly identified. Any proposed sub-awardees will be listed separately on the Cover Page. In addition, the Cover Page must provide a contact person for the prime applicant, including this individual’s name (both typed and his/her signature), title or position with the organization/institution, address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address. State whether the contact person is the person with authority to contract for the applicant, and if not, that person will http://www.sam.gov http://www.sam.gov also be listed with contact information. If applicable, the TIN and DUNS numbers of the applicant must also be listed on the cover page.

b) Table of Contents (not to exceed one page)

Listing all parts of the technical application with page numbers and attachments.

c) Cover Letter (not to exceed two pages)

Applicants must include a Cover Letter wherein applicants can highlight their approach, objectives, technical expertise in the technical areas.

d) Technical Approach (not to exceed 16 pages)

Applicants must describe in detail their proposed program and its technical approach; how they intend to achieve the program objectives and project principles as outlined in Section A Program Description and how the program will significantly contribute towards accomplishing the program’s proposed expected results. The program description should include targeted groups and areas of focus, and the proposed interventions and activities to be implemented during the life of the award.

The technical approach must also describe how the applicant will ensure sustainability of the activities and impact after the completion of the program.

The program description must establish the annual timeline for objectives in sufficient detail that indicate progress towards the activities that need to be performed to achieve objectives.

e) Management Plan (not to exceed three pages)

The applicant must articulate in the narrative how its organizational capacity and experience demonstrates the institutional capability to plan, implement, and support complex programming and the range of activities in this RFA. The applicant must make clear the delineation of roles, responsibilities, authority, and processes for decision making within the implementation team.

Beyond a narrative description, an organizational chart must be provided. The chart shall show the staff reporting lines and relationships between the different positions. The management plan should reflect USAID’s commitment to positive youth development.

f) Draft Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (not to exceed 3 pages).

A draft Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan shall be submitted with the application and shall include:

a. Specific, quantifiable performance indicators (outputs, outcomes, and impact) and targets for the overall objectives included in the original proposal and activities in annual work plans;

b. A description of monitoring systems to measure project progress against overall objectives; and

c. A plan for data collection and measurement of overall project outcomes and results, including collection of baseline data, and for the use of data collected by the project to improve program planning and performance.

g) Key Personnel (not to exceed two pages - excluding the CV.)

The applicant’s submission with respect to Key Personnel should include the following:

● Narrative insights on recruiting and retention of the Key Personnel.

● Demonstrated experience managing and implementing youth development projects.

● How Key Personnel will honor a positive youth development approach.

1. Chief of Party

The Chief of Party is responsible for the overall management, oversight, implementation, and reporting in accordance with the award and approved work plans. S/he must possess the following experience and qualifications, verifiable from his/her C.V. (maximum 3 pages):

Desired Qualifications for the COP:

● Relevant Master’s degree and ten years of exceptional experience leading donor-supported development programs of similar size and complexity, including work experience either in private sector engagement and/or skills development, Expertise in implementation and management of youth development projects.

● Understanding of the country’s economic and political context.

● Demonstrated ability to coordinate and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders including private sector, public agencies, companies, youth groups, CSOs, and other development partners.

● Demonstrated financial, human resources, procurement, and administration competences.

● Fluency in speaking and writing in English and exceptional presentation and communication skills. Fluency in English required and proficiency in Macedonian is highly encouraged.

● USAID has a strong preference for Local Chief of Party, but it is not required.

Other staff for and across components -

2. Component 1 Lead (Economic Opportunities Team Lead)

● Relevant Bachelor’s degree with at least seven years’ relevant experience to qualify as the Team Lead.

● Experience working in or with the private sector and a demonstrated understanding of private sector engagement principles.

● Demonstrated track record of working in teams and fostering partnerships, including private sector.

● Experience designing and implementing strategies that promote inclusive employment opportunities for youth.

● Experience working with youth entrepreneurs, preferred.

3. Component 2 Lead (Skills Development Team Lead)

● Relevant Bachelor’s degree with at least seven years’ relevant experience to qualify as the Team Lead.

● Demonstrated ability to design and deliver effective interventions in youth skills development.

● Experience designing and implementing programming focused on capacity building of organizations to deliver market relevant training.

● Proficiency in addressing factors that maximize social inclusion in economic and civic activities.

● Demonstrated experience in working effectively with diverse stakeholders.

● Demonstrated understanding of and passion for youth empowerment, workforce development, and soft skills training.

4. Component 3 Lead (Youth Engagement Team Lead)

● Relevant Bachelor’s degree with at least five years’ relevant experience to qualify as the Team Lead.

● Deep understanding of the best practices, approaches, and methodology in programming related to civic engagement, service learning, and/or youth engagement.

● Experience working in institutions with a focus on serving the needs of youth, particularly workforce-aged youth.

● Technical knowledge and experience in youth development, training, group facilitation, and related support services for youth from varying backgrounds, as well as proactive engagement with youth networks and organizations in the planning and implementation of project activities

● Deep appreciation for youth energy, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The applicant should maintain a non-exclusivity and should not provide C.V.s for the component leads at the application phase. The applicant will only have to explain the skills, knowledge and experience each component lead will possess. Once the activity is awarded, the applicant will identify the component leads who will be subject to the approval of the Agreement Officer with the concurrence of the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR).

h) Funding Restrictions

Profit is not allowable for recipients or subrecipients under this award. See 2 CFR 200.330 for assistance in determining whether a sub-tier entity is a subrecipient or contractor.

Construction is not authorized under this award.

USAID will not allow the reimbursement of pre-award costs under this award without the explicit written approval of the Agreement Officer.

Except as may be specifically approved in advance by the AO, all commodities and services that will be reimbursed by USAID under this award must be from the authorized geographic code specified in Section B.4 of this NOFO and must meet the source and nationality requirements set forth in 22 CFR 228.

Please note that the issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the U.S. Government, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. The applications are submitted at the risk of the submitter.