Question and Answer (2).pdf

Title: Women’s Empowerment Through Economic Inclusion

Funding Opportunity Number: SFOP0006965

Bureau: South and Central Asia (SCA)

Questions and Answers, May 28, 2020

Posted May 28, 2020

Question: As some organizations are unable to register as non-profits due to in-country sensitivities, would for-profit organizations be considered eligible?

Answer: The NOFO has been updated to open eligibility to for-profit organizations, with the caveat that those organizations can not generate income from the award.

Question: Is Afghanistan included in the program scope?

Answer: No, it is not.

Question: Does the proposal need to cover all of the listed initial beneficial countries, or would it be possible for a proposal to cover one or more with the capacity to expand?

Answer: The proposed activities must be able to include all of the initial beneficiary countries.

The proposal must also include a plan to expand activities to include other countries, including one or more Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member states, in the event that additional funding is received.

Question: Does the NOFO require a regional scope in implementation?

Answer: Yes, this is required. All of the initial beneficiary countries listed in the NOFO must be included in the proposal activities.

Question: Is it acceptable for the project design to focus on a single country?

Answer: No, this project must have a regional scope and cover all of the initial beneficiary countries.

Posted: June 8, 2020

Question: Can the applicant look to train the SMEs in sectors of its expertise? Excerpt for reference: "Conduct a pilot program with women’s SMEs that would ideally include a focus on the following sectors: COVID response, coastal tourism, disaster risk management, fisheries, aquaculture, ports management, shipping, and/or additional promising sectors where women’s businesses in the region may thrive."

Answer: The quoted list from the NOFO includes the preferred sectors that SCA would like covered in the proposal. However, the applicant may submit a proposal covering other or additional sectors not included in the initial list.

Question: Does the applicant have a choice of proposal execution in the countries of its choice and long-term expertise, or is it mandatory to work through local organizations for all 4 countries?

Answer: This opportunity does not require a specific method of implementation. As long as the requirements are met, it is up to the applicant.