Attachment B - Amended Charcoal NOFO 72060525RFA00001.pdf

Issue Date: December 13, 2024 Deadline for Questions: December 28, 2024 Closing Date: February 14, 2025 Closing Time: 15:00 GMT +1

Subject: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number: 72060525RFA00001

Program Title: USAID/CARPE Promoting Alternative Technologies and Fuels to Reduce the Use of Charcoal for Cooking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Activity

Dear Applicant:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the USAID/CARPE Promoting Alternative Technologies and Fuels to Reduce the Use of Charcoal for Cooking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Activity.

Eligibility for this award is not restricted.

USAID intends to make a 5-Year, approximately $20,000,000.00 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 activity sought, application submission requirements, and selection process. The geographic code for the procurement of commodities and services under this program is 937.

To be eligible for award, the applicant must provide all information as required in this NOFO and meet the eligibility standards in Section B 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 NOFO and to ensure that it is downloaded 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 Support Center at +1-800- 518-4726 or via email at support@grants.gov for technical assistance or if you need assistive technology and are unable to access any material on this site.

Unless an exception in 2 CFR 25.110 applies, applicants must comply with 2 CFR 25 requirements to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), as applicable. See Section E, Submission Requirements and Deadlines, for more information. The registration process may take many weeks to complete. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to begin registration early.

http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov

Notice of Funding Opportunity No.: 72060525RFA00001 USAID/CARPE Promoting Alternative Technologies and Fuels to Reduce the Use of Charcoal for Cooking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Activity

Please send any questions to the point(s) of contact identified in Section A.4. 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.

English is the official language of all award documents. In the event of inconsistency between any terms of this NOFO and any translation into another language, the English language version will govern.

Issuance of this NOFO 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.

Thank you for your interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Jamie Lewis Agreement Officer Office of Acquisitions and Assistance USAID/Democratic Republic of the Congo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION A: BASIC INFORMATION………………………………………………………………………………………..… 4

SECTION B: ELIGIBILITY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

SECTION C: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION………………………………………………………………………………..…. 8

SECTION D: APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT……………………………………..……………………

SECTION E: SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES……………....…………………………………. 43

SECTION F: APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION……………………………………………………..………….. 45

SECTION G: AWARD NOTICES …………………………………………………………………………………………..….. 47

SECTION H: POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION……..……………………………….. 48

SECTION I: OTHER INFORMATION………………………………………………………..……………………………….. 54

ANNEXES: ………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………… 59

SECTION A: BASIC INFORMATION

1. Executive Summary

The objective of the USAID Promoting Alternative Technologies and Fuels to Reduce the Use of Charcoal for Cooking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo activity is to reduce deforestation and forest degradation by reducing the amount of charcoal that is used for cooking.

In the metropolitan area of Kinshasa there are around 17 million inhabitants (2021).

Approximately 97% of the population uses charcoal for cooking (to different levels and frequency), while only 12% of households use improved cookstoves. On average, a household uses 0.346 kg of charcoal and 0.016 kg of fuelwood daily in Kinshasa, which equates to 9.8 to 13.4 million tons of wood used annually. According to Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Kinshasa alone consumes around 18 million tons of charcoal annually. In the North Kivu city of Goma, there are around 2 million inhabitants (2022) and only 4.1% have access to electricity. Around 80% of Goma households use charcoal and firewood as the primary fuels for cooking. Because of the high-level use of charcoal for cooking in urban areas such as Kinshasa and Goma, it is important to address charcoal use as a key way to reduce deforestation and forest degradation.

2. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Award Contemplated

USAID intends to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID/DRC intends to provide approximately $20,000,000.00 in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period.

3. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Award

The anticipated period of performance is five (5) years. The estimated start date will be on or about May 2025. Specific dates will be provided at award.

4. Agency Point of Contacts

1) Jamie Lewis, Agreement Officer jamilewis@usaid.gov

2. Malu Boyenge

Acquisition and Assistance Specialist mboyenge@usaid.gov mailto:jamilewis@usaid.gov mailto:mboyenge@usaid.gov

5. Acquisition and Assistance Ombudsman

The A&A Ombudsman helps ensure equitable treatment of all parties who participate in USAID’s acquisition and assistance process. The A&A Ombudsman serves as a resource for organizations who are doing or wish to do business with USAID. Please visit this page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman.

The A&A Ombudsman may be contacted via Ombudsman@usaid.gov.

6. Authorized Geographic Code

The geographic code for the procurement of commodities and services under this program is 937 defined as the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source. Except as may be specifically approved in advance by the Agreement Officer, all commodities and services that will be reimbursed by USAID under this award must be from the authorized geographic code specified in this NOFO and must meet the source and nationality requirements set forth in 22

CFR 228.

Procurement of vehicles and pharmaceuticals and other restricted commodities are subject to the limitations in 22 CFR 228, ADS 312, and ADS 310 and may require a waiver or AO’s approval.

For accurate identification of prohibited sources, please refer to 22 CFR 228 and Automated Directive System (ADS) 310 entitled “Source and Nationality Requirements for Procurement of Commodities and Services Financed by USAID.

Code 937 (the United States, the recipient country, and developing countries other than advanced developing countries, but excluding any country that is a prohibited source) is the authorized USAID Principal Geographic Code for the procurement of commodities and services:

[END OF SECTION A]

https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/acquisition-assistance-ombudsman mailto:Ombudsman@usaid.gov

SECTION B: ELIGIBILITY

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted. USAID/CARPEwelcomes applications from all organizations, including organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from

USAID.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing is not anticipated under this activity.

3. Other Information

a. Potential New Implementing Partners

In support of the Agency‘s interest in fostering a larger assistance base and expanding the number and sustainability of development partners, USAID/CARPE encourages applications from potential new implementing partners. However, resultant awards to these organizations may be significantly delayed if USAID must undertake necessary pre-award reviews of these organizations to determine their “risk assessment” (see below). Non-U.S. Organization Pre-award Survey Guidelines and Support is available in the following link:

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/303sam_092823.pdf

b. Pre-Award Risk Assessment

In order for an award to be made, the AO must evaluate risk in accordance with the principles in 2 CFR 200.206 as discussed in ADS 303.3.9. This means that the applicant must possess, or have the ability to obtain, the necessary capacity and resources to carry out the activity in accordance with award requirements. The applicant must agree to practice mutually agreed-upon methods of accountability and other assets provided or funded by USAID/CARPE.

In the absence of a positive risk assessment, an award can ordinarily not be made. However, in rare cases, an award can be made with “Specific Conditions” (e.g., additional non-standard award requirements designed to minimize the risk presented to USAID of making an award to an organization for which a positive risk assessment cannot be made), but only where it appears likely that the applicant can correct the deficiency in a reasonable period.

c. Construction

Construction is not authorized under this NOFO. No construction will be funded and any construction funded under this award will be deemed an unallowable cost. Construction is defined as construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging and excavation) of buildings, structures, or other real property and includes, without limitation, new structures, improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment. The term includes, without limitation, https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/303sam_092823.pdf roads, power plants, buildings, bridges, water and treatment facilities, pipe systems, and vertical structures.” As used in this definition, the phrase “improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment” includes “any betterment or change to an existing property to allow its continued or more efficient use within its designed purpose (renovation), or for the use of a different purpose or function (alteration). Improvements also include improvements to or upgrading of primary mechanical, electrical, or other building systems. ‘Improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment’ does not include non-structural cosmetic work, including painting, floor covering, wall coverings, window replacement that does not include changing the size of the window opening, replacement of plumbing or conduits that does not affect structural elements, and non-load bearing walls or fixtures (e.g., shelves, signs, lighting, etc.). Construction includes new structures, wastewater treatment facilities, water supply systems such as groundwater wells.

d. Substantial Involvement

Consistent with ADS303.3.11, USAID/DRC will be substantially involved in the implementation of this Activity. The intended purpose of the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) involvement during the implementation of the activity is to assist the recipient in achieving the supported objectives. Substantial involvement will cover the following areas:

1. Approval of Key Personnel

2. Approval of the Recipient’s Implementation Plans by the Agreement Officer’s

Representative (AOR) and any significant adaptations.

3. Approval of the Recipient’s Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning PLan (AMELP) by the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and any significant adaptations.

4. Agency and Recipient Collaboration or Joint Participation:

a. Collaborative involvement in selection of advisory committee members, if the program will establish an advisory committee that provides advice to the recipient. USAID may participate as a member of this committee as well. Advisory committees must only deal with programmatic or technical issues and not routine administrative matters.

b. Approval of subaward activities not proposed in the application and approved in the Federal award.

c. Monitoring by the AOR to authorize specified kinds of direction or redirection because of interrelationships with other projects. USAID monitoring will be required throughout the period of performance to continually facilitate its funding with that of other donors and activities.

5. Agency Authority to Immediately Halt a Construction Activity: The Agreement Officer reserves the right to halt construction activities under the award, if applicable.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C: 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.

1. TITLE OF ACTIVITY:

USAID/CARPE Promoting Alternative Technologies and Fuels to Reduce the Use of Charcoal for Cooking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Activity

2. GOAL / OBJECTIVES

The goal is to reduce deforestation and forest degradation due to charcoal production and consumption in priority cities in the DRC. To achieve this goal, four objectives have been identified:

● Reduce the use of charcoal for cooking in households and business activities.

● Improve the business environment for the charcoal alternative industry.

● Support the private sector to scale up low emissions charcoal alternative technologies and fuels.

● Support charcoal producers to transition to alternative sustainable livelihoods and improve efficiency of charcoal production.

These goals will be achieved by focusing on four intermediates results (IR):

● IR 1. Charcoal consumption in targeted urban and peri-urban cities is reduced

● IR 2. Business and regulations environment for the charcoal and alternative industry is strengthened

● IR 3. Private sector-led low emissions charcoal alternative technologies and fuels for clean cooking are supported

● IR 4. Alternative sustainable livelihoods and charcoal production efficiency are supported

3. BACKGROUND

This activity will address the core development problem of deforestation. Charcoal will continue to be used for cooking until access and prices of other alternative low emission technologies and fuels such as LPG and electricity become more reliable and affordable. Therefore, the approach for addressing this problem will include working with the private sector to introduce to local markets and supply chains low emission technologies and alternative cooking fuels that are both reliable and affordable such as low emission and energy saving cook stoves and alternative cooking fuels such as ethanol, biogas, and LPG, respectively. This activity aims to identify the right balance of low emission technologies and alternative cooking fuels needed to achieve measurable reductions in charcoal use while at the same time minimizing negative economic impacts on households, markets, supply chains, and on people’s lives.

Other potential challenges this Activity aims to address:

● An unfavorable business environment for the charcoal alternatives industry like LPG and electrical power.

● Low public awareness of the overall negative impacts of widespread charcoal production on forests.

● Large amounts of wood are used in charcoal production.

● Lack of traceability system of the charcoal value chain.

● Lack of alternatives to charcoal producers in transitioning to alternative sustainable livelihoods.

In the metropolitan area of Kinshasa there are around 17 million inhabitants (2021).

Approximately 97% of the population uses charcoal for cooking (to different levels and frequency), while only 12% of households use improved cookstoves. On average, a household uses 0.346 kg of charcoal and 0.016 kg of fuelwood daily in Kinshasa, which equates to 9.8 to 13.4 million tons of wood used annually. According to Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Kinshasa alone consumes around 18 million tons of charcoal annually. In the North Kivu city of Goma, there are around 2 million inhabitants (2022) and only 4.1% have access to electricity. Around 80% of Goma households use charcoal and firewood as the primary fuels for cooking. Because of the high-level use of charcoal for cooking in urban areas such as Kinshasa and Goma, it is important to address charcoal use as a key way to reduce deforestation and forest degradation.

In Kisangani, charcoal is the primary fuel source for cooking in most households, with approximately 80% of families relying on it. This translates to an annual demand of over 2.7 million cubic meters of wood used for fuel. Despite the widespread use of traditional cookstoves, which are inefficient and environmentally damaging, only about 16% of households use improved cookstoves. These stoves can reduce charcoal consumption by up to 36%, making them a more sustainable option, but their adoption is limited due to cost and availability challenges.

Charcoal and firewood, when used as the primary fuels for cooking, emit a range of hazardous air pollutants that can cause respiratory illness and even death especially among sensitive groups such as children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with lung and heart diseases. Cooking with charcoal and firewood emits PM2.5 (particulate matter size of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter), PM10 (particulate matter size of 10 micrometers or less in diameter), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), among other harmful air pollutants, that can cause respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The negative impacts on women’s health are especially significant since women from the Congo Basin and throughout the African continent often support their livelihoods and families with income generated from cooking using charcoal and firewood as fuels. In fact, source reconciliation studies show that open fires contribute the majority share (~54%) of harmful air pollution in the DRC, with polluting fuel used for cooking responsible for around 12% of all PM pollution. Because this activity will reduce the use of charcoal for cooking, charcoal source distribution to harmful air pollution in urban and peri-urban areas is expected to also decrease, although only slightly.

Several of the benefits of reducing charcoal use for cooking are the prevention of respiratory illnesses, the reduced number of hospital visits especially for children and older adults, and the overall protection of women’s health from reduced exposure to charcoal burning emissions in both indoor and outdoor air. It is important to note here that the Activity will not be tracking health related outcomes since polluting fuel use (wood and charcoal burning) contributes ~12% of PM air pollution in the DRC, while other major sources include regional agriculture burning and in urban areas vehicular emissions.

The health impacts of charcoal burning are minor in comparison to the health impacts attributable to other air pollution sources, mainly emissions from energy production, industry, agriculture, transportation, and open burning, which contribute ~88% of PM pollution in the DRC.

There is no clear method to distinguish the extent of charcoal burning respiratory impacts from that of other emission sources especially in DRC urban and peri-urban areas where air quality is regularly ranging between Unhealthy to Hazardous according to US EPA’s AirNow air quality monitoring data from the US Embassy Kinshasa.

This Activity builds on the evidence and lessons learned from the USAID/DRC funded private-sector Bboxx Pay-Go Liquid Petroleum Gas activity (2020-2023). With Bboxx, the use of LPG fuel for cooking in Goma households resulted in a 35% decline in charcoal use in households and an increase of 12% for LPG used for cooking in Bukavu and Goma cities over the 3-year activity period. These results were achieved despite a range of logistical, technical and financial challenges encountered by the LPG provider. This Activity aims to build on those results to achieve measurable reductions in charcoal use and therefore reduce deforestation around target cities.

This Activity will also build on other lessons learned from the Pay-Go Liquid Petroleum Gas activity, which include:

● The majority of households apply a mix of energy sources for cooking, including charcoal, wood and electricity;

● Households are migrating to LPG because it's cleaner and faster for cooking;

● Access to LPG remains a challenge for poor households;

● Pay as you go technology can help expand LPG fuel adoption;

https://www.airnow.gov/international/us-embassies-and-consulates/

● Migration to LPG allows saving funds on charcoal but not on overall energy consumption for cooking; and

● Perception of risks associated with the use of LPG by households was significantly reduced among users.

In addition to using LPG as an alternative fuel to charcoal for cooking, this Activity should incorporate the deployment of alternative technologies such as improved cookstoves, as a means to boost charcoal burning efficiency and to decrease charcoal use. Activity interventions should consider the results of previous USAID funded study by Kreiger et al. (2022) which found that:

● DRC has enormous untapped hydroelectric potential, yet transmission and distribution costs are high and electrical power is not always a viable option as a power source.

● Congolese often prefer to cook some foods with wood or charcoal. The design team identifies that this might pose a cultural challenge, however, it is one that can be overcome through the potential adoption of the new technologies and fuels that will be employed in this activity.

● The adoption of efficient improved stoves will require mass manufacturing. This presents a potential challenge; however, because there are many different cookstove models in the market, this activity will focus on deploying some of the most energy efficient cookstoves; and

● Stakeholders should promote the use of more efficient charcoal kilns and charcoal production practices to reduce wood consumption.

This activity will contribute to achieving the CARPE IV Vision overarching goal and themes: A Congo Basin with healthy ecosystems and dynamic local leadership that supports stability and prosperity in communities. This activity will address the Vision’s Theme 1: Land governance works for biodiversity and forests. Under this theme, this activity will mobilize innovative, international sustainable financing for forest management and biodiversity conservation. Sustainable forest management will reduce charcoal production, deforestation and forest degradation. This Activity will also address the Vision’s Theme 4: Green enterprises and markets work for biodiversity and forests. Under this theme, this activity will support conservation-friendly enterprises and market systems as viable alternatives to extraction. Private sector-led alternative technologies and fuels for clean cooking will be supported. A part of this activity will include efforts to improve green charcoal production in commercial tree plantations as opposed to using wood from primary forests.

This Activity supports the USAID/DRC’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). This activity will address Development Objective (DO) 2 - community resilience to shocks and stressors increased. Under DO2, this objective will provide alternative technologies and fuels for cooking and by increasing these cooking options it will positively impact the resilience of households and businesses that are already heavily reliant on charcoal. This Activity will also address DO3 -inclusive, broad-based, and sustainable economic growth is increased. Under DO3, this activity will expand the use of alternative energy sources and alternative technologies for cooking, which in turn will develop alternative livelihoods by creating jobs in the sustainable alternative fuel sources (e.g., LPG, solar, biogas, ethanol) and technology (e.g., efficient electric devices, solar panels, biogas digesters) sectors and their value chains. By deploying improved charcoal kilns in commercial plantation operations, this activity will not only improve charcoal production by using sustainably grown materials but also drive down charcoal production costs, increase operating margins, and reduce waste though higher efficiencies. The business environment for the charcoal alternative industry will be strengthened to reduce negative impact on the local economies.

This Activity supports USAID’s Climate Strategy (2022-2030) and contributes to the following targets:

● Mitigation – 6 billion metric tons of CO2e will be reduced.

● Natural and managed ecosystems – 100 million hectares will be restored or managed.

● Finance – 150 billion of public and private finance will be mobilized; and

● Country support – 80 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will be supported.

4. OPERATING PRIORITIES AND GUIDANCE

a. Private Sector Engagement

Working with private sector players will help scale the deployment of alternative technologies and fuels by leveraging their distribution networks and market knowledge. Engaging the private sector is vital for the success of this activity. By leveraging the expertise, resources, and innovation of private sector partners, the Activity’s reach, impact, and sustainability will be enhanced. The Applicant will identify and partner with key private sector entities that can significantly contribute to the project’s objectives. This includes:

● Technology Providers: Companies that develop and manufacture clean cooking technologies, such as improved cookstoves, e-cooking and solar cookers.

● Fuel Suppliers: Businesses involved in producing and distributing alternative fuels like biomass, biogas, ethanol, and LPG.

By articulating the mutual benefits, USAID/CARPE anticipates that this Activity will generate strong interest from private sector partners. Private sector partnerships should be incorporated into the Activity in the areas of market expansion, increased revenue, and enhanced corporate social responsibility.

Leveraging private sector resources and innovation will help to accelerate the deployment of alternative technologies and fuels, ensuring greater impact and sustainability. By aligning USAID/CARPE’s goals with the interests and capabilities of private sector partners, this Activity will drive reductions in charcoal use, foster sustainable practices, and achieve lasting impact.

b. Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA)

Promoting alternative technologies and fuels to reduce charcoal use in the DRC, a robust framework of collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) is essential to ensure its success and sustainability of the activity. The Applicant must ensure that a strong CLA approach is in place to enhance effectiveness, foster innovation, and ensure continuous improvement throughout the lifetime of the activity.

The Activity will engage with local communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector stakeholders to enhance the Activity’s reach and impact. Collaboration with householders will ensure that the technologies and fuels are tailored to their specific needs and preferences, fostering greater acceptance and adoption.

Continuous learning is a key component of adapting and improving the activity. USAID/CARPE expects to establish mechanisms for regular feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders allowing for real-time insights into the project's effectiveness and areas for improvement. This includes collecting and analyzing data on the adoption rates, user satisfaction, and environmental impacts of the alternative technologies and fuels. Lessons learned from past performance and initial rollouts will be systematically documented and used to refine strategies and enhance implementation.

The Activity should incorporate built-in adaptability to allow for adjustments based on feedback and changing conditions. This will involve regularly reviewing activity results, assessing the impact of implemented changes, and making necessary modifications as needed. For example, if certain technologies are found to be less effective or less accepted than anticipated, the Activity may pivot to alternative solutions or adjust implementation methods.

c. Climate Change Resilience and Sustainability

The Activity aims to promote alternative technologies and fuels to reduce charcoal use for cooking in the DRC. This Activity is inherently aligned with the principles of climate change resilience and sustainability. By transitioning away from charcoal, which is a major driver of deforestation, forest degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions across the Congo Basin, the project directly contributes to mitigating climate change impacts.

The adoption of cleaner and more efficient cooking technologies reduces the strain on local forests, thus preserving vital carbon sinks and enhancing biodiversity. Furthermore, these alternative fuels and technologies are designed to be sustainable, incorporating renewable resources and promoting efficient energy use. This not only curtails carbon emissions but also reduces the environmental degradation associated with traditional charcoal production. By improving cooking efficiency and fuel sustainability, the activity fosters greater resilience within communities, enabling them to adapt to the changing climate while simultaneously securing a healthier and more sustainable future. Through these combined efforts, this Activity supports both immediate and long-term environmental goals, contributing to global climate action and local ecological preservation.

d. Gender

This Activity will place strong effort in addressing the needs of women, youth, indigenous and other marginalized persons as outlined in the gender analysis during the activity design. A critical component of the approach of this project is gender integration, ensuring that both men and women benefit equally from the project's initiatives, this is essential for the success of this project. By addressing the specific needs and roles of both men and women, USAID aims to ensure that the benefits of the activity are equitably distributed and that it contributes to broader USAID’s gender equality goals.

Based on data collected in previous activity aiming to reduce the use of charcoal for cooking, USAID understood the distinct roles and responsibilities of men and women within the context of cooking and fuel use. In many households in the DRC, women are primarily responsible for cooking and managing household energy needs, while men often handle financial decisions and resource management.

This Activity will conduct research to map out gender roles related to cooking and fuel use to help USAID/CARPE and USAID/DRC to better understand how these roles influence access to and control over resources. The Applicant should engage with local communities, households through focus groups and interviews to gain insights into gender-specific needs, preferences, and constraints. Feedback will be incorporated into the project planning. It is important to ensure that alternative cooking technologies and fuels are designed with user needs in mind, making them accessible and practical for women who are typically the primary users.

This Activity aims to address barriers for access to alternatives to charcoal. In accordance with this goal, the Applicant should identify and address barriers that may prevent women from fully participating in the activity, such as cultural norms or logistical challenges and ensure that both men and women are represented in activity implementation teams and decision-making processes.

e. Target Population and Geographic Location

The geographic area for this activity is the cities of Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, and Kisangani in the DRC and their surrounding areas, including their charcoal supply basins. The activity will impact approximately 500,000 residents. These urban area residents are the primary users of charcoal for cooking, which is trucked into the city through supply lines that originate from forested rural areas well beyond the city limits. Local economies, markets, sellers, and consumers of these cities and their surrounding areas will be impacted negatively if the charcoal market is reduced, and alternative livelihoods and alternative energy means are not provided.

This Activity will focus on the demand side in addition to the production and supply side of the charcoal industry. This approach addresses the charcoal production industry, charcoal production efficiency, and alternative livelihoods for charcoal producers. This Activity will require collaboration with charcoal suppliers, in particular, plantation owners that generally operate outside of city limits in peri-urban and rural areas where charcoal is produced within commercial tree plantations using their own sustainably grown resources.

The Applicant should work with commercial plantations to assist them to produce charcoal in a sustainable manner - using only wood produced from within the commercial tree plantation, relying strictly on their own sustainably managed orchards, and using methods that optimize charcoal production while at the same time reducing the mass of materials used for making charcoal. The goal is to increase the ratio of commercial plantation sustainably produced “green” charcoal to illegally harvested charcoal that enters the marketplace. This will also include integrating systems for monitoring the supply chain to ensure that charcoal entering the market is sustainably sourced, supporting efforts to develop a pilot approach to charcoal product traceability, and labeling of charcoal products in priority cities, while at the same time defining a strategy to address charcoal issues at the provincial level.

5. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

This Activity aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation by reducing charcoal that is used for cooking through the promotion of alternative technologies and fuels and improving the enabling environment for alternatives to the charcoal industry.

The Theory of Change (TOC) states that: “IF a strong business enabling environment for private sector led, low emissions charcoal alternative technologies and fuels is established, and IF charcoal alternatives are affordable, accessible and acceptable for households and small businesses, THEN the demand for and use of charcoal for cooking will be reduced in the target urban and peri-urban area and deforestation will be mitigated.”

The goal is to reduce deforestation and forest degradation due to charcoal production and consumption in priority cities in the DRC. To achieve this goal, four objectives have been identified:

● Reduce the use of charcoal for cooking in households and business activities.

● Improve the business environment and regulatory framework for the charcoal and alternative industry.

● Provide support to the private sector to scale up low emissions charcoal alternative technologies and/or fuels.

● Support charcoal producers to transition to alternative sustainable livelihoods and improve efficiency of charcoal production.

These objectives are aligned with the CARPE IV Vision, its overarching goal and themes: A Congo Basin with healthy ecosystems and dynamic local leadership that supports stability and prosperity in communities. This activity will address:

● Vision Theme 1: Land governance works for biodiversity and forests. Under this theme, the activity approach will include mobilizing innovative, international sustainable financing for forest management and biodiversity conservation. Sustainable forest management will reduce charcoal production and deforestation.

● Vision Theme 4: Green enterprises and markets work for biodiversity and forests. Under this theme, the activity approach will entail supporting conservation-friendly enterprises and market systems as viable alternatives to extraction. Private sector-led alternative technologies and fuels for clean cooking will be supported.

6. INTERMEDIATE RESULTS

The objectives will be achieved by focusing on four intermediate results (IR) indicated in the results framework below.

● IR 1. Charcoal consumption in targeted urban and peri-urban cities reduced.

● IR 2. The business and regulations environment for the charcoal and alternative industry strengthened.

● IR 3. Private sector-led alternative technologies and fuels for clean cooking are supported.

● IR 4. Alternative sustainable livelihoods and charcoal production efficiency supported.

● IR 1. Charcoal consumption in targeted urban and peri-urban cities is reduced: This IR will focus on increasing the number of households and businesses that use alternative technologies and fuels for cooking but also increase public awareness and perception on the negative impact of charcoal on the primary forest. Two Sub IRs are expected under the intermediate result:

→ Sub-IR 1.1 Increase the use of alternative technologies and fuels for cooking.

→ Sub-IR 2.1 Increase the public perception on the negative impact of charcoal on forests.

● IR 2. Business and regulations environment for the charcoal and alternative industry strengthened: Under this IR the Applicant will identify barriers to scale up charcoal alternative technologies and fuels and work with different stakeholders including the government to address them. This will lead to the establishment of charcoal alternatives industries that are economically viable. Through this IR, the Applicant will strengthen regulations and enforcement that may include developing policies to regulate charcoal production, value chains, and trade, ensuring it is sourced sustainably or implementing traceability systems and licensing schemes to monitor and control illegal logging and charcoal production. Three Sub IRs are expected under the intermediate result:

→ Sub-IR 2.1 Barriers to scale up charcoal alternative technologies are removed.

→ Sub-IR 2.2 Charcoal alternative industry is growing and economically viable.

→ Sub-IR 2.3 Charcoal regulations are strengthened and enforced.

● IR 3. Private sector-led alternative technologies and fuels for clean cooking are supported: Through the partnership with private sector, the support will be provided to scale up alternative technology and fuel for clean cooking and raise additional capital to support clean cooking business (example carbon market). Two Sub IRs are expected under the intermediate result:

→ Sub-IR 3.1 Private sectors scale up alternative technology and fuel for clean cooking.

→ Sub-IR 3.2 Additional capital is raised to support the clean cooking business.

● IR 4. Alternative sustainable livelihoods and charcoal production efficiency supported:

Particular attention will be paid to those who work in charcoal production as a means of survival. A particular support will be provided to transition to alternative sustainable livelihoods, and improve charcoal production methods to reduce the volume of wood consumed for charcoal production. Three Sub IRs are expected under the intermediate result:

→ Sub-IR.4.1 30% of charcoal producers in the selected areas are engaged in alternative sustainable livelihoods.

→ Sub-IR 4.2 Increased adoption of improved kilns among charcoal producers.

→ Sub-IR.4.3 The proportion of sustainably produced charcoal on the local market is increasing.

Activities to be Supported

The key activities that will be supported through this activity include:

● Support charcoal substitutes and require little or no wood additives.

● Use an energy substance or material other than charcoal for cooking or other common uses.

● Use of a tool or technique that reduces the amount of charcoal used for cooking.

● Provide training for community members on the use and maintenance of new technologies, as well as the benefits of alternative fuels.

● Advocate for supportive policies by working with government and policy-makers to promote policies that support the adoption of clean cooking technologies and fuels.

● To secure funding from impact investors who are aligned with the business's mission of promoting clean cooking solutions (ex. Carbon Credit Sales or Carbon Offset Partnerships).

● Engage in policy dialogues by participating in discussions and forums to advocate for sustainable energy solutions and environmental conservation.

● Promote an innovative method of charcoal production that saves the amount of raw wood needed.

● Develop policies that regulate charcoal production, value chains, and promote sustainable practices.

● Implement traceability systems and licensing schemes to monitor and control illegal charcoal production.

● Implement campaigns to educate communities about the environmental and health benefits of switching to alternative technologies and fuels.

● Training charcoal producers in improved production methods to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

7. COORDINATION AND COMPLEMENTARITY WITH BEST PRACTICES, POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES

a) Policies

The following USAID policies, best practices, and concepts are relevant to this activity, and should be integrated throughout the Activity’s technical approach.

1) USAID Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy (2023)

2) USAID’s Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2020)

3) USAID’s Biodiversity Policy (2021)

4) USAID Climate Strategy 2022–2030

5) People to People Peacebuilding and Do No Harm

6) Inclusive Development

b) Collaboration with Partners and Donors

USAID encourages the Applicant to find linkages with USAID and other donor activities to maximize synergies, deconflict programming, and incorporate lessons learned.The Applicant is also encouraged to plan for collaboration with other USAID Activities as appropriate, including but not limited to:

https://www.usaid.gov/gender-policy https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1866/USAID-IndigenousPeoples-Policy-mar-2020.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/USAID%20Biodiversity%20Policy%20-%20June%202015.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/policy/climate-strategy https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1866/CMMP2PGuidelines2010-01-19.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/inclusivedevelopment

● USAID’s Virunga Development Activity: This Activity has a dual goal to preserve the natural resources of the Virunga National Park (VNP) and reduce conflict in its surrounding region. One of the pillars of the Virunga Alliance program is to first, give access to affordable and sustainable electricity to the Northern-Kivu population, coupled with access to credit. Second, to strengthen law enforcement and security to halt the degradation of ecosystems and contribute to economic growth in North Kivy as well as securing self-financing activities.

● USAID’s Forest and Biodiversity Support Activity: This Activity works to provide technical support services for the protection of biodiversity and support conservation and sustainable landscape initiatives for the Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE). FABS builds local capacity and partnership to increase buy-in, benefit, scale and sustainability, to undertake policy and economic analysis and improved policy implementation at provincial scales, not necessarily at the national level, and improves communications, knowledge flow and learning across the program.

● USAID’s Garamba Alliance Activity: This Activity aims to conserve biodiverse ecosystems and improve the well-being and prosperity of the communities that depend on them in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Garamba Alliance brings together both private and public sector organizations to forge a common vision for the area and work together to ensure sustainable development and biodiversity conservation in the region.

The Applicant should also coordinate with other donors including the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO has identified that clean fuels and clean technologies can be deployed in the field with success. The clean fuels list includes biomass gasifiers (pellets), alcohol fuels including ethanol and LPG. The clean technologies list includes efficient electric devices, solar panels, biogas digesters, and biomass stoves classified as Tier 4 or 5 for PM2.5 emissions and tier 5 for carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. Applicants should consider these clean fuels and clean technologies in their technical approach.

The Applicant should strive to build a broad alliance of stakeholders, including other donors and Embassies, the private sector, Foundations, United Nations agencies, and others to enhance development impact.

[END OF SECTION C]

SECTION D: APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

1. General Content and Form of Application

Preparation of Applications (Technical and Cost):

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

(a) The Technical Application, and

(b) The Business (Cost) Application.

This subsection addresses general content requirements applying to the full application. Please see subsections below, for information on the content specific to the Technical and Business (Cost) applications. The Technical application must address technical (e.g., programmatic aspects) only while the Business (Cost) Application must present the budget and budget narrative, address risk, and include required standard forms and certifications.

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

● Name and address of the Prime Organization submitting the application,

● Names and addresses of the Partner Organizations,

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

● Identification of the primary contact person (by name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone number, and email address) for the Partner Organizations,

● Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number for the Prime and Partner Organizations, if available,

● Program name,

● Notice of Funding Opportunity number,

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

Any erasures or other changes to the application must be initiated 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.

Applicants must provide technical applications in English.

Applications must comply with the following:

● USAID will not review any pages in excess of the page limits noted in the subsequent sections. Please ensure that the application complies with the page limitations,

● Applications must be submitted in English,

● Legible font and headers and/or footers on each page including consecutive page numbers, date of submission, and Applicant’s name,

● Single spaced and not less than 12-point, Calibri font for all narratives, and 1” margins,

● Not less than 10-point, Calibri font for graphics/charts and tables,

● All documents should be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF accessible formats,

● The Technical Application must be a searchable and editable Word or PDF accessible format,

● The Cost Application must include an Excel spreadsheet with all cells unlocked and no hidden formulas and 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 Budget submission is the unlocked Excel version.

● Budget amounts must be detailed in U.S. Dollars.

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 Technical and Budget application and all enclosures for their records.

English is the official language of all award documents. In the event of inconsistency between any terms of this NOFO solicitation and any translation into another language, the English language version will govern.

2. Technical Application Format

2.1. Content of Technical Application

The technical application should be specific, complete, and presented concisely. The application must demonstrate the Applicant's capabilities and expertise with respect to achieving the goals of this activity. The application should take into account the requirements of the activity and merit review criteria found in this NOFO.

2.2 Organization of Technical Application

The technical application must not be more than 15 (fifteen) pages, not including the cover page, table of contents, acronym list, Executive Summary, and Annexes.