GBV NOFO QnA Response Final.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues

Questions and Answers on Funding Opportunity SFOP0006573

“Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response”

Q1. Please advise if UN agencies are eligible to apply, and the locations for the implementation.

Given our limited resources and our close coordination with other USG donors which target public international organizations (PIOs), we defer to those entities on providing funds specifically available only to PIOs in order that we may provide opportunities to other civil society organizations. Therefore, PIOs are not eligible to apply to this NOFO as the prime applicant. Sub-recipients and subcontractors however, can be any type of organization.

Q2. Does a local NGO in Uganda qualify to apply?

A local NGO in Uganda is eligible to apply if it meets the requirements in the NOFO. The eligibility requirements listed on page 3 of the NOFO that state:

“Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to educational and research institutions and U.S. not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) subject to section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, and foreign not-for-profits/NGOs/social enterprises.”

Q3. I am writing with a query with regard to whether the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy applies to the current live opportunity: SFOP0006573 Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response.

We note that work to address sexual and gender-based violence is listed under Health in the Foreign Assistance Standardized Program Structure and as such we assume that the PLGHA policy would apply to any work funded under this current opportunity. However, we would be grateful for your confirmation on this issue.

The Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy does apply to this NOFO.

Q4. Can S/GWI please clarify its expectations in terms of target geographies? What are the criteria that S/GWI will be using to evaluate proposed geographies? Is S/GWI interested in particular countries or regions?

As noted in the executive summary of the NOFO on page 1, the target geography is continental

Africa, including northern African countries and sub-Saharan African countries.

Q5. Gender issues, CVE within Muslim communities benefit society at large. Therefore, as Muslim organizations, we have been addressing issues of FMG, EFM, CVE particularly from a religious and cultural Muslim perspective, and I'm concerned this may be miss-construed as "favoring one religion". Please clarify. A proposal that prioritizes collaboration or network-building between local CSOs, community groups, religious leaders, government entities, service providers, and advocates

As stated on page 2, applicants will need to present “A proposal that prioritizes collaboration or network-building between local CSOs, community groups, religious leaders, government entities, service providers, and advocates.” Also on page 5 we recognize that “Addressing these cycles of violence requires a comprehensive approach that engages women, girls, men, boys, families, communities, and political and religious leaders on systemic and cultural drivers.”

Q6. There are different lists that define Sub-Saharan Africa. Can you provide your list of countries, please?

As noted in the executive summary of the NOFO on page 1, the target geography is continental

Africa, including northern African countries and sub-Saharan African countries.

Q7. Is a non-profit organization located in a Sub Saharan Country eligible to apply as lead and implement activities in one country in Sub Saharan Africa?

An organization is eligible to apply if the meet the eligibility requirements outlined on page 3 of the NOFO.

Q8. Form 424b under No. 8 (d) is not giving any other options of countries other than the US, what should I do?

The applicants are required to fill, sign and date forms 424 A and 424B (please see instructions for both forms).

Q9. My question is whether a registered NGO in Somalia/Somaliland can apply for the grant mentioned above jointly with another INGO working on the same issue or forming a local NGO and INGO consortium and apply for the grant?

See response to Q7.

Q10. Are multi country bids allowed?

Yes, applications that target multiple countries in continental Africa are allowed.

Q11. Will you fund interventions that have a service delivery component or is the grant focused on building networks and capacity building for organizations?

As detailed in the lists of sample activities on pages 7 & 8, proposals should address the three objectives: 1) empower individual, 2) strengthen communities, and 3) build networks. Sample activities include capacity building for GBV-focused CSO/NGO networks which could include training CSOs his NOFO is focused on support of GBV-focused CSO/NGO networks not service delivery.

Q12. Are we allowed to focus on other GBV issues besides female genital mutilation and early marriage in our response to the opportunity?

Yes, as stated in the executive summary on page 1,”S/GWI seeks proposals that will address the needs of women and girls adversely impacted by GBV” including forms of GBV that are not FGM or EFM.

Q13. How important is the role of technology in our program design?

Proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria listed on pages 24 – 26. There is no specific eligibility criteria scoring use of technology.

Q14. Will consortia applications be accepted?

Consortia applications are accepted but a prime grant recipient must be meet the applicant eligibility criteria listed on page 3.

Q15. Is the application deadline expected to be impacted by the current pandemic?

The application deadline was extended by one week in response to the impact the current pandemic might have on applicant’s abilities to submit proposals. Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM, May 11, 2020.

Q16. Is the proposal narrative page limit 10 pages or 15 pages? The NOFO States 15 pages but the narrative instruction document states a project narrative is not to exceed 10 pages?

The proposal narrative page limit is 15 pages as stated in the NOFO.

Q17. Is there guidance on a page minimum / maximum for the gender analysis?

There is no page limit for the gender analysis.

Q18. Given the current efforts to minimize the risks of COVID-19 , is it possible to gather primary data in some locations. Is it permissible to focus on secondary data for the gender analysis that will be part of the application and then collect primary data at a later date?

The gender analysis should integrate primary data where possible and adhering to limitations placed on movement and gatherings in accordance with local and national governments. If virtual means are not possible, please detail the circumstances in the analysis.

Q19. What is the average award made through this funding?

As state on page 1 of the NOFO, the award is not to exceed $2,000,000 USD.

Q20. Is there a maximum amount of funding available per proposal?

See response to Q19.

Q21. On page 7, the NOFO states, “Exclusion and inequality, including gender inequality, are known drivers of conflict. Moreover, gender-based violence is often an indicator of a society’s vulnerability to violent extremism and conflict, and may be manipulated to inspire or exacerbate tensions and recruit fighters.” In light of this, can proposals target countries or areas within countries where conflict and violent extremism may not currently be prevalent or occurring, but which are at risk due to geographic proximity to countries already experiencing such issues? May proposals target areas based on widespread GBV alone? Targeting such areas could mitigate the risk of triggering conflict and violence.

As stated on pages 1, 8 and 10, S/GWI is seeking proposals supporting women and girls in communities, countries, and regions impacted by conflict and violent extremism. Proposals should indicate how communities, countries and/or regions targeted are impacted by conflict and violent extremism.

Q22. Is this opportunity open to countries, such as Benin, where there has been a spillover of violence and extremism from neighboring countries?

Please see responses to Q6 and Q21.

Q23. Does S/GWI have a preference for programs that are regional versus for a single-country?

There are no evaluation criteria that places preference on proposals targeting a single country or a regional approach.

Q24. Based on the NOFO statement on page 3, “The Recipient will work closely with S/GWI to design and implement targeted sub-grants to third-party organizations charged with programming along the agreed-upon interventions.” It seems that this NOFO requires local sub-partners who will be responsible for implementation. Please confirm this understanding.

S/GWI recognizes the importance of utilizing “an inclusive and localized approach” and in accordance with the substantial involvement clause of a cooperative agreement will review and approve all proposed sub-grantees.

Q25. Are country or multi-country programs expected to implement a similar program packet or may they implement different approaches in different circumstances?

Applicants are not required to propose one set of interventions for multiple countries.

Interventions should be effective and context specific, reflecting a consultative process.

Q26. On Page 26 of the NOFO, under Gender Analysis, Inclusion, Do no harm it states, “Application includes a plan for: a) conducting gender analyses for additional specific countries or geographic areas that may be added during implementation;” Is this requirement only for applications that propose working in multiple countries or do all applications need to be prepared for the possibility of working in additional countries should S/GWI decide that it be the case?

Applicants should be prepared to conduct a gender analysis for any countries where activities are planned. If additional countries are selected during grant implementation, the applicant will be required to complete additional gender analyses. Additional countries will be agreed upon by S/GWI and the implementing partner.