RFI- 72027624RFI00001- Countering Violent Extremism in Northeast Syria Among the Youth 07.24.2024.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Document Type: Request for Information/Sources Sought Notice Reference Number: 72027624RFI00001 Issued Date: July 24, 2024 Responses Due: August 24, 2024

Subject: RFI/SSN: Countering Violent Extremism in Northeast Syria Among the Youth

INTRODUCTION

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks insights on effective strategies to combat violent extremism, particularly among youth, in non-regime areas of Syria with a particular focus on the northeast (NES). The questions included in Attachment 1 aim to gather information on factors contributing to youth vulnerability to violent extremism. Additionally, the RFI seeks to explore potential partnerships and strategies to engage local communities, public institutions, and the private sector in building youth resilience against extremist messaging and recruitment efforts.

By understanding these dynamics, USAID/Syria aims to develop comprehensive, community-driven approaches to prevent youth radicalization and support sustainable peace in the region.

BACKGROUND

The ongoing conflict in Syria has cast a long shadow over NES, leaving the region marked by instability and unique challenges. Many families still grapple with the devastating aftermath of ISIS control, enduring the loss of loved ones and the destruction of their homes. The complex web of ethnicities, political and military factions, and weak local governance structures within NES creates further uncertainty, making the path toward peace and a stable transition difficult to navigate.

Despite these formidable obstacles, there is a critical need to build a more resilient and cohesive society throughout Syria, particularly in NES. Civil society organizations (CSOs) and local structures are working towards a more sustainable future. However, ongoing financial hardships, vulnerability to recurring droughts, military offensives, and other destabilizing factors increase the population's susceptibility to malign actors' influence and extremist messaging. This is especially true for youth, who face a unique set of challenges in NES.

While Syrian civil society, especially in NES, remains in its nascent stages, there are examples of CSOs, citizen groups, and the local private sector stepping up to promote community resilience.

They are assuming roles traditionally held by local governments and traditional leaders, delivering essential services, and partnering with local authorities. These groups are carving out crucial spaces for citizen engagement in local affairs and have significant potential to mobilize local actors and resources to enhance community resilience, development, and overall social cohesion.

The context in NES underscores the critical need to engage Syrian youth as part of the stabilization process. Rather than leaving them to struggle with the hardships of war and exposure to extremist ideologies and recruitment dangers, fostering their involvement is essential.

USAID’s Intentions

One of USAID’s primary objectives in Syria is to defeat ISIS and other violent extremist actors by enhancing the population's resilience against these threats. As part of this effort, USAID/Syria is considering a countering violent extremism (CVE) initiative focused on youth. This initiative aims to build upon and complement current efforts to mitigate the drivers of violent extremism in NES by fostering partnerships with communities, the private sector, and local authorities to create positive opportunities for youth.

The envisioned activity seeks to enhance economic, cultural, and civic engagement opportunities for youth, instilling a sense of worth and belonging that would reduce their vulnerabilities to extremist messaging and recruitment efforts, thereby promoting stability and resilience in Syria and the region.

Through this RFI, USAID seeks information to contribute to the design of a youth-focused CVE activity that addresses the factors attracting individuals to violent extremism and hindering local development and peace. The proposed activity will specifically focus on identifying problems and solutions to the development challenges facing youth in the ongoing complex humanitarian and political crisis in NES.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility Criteria

For this RFI/SSN, eligible entities include non-governmental organizations, civil society actors, and other entities that meet all of the following criteria:

● Have operational access to and experience working in NES;

● Have sufficient experience in programming areas related to youth, countering or preventing violent extremism, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and private sector engagement;

● Demonstrate the ability to engage with local communities in Arabic and Kurdish (local dialects).

RFI/SSN Information

This RFI/SSN is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and in no way obligates the U.S.

Government to issue an RFP/NOFO and/or award a contract/grant or pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. If a solicitation is issued, all necessary information will be supplied at the time it is posted at grants.gov or sam.gov.

Questions or requests for information will not be responded to until the issuance of an RFP/NOFO. Interested parties are advised to periodically monitor the above websites and https://www.grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/

RFI/SSN numbers for updates concerning potential procurement.

USAID/Syria encourages responses to this RFI/SSN from entities that possess access and sufficient experience in the subject matter.

USAID seeks responses to the questions outlined in Attachment 1. Respondents can reply to the questions they are familiar with and are not required to answer all questions. .

Submissions must use the response template (Attachment 1). They must be in English.

Templates must be submitted in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format, and must not exceed five (5) pages in length in single-spaced, Calibri font size 12.

Responses will be held confidential unless otherwise specified, but respondents are advised to refrain from sending proprietary information. The USAID Syria Program reserves the right but is not obligated to incorporate any, some, or none of the comments received into any subsequent RFPs/NOFOs.

Please provide your submission via email If USAID receives multiple submissions from an individual/organization, we will only review the most recent submission.

Responses to this RFI/SSN must be submitted by email no later than the date listed above to syriasolicitations@usaid.gov with the email subject line and file name: “RFI/SSN Response:

Countering Violent Extremism in Northeast Syria Among the Youth”

Responses received after this deadline will not be read or considered. Submission via email is required; phone calls or hard copy delivery will not be accepted. You may receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response.

The USAID Syria Program values input from our potential partners, and we thank you for your interest and assistance in developing potential future programs.

Sincerely, Justin Gunnoe Contracting/Agreement Officer USAID/Jordan AAO

ATTACHMENT(S):

Attachment 1 - SYRIA RFI/SSN-Countering Violent Extremism in Northeast Syria among the Youth Response Template mailto:syriasolicitations@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1: SYRIA RFI/SSN Countering Violent Extremism in Northeast Syria among the Youth Response Template

Respondent’s information:

1. Organization name:

2. Point of contact name, title and means of contact:

3. Organization’s System for Award (SAM) Management number and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) ID. Please be aware that all firms seeking US government financial assistance are required to obtain an active SAM.gov registration including the issuance of a UEI. https://sam.gov.

4. What is your organization type and what are the main areas of work that your organization carries out? Please elaborate on any programming experience, capacity and resources related to youth and CVE activities.

Technical Questions:

1. Local Perceptions and Vulnerabilities: How do local communities perceive violent extremism, and what are the primary factors (e.g., unemployment, lack of education, family dynamics, drugs) that contribute to make youth in NES vulnerable to violent extremism and radicalization? Are there particular groups of youth (e.g., displaced persons, orphans) who are more at risk of becoming radicalized?

2. Resource Mobilization: What local, public, private, and community resources (financial, cultural, or institutional) could be mobilized to support activities aimed at strengthening youths' resilience to extremist influence?

3. Existing Efforts: What existing programs and/or institutions, both local (formal and informal) and international, are currently helping to prevent youth radicalization in NES?

4. Effective Programming and Approaches: What types of programming (such as cultural, civics, educational, vocational training, psychosocial support, employment, or entrepreneurship) and local approaches have been effective in combating and preventing youth radicalization in NES and similar contexts? Please explain why these programs and approaches have been successful.

5. Inclusivity and Gender Equality: What measures can be taken to promote inclusivity and gender equality, ensuring that a youth CVE program reaches the most vulnerable and marginalized youth groups and addresses the specific needs of young women?

6. Evidence Based CVE Programming: What assessments, analysis, or reports has your organization used to inform your CVE activities? Do you have any assessments or reports that identify lessons learned , impact, or effectiveness of CVE activities? Please provide hyperlinks to these reports or a copy that should not be included in the five pages.

English and Arabic reports are acceptable.

https://sam.gov

[END OF ATTACHMENT 1: SYRIA RFI/SSN Countering Violent Extremism in Northeast Syria among the Youth Response Template ]

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