Tunisia CSO Industry Day Notes.pdf

Tunisia CSO Industry Day

June 30, 2022

USAID/Tunisia hosted an “Industry Day” for the Mission’s new Civil Society Activity on June 30, 2022 as described in the Request for Information (RFI)

RFI-Tunisia-CSO. For organizations not able to attend, below is a summary of the main points discussed:

Key Messages from USAID:

● For organizations new to working with USAID, visit workwithUSAID.org for more information on how we partner

● Total Estimated Amount of the proposed award will be between $18 and $25 million for a five-year period of performance

● The Opportunity Response Mechanism is expected to be funded at $3 million

● The USAID Business Forecast will continually be updated to display projected dates for the release of the NOFO and subsequent award. As of now, USAID estimates a NOFO release in August 2022 and an award made in late 2022 or early 2023

● It is likely this NOFO will be a multi-stage process with the first stage being only a concept paper submission

Summary of Questions from participants and Answers from USAID:

- How do you see this activity overlapping and interacting with other USAID activities such as PTP and Ma3an?

- USAID works with civil society across multiple activities including PTP and Ma3an. The pre-existing activities will continue and we’re not planning to change the scope of these activities when the new activity is awarded. We encourage all USAID activities to collaborate among each other and, in the case of the new civil society activity, we encourage coordination with other donor projects working on similar issues.

- There are opportunities to leverage the private sector through the EG programs such as Jobs, Visit Tunisia,where it makes sense to collaborate with other existing projects.

- Please clarify the preference for non-exclusivity agreements.

- USAID doesn’t interfere with an organization’s internal procedures.

However, it would be USAID’s preference for organizations to not use exclusivity agreements.

- Specifically in reference to the Opportunity Response Mechanism (ORM), what level of flexibility does USAID envision in the activity given the constantly changing contexts in Tunisia?

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=340784

- USAID has identified the ORM as a tool to promote greater flexibility and adaptability over the course of the award’s period of performance.

All criteria related to the activation or use of the ORM will be negotiated with USAID. When a new opportunity in the civil society space presents itself, either party can recommend using the fund, then mutually agree on the specific interventions and budget.

- Will USAID work with non-registered informal movements in the regions?

- USAID must work with a prime implementer that possesses all the required representations and certifications needed to be awarded funding directly from the US Government. But the prime organization is expected to work with a broad range of civil society organizations in

Tunisia. The kind of relationship the prime has with different groups will vary.

- There will only be one prime partner (or consortium) associated with this award. There is no limit to the number of potential subawards.

- Media has a role to play, but media was absent from the PD. Please explain.

- Media is a component of civil society, and USAID is not opposed to working with groups in the media. It will be up to the implementing partner to propose those types of relationships.

- Does USAID expect the activity to include Social Media components?

- This will depend on the implementing partner’s approach.

- Do US based organizations need to be legally registered in Tunisia?

- The prime partner needs to be registered in Tunisia. If they are not registered, they must show they are on the path of registering when they apply.

- Is working and thinking politically an M&E component or do you expect partners to forecast political changes?

- By using a Thinking and Working Politically approach, the partner and

USAID will be monitoring the context to have a better understanding of the dynamics throughout the life of the activity. What may be the context now will likely change as the activity is implemented. By incorporating the Thinking and Working Politically approach, we’ll make sure the project continues to be relevant and impactful over the life of the activity.

- Do you expect to work with a national government counterpart? Is the national government aware of this planned activity?

- It depends. Sometimes it makes sense to partner with the government especially when we’re talking about national level advocacy. Much of this will depend on the implementing partner’s approach.

- This activity was designed by USAID. We have a Development

Objective Grant Agreement (DOAG) with the government which allows them to see the programmatic areas in which we intend to work, so the government is aware we will be working in the civil society space.

- How does USAID perceive the role of local government in the current context as a counterpart of civil society?

- Government is important at the local level and national level. The PD mentions a multi stakeholder approach. This may include the media, private sector, government, and civil society. Civil society can’t do it alone so it makes sense to help build bridges between and among civil society organizations, with other stakeholders such as local government, and the private sector as well.

- With regard to the inclusive approach, does USAID think the program will be including persons with disabilities?

- Absolutely, this is something that is a priority for our mission and administration. The implementing partner will be responsible for incorporating this into their approach.

- In reference to the “themes” mentioned in the PD, is there a specific number of themes USAID is expecting partners to address? How will themes be determined?

- This will likely be left up to the implementing partner, but USAID will be interested in how partners select key themes. All details on this topic will be made clear in the NOFO.

- Will an impact evaluation be part of this activity?

- Impact evaluation is not envisioned. USAID/Tunisia has a third party

M&E contract.

- There is possible change in the framework of CSOs in the coming months, mainly related to decree 88. What is USAID’s strategy to address those changes?

- What you’re referring to is a leaked draft decree, and we’re treating it as such. We realize that, like any other decree or law, Decree 88 could change over time, however, we’re working under the assumption that the current enabling environment and Decree 88 stand.

- Are there preferences for CSOs to work in the south compared to CSOs working in the capital?

- It is important that Tunisian civil society in Tunis and outside of Tunis be included.

- Will USAID be posting the questions that were raised during the consultations with CSOs around the country?

- A report detailing the Mission’s consultations with Tunisian CSOs will be posted with the NOFO.

- Is there a preference to work with a U.S. organisation or an international/Tunisian organization?

- USAID does not have a preference.

- Do you anticipate cost-share?

- It will not be required.

- Are there any lessons learned from current civil society projects that fed into the design?

- The need to work with a broad spectrum of CSOs and to link local civil society to the national civil society.

- Are there any themes that could emerge from the participatory process but which USAID would not be able to support through the Tunisia Civil Society

Activity?

- USAID will not predetermine the entities or themes/issues that should be included, however, we anticipate that a multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together stakeholders beyond traditional civil society, or civil society traditionally supported by donors, should be employed.

Initially, USAID envisions that one or two themes will be addressed during the first year.