Request for Information - Women Empowerment | RFI 263 19 00005

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI 263 19 00005

USAID/Egypt issued this notice as a Request for Information (RFI), not a funding competition, to gather input from development partners and other stakeholders while it designs a new, large-scale women empowerment activity in Egypt. The planned program, tentatively titled "Nosf Misr (Half of Egypt)," is envisioned as a five-year effort in the range of $30 to $40 million. The core purpose is to advance gender equality and female empowerment by improving the broader environment that affects womens economic opportunity and by strengthening prevention of, and protection from, gender-based violence (GBV). USAID frames the effort as aligned with shared policy priorities of the U.S. Government and the Government of Egypt, and as a way to address barriers that limit the participation and advancement of women, who make up roughly half of the population, in Egypts economic and social development.

The opportunity emphasizes three interconnected aims that USAID wants to pursue in a cross-sectoral way: strengthening the enabling environment for womens empowerment and economic opportunity, preventing and responding to GBV, and improving womens public participation. USAID is essentially testing whether these objectives, as currently drafted, make sense together, can realistically be achieved within one integrated activity, and can reinforce one another rather than compete for attention or resources. The RFI is meant to inform the missions final activity design and set the stage for a future solicitation, but it is not itself that solicitation.

USAID is specifically asking respondents to review and comment on the draft project description and to provide practical feedback in four areas. First, they want a reality check on whether the proposed cross-sectoral objectives are achievable and mutually reinforcing given the context in Egypt and the way the project is described. Second, they are considering using a co-creation approach during design and want to know whether organizations and stakeholders would be interested in participating. Third, they want ideas for what a co-creation conference could include to spark creative, workable approaches to meeting the activities objectives and to help potential partners clearly understand USAID priorities. Fourth, they are looking for proven examples of collaboration models that bring together local organizations, civil society, religious organizations engaged in womens empowerment, and private sector actors, especially in industries that employ women (one example mentioned is food processing) and within business development ecosystems such as incubators, accelerators, and business development centers. USAID is asking whether there are successful models already operating that could be scaled to meet the goals outlined in the draft description.

The notice also clarifies the boundaries of what USAID is requesting. They are not asking for technical proposals or cost proposals at this time, and responses are not offers that the government can accept to form a contract, consistent with FAR 15.201(e). Participation is voluntary, and USAID will not pay for information submitted in response. In short, this RFI is a market and stakeholder sounding exercise for a forthcoming, major womens empowerment program, focused on enabling conditions for womens economic empowerment, GBV prevention and protection, and increased female participation in public life, with a strong interest in integrated design and partnership-driven co-creation.

Key administrative details included in the posting are: Funding Opportunity Title "Request for Information - Women Empowerment," Opportunity Number RFI 263 19 00005, Agency USAID/Egypt (USAID-Cairo), CFDA 98.001, eligibility listed as unrestricted, an anticipated ceiling associated with the planned activity of up to $40,000,000, the posting created on 2019-06-10, and an original response closing date of 2019-07-02.

• The Egypt USAID-Cairo in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information - Women Empowerment" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-06-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-07-02. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for RFI 263 19 00005

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