USAID- Request For Application For USAID Effective Water Sanitation And Hygiene Services (E-WASH Program) “Civic Advocacy And Wash Stakeholders Engagement Grant”

USAID
REQUEST FOR APPLICATION USAID EFFECTIVE WATER SANITATION AND HYGIENE SERVICES (E-WASH PROGRAM)
“CIVIC ADVOCACY AND WASH STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT GRANT”
RFA# E-WASH-PARTNERSHIP-2020-001
DEADLINE: 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2020

I. Purpose for Funding Opportunity
The purpose of the partnership grant is to encourage participation and collaboration with partner State Water Boards (SWBs) toward approaches to support WASH service delivery. The grants will support local entities
(CSOs,CBOs, Associations, etc.) that have a coherent plan to achieve on of the following:
-Enhance social accountability and institutional transparency within water utilities
-Promote, organize orenhance urban water or sanitation service delivery
-Enhance advocacy and strategic communication efforts to spur transformational change in the sector;
-Use behavior change communication to promote key hygiene behaviors; or
engage in other related sector themes that help achieve E-WASH contract objectives.

The partnership grant will be awarded in combination with technical assistance, training, and/or other inputs toward achievement of specific objectives that respond to expressed local needs in and contributes to achievement of stated expected results in E-WASH partner states. At the time of issuance, these states are: Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger and Taraba. Opportunities for leveraged funds, is encouraged, which are expected to be higher from a private sector partnership with local CsOs.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award, a commitment on the part of RTl or USAID nor does it commit to pay for costs incurred in the submission of an application. In addition, this RFA is not intended to replaçe any current or future funding agreements organizations may have with any government department.

II. Summary

III. Problem Statement
The USAID Effective Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (E-WASH) Program works in five states: Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger and Taraba states. For this award, E-WASH is seeking partners to engage directly with relevant state water boards (SWBs), communities and/or stakeholders to improve transparency and accountability of the utilities and their provision of water services to their urban populations. Through increased pressure from the demand side (e.g Customers via civil society organizations), the E-WASH Program believes urban water supply services can be improved.

IV. Background: The USAID E-WASH Program
As part of the U.S. Government’s (USG’s) efforts to address gaps in urban WASH services in Nigeria, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria is improving urban water service delivery by strengthening the
governance and financial and technical viability of five State Water Boards (SWBS) in Nigeria. These efforts align with the USAID Water and Development Strategy 2013/2018 Strategic Objective to improve health outcomes through the
provision of sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

They also align with the USAID/Nigeria Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) strategies to:
-Strengthened good governance
-Improved responsiveness of selected government institutions
-Increased capacity for civic advocacy, monitoring and engagement

The USAID E-WASH Program is part of USAID’s wider efforts to build closer coordination with the Government of Nigeria (GON), including the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR), select State Water Board (SWBS), and
allied stakeholders, to advance broad-based economic growth and resilience through improved WASH services in urban areas.

The overall objective of the USAID E-WASH Program is to assist the GON to expand and improve urban water service delivery by strengthening the governance and financial and technical viability of select SWBS in Nigeria. The USAID E-WASH Program recognizes that, for the desired reforms to take place citizens’ engagement, citizens’ participation, advocacy and mobilization of agencies must be reformed and strengthened. The USAID E-WASH Program will work toward achieving the following mutually reinforcing objectives:
-Create professionally managed and commercially oriented SWBS.
-Improve the financial and operational viability of SWBS.
-Strengthen policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services.
-Build national and state WASH advocacy, coordination, and communications for reform.

V. Minimum Eligibility Criteria.
Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to qualify for funding under this RFA:
-Be legally registered in Nigeria
-Have physical space to conduct their activities.
-Have a proven track record of successful implementation of projects in the state.
-Have been active for at least 3 years operating within their sector and respective state.
-Have three (3) or more full time or part time members of staff.
-Be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the project, not acting as an intermediary/consultant.
-Be willing to comply with all technical and financial requirements for participation in the program, including reporting and documentation of project activities, communication strategy and capacity development
opportunities.
-Be willing to participate in assessments, training, workshops, or other activities considered important for achieving project goals and strengthening organizational capacity
-Be eligible to receive awards from the United States Government.

VI. Organizations that are interested in submitting an application should please request electronic copy of the full Request forApplications (RFA) document by contacting the grant unit at grants@ewash.rti.org or Click, https://www.rti.org/current-opportunities.