Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI 383 17 GVP CS
The Sri Lanka Civil Society Program is a USAID Colombo request for information (RFI) aimed at shaping the design of a future civil society support project in Sri Lanka. Rather than soliciting full proposals immediately, USAID is asking civil society professionals, organizations, and other sector institutions to share practical input on what would make a new program more effective and better aligned with the country context. The activity sits within the community development category and is expected to be implemented through a cooperative agreement, with USAID signaling a possible single award and an anticipated funding ceiling of up to $10,000,000.
The RFI is structured around gathering feedback on whether the program components USAID has already identified match the real development needs of Sri Lanka s civil society sector. Respondents are asked to assess gaps and recommend improvements, including what additional forms of assistance are needed to strengthen civil society given Sri Lanka s current social and political environment. USAID is also looking for informed expectations about what high level results the program could realistically achieve, along with concrete suggestions to refine the proposed goals and objectives so they are measurable, relevant, and likely to produce impact.
A major theme of the requested input is how civil society can most effectively advance transparency, accountability, and good governance. USAID is asking respondents to identify the key issues and policy areas civil society should prioritize, and to explain why those priorities matter in the Sri Lankan context. Beyond naming priorities, the RFI requests recommendations on mechanisms to address them, meaning the practical approaches, tools, partnerships, and strategies that could translate advocacy and oversight into tangible governance improvements. USAID also wants views on what types of consortium arrangements would be most effective for this agenda, such as coalitions that combine policy advocacy groups, watchdog organizations, media or investigative networks, legal aid actors, community based organizations, and research institutions to improve reach, credibility, and coordination.
Finally, the RFI places emphasis on long term viability of civil society organizations by asking respondents to envision opportunities for financial sustainability. This invites ideas on how CSOs might reduce reliance on donor funding over time, for example through diversified revenue models, stronger fundraising capacity, service delivery or social enterprise approaches where appropriate, membership support, local philanthropy, or improved financial management and governance practices that increase trust and unlock broader funding sources.
Submissions are limited to a maximum of three pages and must be provided in writing. Responses are to be emailed to Mr. Harsha Kaluarachchi, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at srilankaprocurement@usaid.gov, with a copy to Mr. Robert Parnell, Contracting Officer, at rparnell@usaid.gov. The deadline stated in the opportunity is March 23 at 1700 Colombo time (the notice text includes differing years in places, but the source data indicates the RFI submission request date and time as March 23, 2017 at 1700 Colombo time).Apply for RFI 383 17 GVP CS
- The Agency for International Development, Sri Lanka USAID-Colombo in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sri Lanka Civil Society Program" 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 Mar 16, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by RFI submission request date/time is March 23, 2017 1700pm (Colombo time). (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Sri Lanka Civil Society Program (USAID Colombo RFI)
1) What is this opportunity?
This is a USAID Colombo Request for Information (RFI) for the Sri Lanka Civil Society Program. The purpose is to collect practical input that will help USAID shape the design of a future civil society support project in Sri Lanka.
2) Is USAID requesting full proposals right now?
No. This notice is an RFI, not a solicitation for full proposals. USAID is gathering feedback to inform the design of a future program rather than selecting an implementer at this stage.
3) What kind of input is USAID looking for?
USAID is asking for informed, practical feedback on whether its proposed program components match the real needs of Sri Lanka's civil society sector, what gaps exist, and how the design could be improved to be more effective and aligned with the country context.
4) Who should respond to the RFI?
USAID is seeking input from civil society professionals, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other sector institutions with relevant experience and context on civil society in Sri Lanka.
5) What sector or category does this activity fall under?
The activity is described within the community development category and focuses on strengthening civil society in Sri Lanka.
6) What type of award is USAID anticipating for the future activity?
The future activity is expected to be implemented through a cooperative agreement.
7) How many awards might USAID make?
USAID signals a possible single award for the anticipated cooperative agreement.
8) What is the anticipated funding level?
USAID indicates an anticipated funding ceiling of up to $10,000,000 for the future program.
9) What are respondents asked to evaluate about USAID's proposed program design?
Respondents are asked to assess whether the components USAID has already identified align with actual development needs, identify gaps, recommend improvements, and suggest additional forms of assistance needed given Sri Lanka's current social and political environment.
10) Does USAID want suggestions about results and measurement?
Yes. USAID is requesting informed expectations about what high-level results could realistically be achieved and concrete suggestions to refine goals and objectives so they are measurable, relevant, and likely to produce impact.
11) What governance themes are emphasized in the RFI?
A central theme is how civil society can advance transparency, accountability, and good governance in Sri Lanka.
12) What should respondents address regarding priorities for civil society?
USAID asks respondents to identify key issues and policy areas civil society should prioritize and explain why those priorities matter in the Sri Lankan context.
13) Does the RFI ask for practical approaches and mechanisms?
Yes. Beyond naming priorities, USAID requests recommendations on mechanisms to address them, including practical approaches, tools, partnerships, and strategies that can translate advocacy and oversight into tangible governance improvements.
14) Is USAID interested in consortium or coalition approaches?
Yes. USAID seeks views on what types of consortium arrangements would be most effective, including coalitions combining different types of organizations to improve reach, credibility, and coordination.
15) What types of organizations are mentioned as potential consortium members?
The notice references possible combinations such as policy advocacy groups, watchdog organizations, media or investigative networks, legal aid actors, community-based organizations, and research institutions.
16) Does the RFI address long-term viability and sustainability of CSOs?
Yes. The RFI emphasizes long-term viability and asks respondents to identify opportunities for financial sustainability for CSOs.
17) What kinds of financial sustainability ideas does USAID invite?
USAID invites ideas on reducing reliance on donor funding over time, such as diversified revenue models, stronger fundraising capacity, service delivery or social enterprise approaches (where appropriate), membership support, local philanthropy, and improved financial management and governance practices that increase trust and unlock broader funding sources.
18) What is the maximum length for RFI submissions?
Submissions are limited to a maximum of three pages.
19) What format must the response take?
Responses must be provided in writing.
20) How do you submit an RFI response?
Responses must be emailed to Mr. Harsha Kaluarachchi, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist, at srilankaprocurement@usaid.gov, with a copy to Mr. Robert Parnell, Contracting Officer, at rparnell@usaid.gov.
21) What is the submission deadline?
The deadline stated is March 23 at 1700 Colombo time.
22) Is there any inconsistency in the posted deadline year?
Yes. The notice text includes differing years in places; however, the source data indicates the RFI submission request date and time as March 23, 2017 at 1700 Colombo time.
23) What is the main purpose of responding to this RFI?
The purpose is to influence and improve the design of a future USAID civil society program by sharing what would make the program more effective, better aligned with Sri Lanka's context, and more likely to deliver realistic and measurable results.
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