CALL FOR LOCALLY LED DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS ON BUILDING EFFECTIVE, RELIABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE PRIVATE SECTOR ASSOCIATIONS IN WEST AFRICA | 7200AA19APS00007 ADDENDUM03 USAID WA

Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA19APS00007 ADDENDUM03 USAID WA

This USAID West Africa (USAID/WA) grant opportunity, issued under the Local Works approach, is looking for locally led development concepts that can help private sector associations in West Africa become more effective, better governed, and financially sustainable over the long term. The central idea is that local solutions and local leadership are essential if U.S. development investments are going to last beyond the life of donor funding. USAID is therefore prioritizing partnerships with new and underutilized local actors, especially private sector organizations, to support a broader shift toward self-reliance through more direct assistance and more locally owned problem-solving.

The opportunity is responding to a recurring problem USAID has observed over the past decade. USAID/WA and other donors have helped create or strengthen many private sector associations organized around specific sectors, commodities, or issues, but too often the internal organizational capacity of these associations has been neglected. As a result, many associations have struggled to operate as truly member-driven institutions with stable revenue models that can cover core operating costs. A pattern has emerged where donor-supported associations begin to chase grants and donor priorities rather than consistently representing the evolving needs of their members. In some cases, associations have effectively turned into donor project implementers, adding staffing structures and compensation policies that are difficult or impossible to sustain through local income sources like membership dues or fees for services. USAID also highlights that governance and management weaknesses are common, with decision-making frequently shaped by expectations of continued donor funding rather than by realistic growth strategies tied to member value and commercial viability.

Within that context, USAID/WA is seeking pilot activities that directly tackle practical barriers to association sustainability and performance. The priority issue areas named in the call include access to finance, input supply, marketing, production and technology, and broader capacity strengthening. Proposed activities can take many forms, as long as they are locally owned solutions that plausibly increase an association's commercial viability, strengthen long-term sustainability, and improve the association's ability to serve and adapt to member needs. The focus is not simply on training or short-term technical assistance, but on solutions that change incentives, strengthen governance and management, and support durable business models that do not rely on continuous donor support.

A key requirement built into the activity is learning. Applicants are expected to develop and implement a learning agenda that captures ongoing learning, testing, and adaptation throughout implementation. The purpose is to generate evidence and practical knowledge about what actually works to build sustainable private sector associations in the West African context. In other words, the activity is meant to function both as an implementation effort and as a structured learning exercise that can inform future approaches in the region.

Funding is offered through a cooperative agreement, which typically means USAID expects to remain substantially involved in the design refinement and implementation oversight compared to a standard grant. The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 7200AA19APS00007 ADDENDUM03) lists an award ceiling of $2,500,000 and anticipates making up to three awards. It is categorized as a regional development activity, associated with CFDA 98.001, and was issued by USAID (Ghana USAID-Accra) for West Africa programming. The original closing date listed is August 10, 2020.

Eligibility is deliberately structured to prioritize local organizations in ECOWAS member states and to avoid awarding large, well-established USAID partners. Applicants must qualify as "local actors" within ECOWAS, which USAID assesses using factors such as where the organization is legally registered, where its principal place of business and operations are located, who owns and controls it, and whether its governing body and leadership are primarily citizens or lawful permanent residents of an ECOWAS member state. USAID also looks at whether the organization has offices or registrations in other countries and, importantly, where key management decisions are actually made. In addition, applicants cannot have received more than $5 million in direct USAID funding over the past five years, and U.S.-based organizations are not eligible to apply as prime awardees. Overall, the call is designed to surface grounded, locally credible concepts that can demonstrate how private sector associations can become member-centered, well-managed, and financially self-sustaining in West Africa.

• The Ghana USAID-Accra in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CALL FOR LOCALLY LED DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS ON BUILDING EFFECTIVE, RELIABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE PRIVATE SECTOR ASSOCIATIONS IN WEST AFRICA" 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 2020-02-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-08-10. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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