New Civil Society Activity in the Kyrgyz Republic | 72011524RFA00005

FAQs: USAID New Civil Society Activity in the Kyrgyz Republic (72011524RFA00005)

1) What is the New Civil Society Activity in the Kyrgyz Republic?

The New Civil Society Activity in the Kyrgyz Republic is a USAID funding opportunity aimed at strengthening the role and resilience of civil society organizations (CSOs) and civic actors in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in a period when democratic governance is under pressure.

2) What problem or context is this opportunity responding to?

The opportunity is designed in response to pressure on democratic governance and the related risks to civic space. It emphasizes helping civil society withstand and adapt to democratic backsliding, including political and regulatory changes that may constrain civil society activity.

3) What are the main goals or pillars of the activity?

Based on the information provided, the activity is structured around four major aims:

• Helping civil society build deeper, more consistent, and more accountable relationships with the communities they represent.
• Strengthening civil society resilience and adaptability in the face of democratic backsliding and shifting political/regulatory environments.
• Building trust-based relationships, coalitions, and networks among diverse civic actors to reduce fragmentation and increase collective capacity.
• Expanding public support for democratic values using value-based messaging that connects with shared principles and everyday concerns.

4) What does USAID mean by stronger relationships with constituencies?

The description indicates a focus on civil society being clearly connected to real constituency needs and priorities. That implies CSOs should not only conduct advocacy and service delivery, but also demonstrate accountable, ongoing engagement with the communities they represent.

5) What is meant by resilience against democratic backsliding?

In this opportunity, resilience refers to civil society's ability to withstand and adapt to democratic regression and to shifting political and regulatory conditions that may restrict civic space. The intent is to help civic actors continue operating effectively even as the environment changes.

6) Why does the opportunity emphasize coalitions, networks, and trust-based relationships?

The opportunity highlights fragmentation among civic actors as a challenge. By supporting trust-based relationships, coalitions, and networks, USAID aims to reduce fragmentation and strengthen collective capacity to respond to civic and governance challenges.

7) What is value-based messaging in this context?

Value-based messaging is described as communication that resonates through shared principles and everyday concerns, rather than relying only on technical policy arguments. The goal is to generate broader support for democratic values using messages that feel relevant and grounded to the public.

8) What kind of award is this?

This opportunity is issued as a discretionary award by USAID using a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument.

9) What does it mean that the funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically implies substantial involvement by the donor during implementation. The information provided notes that this can include close coordination on strategy, monitoring, learning, and adaptations over the life of the project.

10) What sector or category is this opportunity associated with?

The activity is categorized under Law, Justice and Legal Services, reflecting its democracy and governance orientation and its likely interest in the enabling environment for civil society, rights-based engagement, and constructive civic participation.

11) What is the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number for this opportunity?

The CFDA (Assistance Listing) number associated with this funding is 98.001, which is commonly used for USAID foreign assistance programs.

12) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 72011524RFA00005.

13) When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on 2024-05-02.

14) What was the application closing date?

The original closing date for applications was 2024-06-24.

15) How many awards does USAID anticipate making?

USAID anticipates making a single award under this solicitation.

16) What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is up to $10,000,000.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is not limited to a narrow class of applicants. At the same time, the information provided notes that applicants still need to meet the solicitation requirements and demonstrate the technical and organizational capacity to manage a complex USAID-funded program at this scale.

18) Which USAID office is issuing this opportunity?

The issuing office is listed as Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty.

19) Why is the issuing office in Almaty if the activity is in the Kyrgyz Republic?

The information indicates regional administrative coverage: the issuing office is Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty, while the activity focus is the Kyrgyz Republic. In other words, administration may be handled regionally even though the project work targets Kyrgyzstan.

20) Where will the activity take place?

The activity itself is specifically focused on the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan).

21) Is this opportunity primarily about advocacy, services, or both?

It is framed to strengthen civil society beyond advocacy and service delivery alone, emphasizing clear connection to constituency needs and priorities, resilience under pressure, and stronger networks and public-facing democratic messaging.

22) What is the overall intent of the opportunity, in plain terms?

Overall, the opportunity supports a comprehensive civil society strengthening effort in Kyrgyzstan: improving constituent engagement and legitimacy, reinforcing resilience against shrinking civic space and democratic regression, building cooperation and trust across diverse civic groups, and expanding public buy-in for democratic norms through messaging that connects with shared values.