Opportunity Information: Apply for RFI KEA 2021 002
The Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu Local Development Organization Support Mechanism (Funding Opportunity Number: RFI KEA 2021 002) is a USAID Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) request for information tied to USAID's earlier 2019 Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu Annual Program Statement (APS). The core idea is to back a capable local organization that can help consolidate and strengthen county-level Local Development Organizations (LDOs) that were created through the 2019 APS, while also helping to co-create additional LDOs in counties where they do not yet exist. The opportunity is framed as a mechanism to deepen USAID's shift toward locally driven development by building durable county-based structures that can organize local actors and improve how counties plan, deliver, and account for development results.
USAID describes an LDO as a legally recognized umbrella organization that represents local organizations at the county level, including civil society and the private sector. Rather than funding isolated projects in a traditional top-down way, USAID is emphasizing the formation and strengthening of these umbrella bodies so local groups can coordinate, speak with a unified voice, and more effectively influence county development priorities. The LDO model is meant to help local stakeholders advocate for transparency, accountability, and better performance in county governance and service delivery, ultimately contributing to improved community outcomes.
The "successful applicant" USAID has in mind is expected to be locally established, locally led, and legally constituted, with strong experience building the capacity of grassroots organizations. Beyond technical support, this organization must also be able to act as a fund manager: it should have systems to receive and manage USAID funds responsibly, and it must be able to negotiate, issue, manage, and oversee sub-grants provided onward to the LDOs. In practice, that implies solid financial management, compliance capacity, grantmaking experience, and the ability to support multiple county-based entities at different stages of organizational maturity.
By April 2021, USAID reported that LDO formation activities had been implemented in 14 of the 25 target counties, with expectations that these 14 LDOs would be registered and operational by September 2021. USAID's intention under this support mechanism is twofold: first, to strengthen the capacity, systems, and effectiveness of those 14 emerging organizations; and second, to support and facilitate establishment of the remaining 11 LDOs in the target counties where they are still missing. Interested parties are directed to review the original APS (solicitation number 72061519APS00003 on Grants.gov, under "Related Documents") for fuller context on the LDO vision and mission, since this RFI builds directly on that earlier effort.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 98.001, with an "Unrestricted" eligible applicant category, and was posted by USAID Kenya and East Africa on May 12, 2021, with an original closing date of June 2, 2021. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided source data, reinforcing that this is an RFI stage focused on market research and identifying qualified local entities rather than announcing a finalized funding award structure.Apply for RFI KEA 2021 002
- The East Africa USAID-Kenya in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu Local Development Organization Support Mechanism" 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 2021-05-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-06-02. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu Local Development Organization Support Mechanism (RFI KEA 2021 002)?
This opportunity is a USAID Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) Request for Information (RFI) called the Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu Local Development Organization Support Mechanism (Funding Opportunity Number: RFI KEA 2021 002). It is tied to USAID's earlier 2019 Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu Annual Program Statement (APS) and focuses on identifying a capable local organization to support county-level Local Development Organizations (LDOs).
Is this opportunity a funding announcement or a Request for Information (RFI)?
Based on the information provided, this listing is an RFI stage. It is described as market research to identify qualified local entities rather than a finalized funding award structure.
How is this RFI related to the 2019 Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu APS?
This RFI builds directly on USAID's 2019 Kaunti Kuimarisha Uendelevu Annual Program Statement (APS). Interested parties are directed to review the original APS (solicitation number 72061519APS00003 on Grants.gov, under "Related Documents") for fuller context on the LDO vision and mission.
What is USAID trying to accomplish through this support mechanism?
The core idea is to back a capable local organization that can consolidate and strengthen county-level LDOs created through the 2019 APS, while also helping to co-create additional LDOs in counties where they do not yet exist. The broader purpose is to deepen USAID's shift toward locally driven development by building durable county-based structures that can organize local actors and improve how counties plan, deliver, and account for development results.
What is an LDO (Local Development Organization) as described by USAID?
USAID describes an LDO as a legally recognized umbrella organization that represents local organizations at the county level, including civil society and the private sector.
What is the role of an LDO in county development?
The LDO model is meant to help local stakeholders coordinate, speak with a unified voice, and more effectively influence county development priorities. USAID also frames LDOs as a way for local stakeholders to advocate for transparency, accountability, and improved performance in county governance and service delivery, contributing to better community outcomes.
Why is USAID emphasizing LDOs instead of funding isolated projects?
Rather than funding isolated projects in a traditional top-down way, USAID is emphasizing formation and strengthening of county-level umbrella bodies so local groups can coordinate and engage county planning and governance more effectively.
Who is the "successful applicant" USAID has in mind for this mechanism?
USAID indicates the successful applicant is expected to be locally established, locally led, and legally constituted, with strong experience building the capacity of grassroots organizations.
What key capabilities does the lead organization need to demonstrate?
Beyond technical support capabilities, the lead organization must be able to act as a fund manager, including having systems to receive and manage USAID funds responsibly and the ability to negotiate, issue, manage, and oversee sub-grants provided onward to the LDOs. This implies strong financial management, compliance capacity, grantmaking experience, and the ability to support multiple county-based entities at different stages of organizational maturity.
What does "fund manager" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this context, a fund manager is an organization that can receive USAID funds and then negotiate, issue, manage, and oversee sub-grants to LDOs, while maintaining responsible financial management and compliance systems.
What are the two main objectives USAID states for this support mechanism?
USAID describes two intended objectives: (1) strengthen the capacity, systems, and effectiveness of 14 emerging LDOs formed under the earlier effort, and (2) support and facilitate establishment of the remaining 11 LDOs in target counties where LDOs are still missing.
How many target counties are involved, and what was the status as of April 2021?
The information provided references 25 target counties. By April 2021, USAID reported that LDO formation activities had been implemented in 14 of the 25 target counties.
What did USAID expect regarding the registration and operational status of the first 14 LDOs?
USAID expected that the 14 LDOs would be registered and operational by September 2021.
How many additional LDOs does USAID want to help establish under this mechanism?
Based on the provided information, USAID intends to support establishment of LDOs in the remaining 11 target counties where they do not yet exist (25 total target counties minus 14 with formation activities implemented as of April 2021).
Which USAID office posted this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted by USAID Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA).
What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 98.001.
Who is eligible to respond based on the eligible applicant category shown?
The eligible applicant category is listed as "Unrestricted" in the provided information.
When was the opportunity posted and what was the original closing date?
It was posted on May 12, 2021, with an original closing date of June 2, 2021.
Does the listing specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. This aligns with the description of the listing as an RFI stage rather than a finalized funding announcement.
Where can applicants find more context on the LDO vision and mission?
USAID directs interested parties to review the original 2019 APS on Grants.gov (solicitation number 72061519APS00003) under "Related Documents" for fuller context, since this RFI builds directly on that earlier effort.
What types of organizations do LDOs represent?
USAID describes LDOs as umbrella organizations representing local organizations at the county level, including civil society and the private sector.
What kinds of support is the lead organization expected to provide to county-level LDOs?
The lead organization is expected to help strengthen LDO capacity, systems, and effectiveness, and also facilitate co-creation/establishment of new LDOs in counties where they do not yet exist. It must also manage sub-grants to the LDOs and oversee those sub-grants responsibly.
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