The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement for funding of an activity entitled “Countering Trafficking in Persons and Support to Vulnerable Populations (CTIP/V) Activity.”
The purpose of the new Countering Trafficking in Persons and Support to Vulnerable Populations (CTIP/V) activity is to (1) prevent trafficking in persons (TIP) through a strengthened comprehensive, government-led counter trafficking response and (2) to ensure nationwide access to trauma-informed and survivor-centered recovery and reintegration services for victims of trafficking, exploitation, gender-based violence (GBV) (particularly intimate partner violence and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)), and detention/torture.
Objectives
Objective 1: Understanding of TIP risks and prevention strategies increased, especially among government officials and vulnerable groups. Innovative TIP awareness and prevention measures tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups are developed and/or scaled up. Policies and programs demonstrated to be effective in preventing TIP are institutionalized by GoU.
Objective 2: Sustainability and availability of comprehensive, trauma-informed protection services increased to ensure seamless access for victims of trafficking and war-related trauma across Ukraine.GoU increasingly leads and directs implementation of the national referral mechanism (NRM) at all levels of government. Victims of trafficking, exploitation, GBV/CRSV, and detention/torture across Ukraine seamlessly access comprehensive, trauma-aware recovery and reintegration services.
Objective 3: Prosecution of those willfully engaged in TIP strengthened.Capacity to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate TIP cases enhanced, in coordination with INL and the Justice for All Program.TIP investigations, prosecutions and trials use trauma-informed, survivor-centered best practices.
Objective 4: Partnerships developed and strengthened across government, civil society, and socially responsible businesses to counter TIP at the decentralized, national, and European regional levels.
Funding Information
USAID intends to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this NOFO. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide no more than $24,000,000 in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period.
Expected Results
Objective 1
Innovative TIP awareness and prevention measures tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups are developed and/or scaled up.
Policies and programs demonstrated to be effective in preventing TIP are institutionalized by GoU.
Objective 2
GoU increasingly leads and directs implementation of the national referral mechanism (NRM) at all levels of government.
Victims of trafficking, exploitation, GBV/CRSV, and detention/torture across Ukraine seamlessly access comprehensive, trauma-aware recovery and reintegration services.
Objective 3
Capacity to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate TIP cases enhanced, in coordination with INL and the Justice for All Program.
TIP investigations, prosecutions and trials use trauma-informed, survivor-centered best practices.
Objective 4
Partnerships developed and strengthened across government, civil society, and socially responsible businesses to counter TIP at the decentralized, national, and European regional levels.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted, except that individuals and government entities are not eligible.
U.S. and non-U.S. organizations may participate. Public International Organizations (PIOs) are eligible for funding under this NOFO. By applying for this opportunity, the PIO is agreeing to follow the policies, terms and provisions of the anticipated cooperative agreement and USAID ADS Chapter 308. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal law.
USAID welcomes Concept Papers from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. USAID will not accept applications from individuals.
Applicants must have established financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, internal control systems, and policies and procedures that comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws and regulations. In order for an award to be made the AO must make a positive risk assessment pursuant to ADS 303.3.9. This means that the applicant must possess or have the ability to obtain the necessary management and technical competence to plan and carry out the assistance program to be funded. The applicant must agree to practice mutually agreed-upon methods of accountability for funds and other assets provided or funded by USAID.
In the absence of a positive risk assessment, an award cannot ordinarily be made. However, in rare cases, an award can be made with “Specific Conditions” (e.g., additional non-standard award requirements designed to mitigate the risk presented to USAID of making an award to an NGO for which a positive risk assessment cannot be made), but only where it appears likely that the applicant can correct the deficiency in a reasonable period.
To be eligible for award of a Cooperative Agreement, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. Non-discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
For-profit Applicants must note that USAID policy prohibits the payment of fee/profit for Recipients under assistance instruments. While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400(g), it is USAID policy not to award profit to prime recipients and subrecipients under assistance instruments. However, while profit is not allowed for sub-awards, the prohibition does not apply when the recipient acquires goods and services in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317-326, “Procurement Standards.” Forgone profit does not qualify as cost-share or leverage.
To be eligible for award of a Cooperative Agreement, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non-discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. Non-discrimination includes equal treatment without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.
