USAID: Liberia Foundational Skill Activity in Liberia

Deadline: 18-Jul-23

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Mission in Liberia, is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Liberia Foundational Skill Activity.

Purpose

• The purpose of this Activity is to increase the percentage of Liberian children who complete primary school and meet government of Liberia learning standards.

Challenges

The primary education system in Liberia has a key set of interrelated challenges that contribute to the development hypothesis:

• A large number of Liberian children aged 6, 7, and 8 are not enrolled in primary school.
• Those who are enrolled in school are often two or more years older than the expected age for their grade level.
• Evidence-based teaching and learning materials are not used consistently in the classroom.
• Given the wide variation of ages in the classroom, teachers struggle to provide ageappropriate instruction.
• School leaders face challenges in enrolling and placing children in the appropriate type/grade for their age and ability

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $75,000,000
• Award Ceiling: $75,000,000
• Award Floor:$75,000,000

Eligible Activities

Under the CDCS, the Liberia Foundational Skills Activity directly addresses:

Foundation for growth strengthened through a healthy, productive, and educated population.

• Quality of education services improved.
  • Education relevance for learners increased.
  • Literacy achievement improved and incentivized.
  • Institutional capacity strengthened to improve student outcomes.
• Equitable access to learning increased.
  • Alternative learning systems improved.
  • Learning environment improved.
  • Barriers to education inclusion reduced; and
• Foundational rights and access to public services for all Liberians increased.
  • Harmful practices such as GBV, and TIP reduced at all levels.
  • Access to public services by marginalized populations increased.

The Activity also advances USAID’s Education Policy priorities below:

• Children and youth, particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable, have increased access to quality education that is safe, relevant, and promotes social well-being.
• Children and youth gain foundational literacy and social-emotional skills that are critical for future learning and success.

Geographic Scope:  The Liberia Foundational Skills Activity will support public schools in Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado and Nimba counties, and reach a minimum of 120,000 primary grade students. This geographic focus aligns with the CDCS and allows USAID to target its development efforts to affect the greatest number of people in Liberia and facilitates donor coordination to reduce overlap and duplication.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted. Eligible organizations include:
  • Registered U.S. and non-U.S. private non-governmental organizations.
  • Registered U.S. and non-U.S. non-profit organizations; and
  • For-profit organizations willing to forego profit. Types of organizations could include foundations, faith-based organizations (FBOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), host country organizations, private organizations affiliated with public academic institutions and international non-governmental organizations, private companies, professional associations, and other international and indigenous organizations. Local partnership consortia comprising any of the above are also encouraged to apply.
  • Other U.S. Government departments and agencies may not apply for USAID funding under this NOFO.
  • Host country government agencies/entities are not eligible to apply. Furthermore, cost applications may not contain Level of Effort related costs for host country government staff.
  • All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable laws.

For more information, visit Grant.gov.