Opportunity Information: Apply for 7200AA21R00003
Global Civil Society and Media Strengthening (CSMS) is a USAID Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Center initiative presented as a Request for Information (RFI) under number 7200AA21R00003. Issued on October 13, 2020, with responses due November 6, 2020 (5:00 PM EST), the notice is designed strictly for market research and planning. USAID is using the RFI to gather practical input from individuals and organizations on what works (and what does not) in strengthening civic engagement and independent media across countries where USAID operates, and to better understand the interests and capabilities of potential implementing partners.
A central point of the announcement is that this is not a funding solicitation. It is not a Request for Proposals, a Notice of Funding Opportunity, or any commitment to award a contract or grant. USAID is not asking for technical proposals or budgets, will not pay for the cost of preparing submissions, will not answer questions about the announcement, and will not provide individualized feedback on responses. Submitting information is voluntary, responses will not be returned, and organizations that do not respond are not disadvantaged for any future opportunity if USAID later decides to launch a formal solicitation.
Programmatically, CSMS is framed around partnering with a coalition of civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders to implement innovative approaches that strengthen civic engagement and independent media. The activity is positioned as supporting broader U.S. Government and USAID priorities related to democracy, human rights, and governance, including responding to resurgent authoritarianism, countering foreign malign influence, and promoting transparent, citizen-responsive governance, along with democratic norms and institutions. The opportunity also ties civic and media strengthening directly to USAID's self-reliance agenda, arguing that stronger civil society and media ecosystems help create more responsive and accountable governance, which in turn improves a country's ability to sustain its own development progress.
A key emphasis is on building both human and institutional capacity among civil society and independent media actors so they can advocate for solutions and help implement responses to local development challenges. The notice highlights the idea of civil society and media as part of a broader system within a country: when these sectors are capable, inclusive of diverse voices, and able to engage constructively, they can contribute to stronger institutions and better public services. Over time, USAID suggests, this strengthens local systems so they become more cohesive, adaptive, and able to mobilize resources internally, which is presented as a foundation for long-term self-reliance.
CSMS also signals an implementation preference for expanding local capabilities and partnerships, including support for emerging or informal civil society and independent media entities. In line with USAID's New Partnerships Initiative (NPI), the activity intends to prioritize engaging new and local partners rather than relying only on traditional large implementers. The RFI additionally connects the activity to private sector engagement (PSE) and financing self-reliance (FSR), indicating that CSMS may incorporate models that bring in local private sector partnerships, community or local philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship. It also points to civil society advocacy, transparency, and accountability efforts that relate to broader financing and governance issues such as public financial management and domestic revenue mobilization.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, and the opportunity category and instrument type are labeled broadly as "Other," reinforcing that the posting is informational rather than a typical grant competition. The bottom line is that USAID is testing ideas and mapping the landscape for a possible future global mechanism focused on civic engagement and independent media strengthening, and it is asking the field to help shape the approach before any formal procurement or assistance announcement is made.Apply for 7200AA21R00003
- The Agency for International Development in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Civil Society and Media Strengthening (CSMS)" 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 2020-10-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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