PROMOTING YOUTH RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE FARANAH ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF GUINEA | 72067523APS00001

FAQs: USAID/Guinea - Promoting Youth Rural Entrepreneurship in the Faranah Administrative Region of Guinea (72067523APS00001)

1) What is this USAID/Guinea funding opportunity?

This is a USAID/Guinea discretionary grant opportunity titled PROMOTING YOUTH RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE FARANAH ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF GUINEA, under Funding Opportunity Number 72067523APS00001. It is focused on helping rural youth build viable businesses that strengthen local economies and create jobs.

2) What is the main goal of the grant?

The main goal is to support current and future rural youth entrepreneurs so they can develop business ideas into sustainable income and employment opportunities for themselves and others, while strengthening local economies in the targeted region.

3) Which geographic areas does the program target?

The program targets the Faranah administrative region of Guinea, specifically the prefectures of Kissidougou, Faranah, Dabola, and Dinguiraye.

4) Who is the intended beneficiary group?

The intended beneficiaries are rural youth in the targeted prefectures who want to pursue entrepreneurship but face persistent structural barriers that limit their ability to start or grow viable businesses.

5) What kinds of barriers is the opportunity trying to address?

The opportunity is designed around constraints highlighted in the description, including:

• Limited access to finance
• Difficulty obtaining technology and productive inputs
• Challenges linked to transparency and corruption
• Gaps in practical business skills, especially developing business strategies

6) What type of program approach is USAID looking for?

USAID is looking for programming that helps young entrepreneurs overcome the listed obstacles in realistic, locally grounded ways. The opportunity emphasizes an upfront assessment and co-design process, followed by implementation if renewed into Phase 2.

7) How does the grant emphasize inclusion?

The opportunity places notable emphasis on inclusive economic empowerment. USAID is explicitly interested in approaches that include female youth and youth with disabilities, which implies applicants should consider accessibility, equitable participation, and targeted support that reflects different barriers these groups may face.

8) Who can apply as the prime recipient?

Eligibility is restricted to local entities within West Africa, with a preference for Guinean organizations. USAID plans to fund a local organization or a consortium of local or regional organizations, with one organization serving as the primary lead.

9) Are U.S.-based organizations eligible to apply as prime awardees?

No. U.S.-based organizations are not eligible to apply as prime awardees under this APS, based on the information provided.

10) How does USAID define a "local entity" for this opportunity?

USAID defines a local entity based on several factors. The organization should:

• Be legally organized under the laws of Guinea or another West African country
• Have its principal place of business or operations in Guinea or another West African country
• Be majority owned and controlled by citizens or lawful permanent residents of Guinea or another West African country
• Be managed by a governing body whose majority are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Guinea or another West African country

11) Is there a cap on prior USAID prime funding for applicants?

Yes. Applicants cannot have received more than USD 5 million in direct USAID prime funding over the previous five fiscal years.

12) What award type will USAID use?

USAID plans to use Fixed Amount Awards for this opportunity.

13) What is the maximum amount of funding available per award?

Each award has a ceiling of up to USD 2,000,000, dependent on available funding.

14) How long is the expected performance period?

The expected total performance period is about 3 years and 7 months, split into two phases.

15) What happens in Phase 1?

Phase 1 is an Assessment and Co-design phase lasting roughly 7 months, with an estimated budget of about USD 100,000. This phase is intended to diagnose needs, map constraints and opportunities, and collaboratively design a program model that fits the local context.

16) What happens in Phase 2?

Phase 2 is the Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program Implementation phase. If USAID determines it is necessary, the award can be renewed into Phase 2, which would last about 3 years, with an estimated budget of about USD 1,900,000.

17) Is Phase 2 funding guaranteed?

No. The information provided indicates Phase 2 would occur only if USAID determines renewal is necessary, meaning Phase 2 is conditional rather than automatic.

18) What does the phased structure suggest about USAID's expectations?

The phased structure suggests USAID wants a thoughtful design process up front (assessment and co-design) and then a larger-scale rollout based on what that initial work demonstrates.

19) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as Community Development.

20) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 98.001.

21) What are the key administrative dates listed?

The opportunity was created on 2023-06-07, and the original closing date listed was 2023-07-31.

22) What kinds of outcomes is this grant trying to achieve?

Based on the description, the grant aims to help rural youth turn business ideas into sustainable livelihoods, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen local economies in the targeted prefectures, while addressing financing and input constraints, business skills gaps, and concerns related to transparency and corruption.

23) Does USAID prefer a single organization or a consortium?

USAID plans to fund either a local organization or a consortium of local or regional organizations, but in a consortium model, one organization must serve as the primary lead.

24) Does the opportunity indicate any special design considerations for applicants?

Yes. The opportunity signals that proposals should be locally grounded and should directly address the practical constraints rural youth face, while building practical business capacity (especially business strategy development) and ensuring inclusive participation for young women and youth with disabilities.