The United States Agency for International Development Mission in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (USAID/ESC) is making a special call for the submission of Concept Papers for the ConnectEd St. Lucia activity focused on the development of interventions that will improve primary and secondary digital literacy of St. Lucian youth, while building skills in youth that are increasingly sought after in today’s job market.

The purpose of St. Lucia ConnectEd is to improve the digital literacy of primary and secondary-school learners and build youth employability skills. St. Lucia ConnectEd aims to develop and sustain both the technological and human capacities to improve digital literacy and support youth development.

The activity will collaborate closely with the Government of St. Lucia - Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations (DEIGR) to explore partnerships to improve digital literacy and build youth employability skills.

The primary beneficiaries of the activity are upper primary and secondary students in formal and informal education environments; and teachers in schools throughout St. Lucia.

Anticipated outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

• Improve digital literacy for children and youth using existing country assets.
• Address youth soft skills.
• Utilize PYD methodology to engage youth in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the activity.
• Improve teaching and learning at the upper primary and secondary levels.

Key stakeholders and potential partners may include, but are not limited to:

• Private and government telecommunications and power companies.
• Telecommunications and power regulatory entities.
• Higher education institutions.
• Regional development organizations.
• Local St. Lucian organizations which demonstrate strong connections to the communities they serve, working in the youth development and education space.

Funding Information

USAID/ESC anticipates supporting one award of $1,000,000.00 million over the life of the award(s).

Eligibility Criteria

U.S. and non-U.S. public, private, for-profit, and non-profit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education (including minority-serving institutions and HBCU), public international organizations, non-governmental organizations and local organizations are eligible to submit a concept note. Further, the organization must be a legally recognized organizational entity in the country where it operates.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.