The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Peru (USAID/Peru) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement from qualified entities to implement the “Regional Community Response to Conservation Crimes” program.

Transnational conservation crimes (TCCs) are some of the fastest growing cross-border, high-value, low-risk enterprises and are causing irreparable damage to the Amazon. TCCs are defined as crimes associated with the conservation of natural resources, such as wildlife trafficking, illegal logging and associated trade (ILAT), illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and illegal or unregulated extraction and trade of alluvial gold and other minerals. Along with extraction, TCCs also degrade the region’s governance and threaten the viability and security of vulnerable communities and the sustainability of the complex Amazon ecosystem.

In response to critical threats posed to the Amazon Biome by TCCs, the USAID/South American Regional Mission (SAR) seeks to apply a “whole-of-Amazon” systems approach to decrease the supply and demand for natural resources by increasing civil society led efforts to promote whole of society values, raising public understanding of the benefits of a culture that protects both biodiversity and cultural identity and expanding livelihoods.

Purpose

Civil society actors, including indigenous populations and local communities, as well as private sector firms and organizations in Amazon countries will engage in transboundary collaboration and effective actions to address behavioral, cultural and economic drivers of transnational conservation crimes.

Funding Information

Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to USD $18,200,000 in total USAID funding over a (5) five-year period.

Target Countries

Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname.

Eligible Applicants

• Eligibility for this NOFO is unrestricted.
• Both U.S. and non-US organizations may participate under this NOFO. USAID encourages applications from new and underutilized implementers but it is not limited to new and underutilized implementers. New implementers are those who have not received more than $5 million dollars in the past 5 years and underutilized implementers are defined as not having received more than $25 million dollars in the past 5 years. They also encourage applications from Faith Based Organizations. USAID does not work with consortiums, there must be one Prime partner who can then make sub award arrangements with other entities (not to exceed 50% of the overall value of the award).
• Each applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. The Agreement Officer (AO) may determine that a pre-award survey is required to determine whether the applicant has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. Applicants who do not currently meet all USAID requirements for systems and controls may still be eligible under special award considerations and should not be discouraged from applying.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.