USAID seeks, through partnerships with the private sector, innovative approaches to expand access to technology, information, and capital for innovative agribusiness entrepreneurs in the ASEAN region. USAID encourages market actors to address issues and ultimately help to deepen market systems throughout Southeast Asia. The ultimate objective of this activity is to increase the productivity and profitability of businesses across agricultural value chains in the region by (1) increasing their access to debt finance for expanding throughout Southeast Asia and (2) developing new agricultural technologies, business process improvements, and improving small trade infrastructure.
Such approaches should consider incorporating the following factors:
● Leveraging existing USAID tools for engaging with the private sector, including a partial credit guarantee by USAID’s Development Credit Authority and technical assistance to investors and SMAs;
● Strengthening market linkages to enterprises, lead firms and financial service providers in the region;
● Alignment with existing USAID programming in Southeast Asian market systems and the overall mission of Feed the Future (FTF), the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative;
● A truly regional (not bilateral) ASEAN scope that includes at least 2 ASEAN nations in which USAID currently works (including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Burma, Philippines, and Vietnam);
● An emphasis on supporting and capitalizing on regional connectivity under the AEC;
● Partnerships and synergies with other private sector stakeholders, including investors, companies, and NGOs, as well as with other international development organizations; and
● Creative solutions to fostering rural-urban linkages focused on inclusive economic growth.
How to Apply
USAID will review Expressions of Interest (EOI) in accordance with the instructions and evaluation criteria set forth in this Addendum.
EOIs must indicate the research or development idea(s) that will deliver potential solutions to the Objective stated above. Organizations are encouraged to collaborate with peer organizations that bring differing perspectives and/or comparative advantages. Organizations are also encouraged to think through innovative cost-sharing arrangements. USAID is supportive of approaches that value collaboration as a component of the co-creation and co-resourcing process.
USAID will accept up to two EOIs from a single organization. Selected respondents will be invited to attend a co-creation workshop in Bangkok or Washington, DC (to be determined) on March 16 and 17, 2017.
For more details, download the Addendum.
Email your EOI to [email protected].
CLOSING DATE FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOI): February 24, 2017 at 5:00 (EST)
