Youth are Resilient, Interconnected, Socially Cohesive and Engaged (YouthRISE) Activity | 72038821RFA00002

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72038821RFA00002

The Youth are Resilient, Interconnected, Socially Cohesive and Engaged (YouthRISE) Activity is a USAID/Bangladesh grant opportunity focused on People-to-People (P2P) peacebuilding in Cox's Bazar, an area affected by the pressures and tensions associated with displacement and past conflict dynamics. P2P programs are designed to reduce the risk of conflict and support reconciliation by bringing together individuals and groups from different ethnic, religious, or political backgrounds. YouthRISE builds on a concept note USAID/Bangladesh submitted in February 2019 that was selected for initial support (2 million) through USAID's conflict management and mitigation structures, with the intent to expand the scope using additional mission resources. The overall idea is to invest in youth as a stabilizing force by improving their skills, opportunities, and relationships across community divides, while also strengthening local systems that help communities resolve disputes peacefully.

YouthRISE is planned as a four-year activity and uses a mix of positive youth engagement approaches, including market-based economic and livelihood support, life skills and leadership development, and narrative-based efforts that encourage empathy, understanding, and trust across groups. A central theme is resilience: helping young people better withstand and resist pathways into violence, exploitation, or harmful social pressures by improving their prospects and strengthening social connections. The activity also incorporates prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by supporting youth leadership and promoting healthier gender norms, recognizing that shifts in gender dynamics and safety are closely tied to community stability and social cohesion.

The program is organized around three connected objectives. First, it aims to strengthen life and leadership skills, support shifts in gender norms, and improve livelihood skills and access to opportunities, with the broader goal of increasing young people's resilience to violence. Second, it seeks to increase both direct and indirect contact between host and refugee communities, and between youth and community leaders, so that people have more opportunities to understand each other's concerns, discuss problems more constructively, and build tolerance and trust over time. Third, it focuses on improving the responsiveness of local justice systems, with the idea that when communities have credible, accessible ways to address grievances and resolve disputes, tensions are less likely to escalate into conflict and relationships between groups are more likely to stabilize.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Bangladesh (USAID-Dhaka) as a discretionary funding opportunity using a grant instrument. The funding opportunity number is 72038821RFA00002 and it is categorized under Law, Justice and Legal Services (CFDA/Assistance Listing 98.001). USAID anticipated making one award, with an award ceiling of up to $4,000,000. The notice was created on November 16, 2020, with an original closing date of December 7, 2020. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with further clarification intended in the opportunity's additional eligibility information section.

• The Agency for International Development, Bangladesh USAID-Dhaka in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Youth are Resilient, Interconnected, Socially Cohesive and Engaged (YouthRISE) Activity" 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 Nov 16, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 07, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 72038821RFA00002

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