IMPROVING AND EXPANDING EARLY WARNING EARLY RESPONSE SYSTEMS TO MITIGATE CONFLICT IN NIGERIA | USAID NIGERIA NPI APS ADDENDUM 2021

Opportunity Information: Apply for USAID NIGERIA NPI APS ADDENDUM 2021

USAID/Nigeria is inviting concept papers for a grant opportunity focused on reducing violent conflict and preventing the killing of civilians in Nigeria by strengthening early warning, early response (EWER) systems. The core idea is to help communities and authorities detect conflict risks early and respond quickly and credibly, before disputes escalate into wider violence or harden into ethno-religious conflict. Proposed EWER structures are expected to involve all relevant stakeholders, not just one set of actors, so that responses address security, social, governance, and community dynamics together rather than in isolation.

This opportunity is designed to support USAID/Nigeria's 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy, specifically Development Objective 3: strengthening accountable, inclusive, and responsive governance. It is also meant to align with the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability. Applicants are expected to complement existing USAID conflict mitigation programs rather than duplicate them, and to show a clear, direct link between their proposed activities and the objectives established under the broader NPI CPRP APS framework referenced in the addendum.

The work USAID is looking for goes beyond simply collecting incident reports. Concept papers should describe practical ways to create or improve platforms for conversation, negotiation, and dispute resolution at the community level, including efforts that bring groups together across ethnic and faith lines. USAID is looking for approaches that help communities recognize emerging conflict patterns, organize around prevention, and connect more effectively to formal security and governance actors. A major theme is rebuilding trust: trust among community members, and trust between communities and government institutions, including security entities. Proposals can also include efforts to revitalize livelihoods disrupted by conflict, since economic instability often fuels recruitment, criminality, and cycles of retaliation. Another clear priority is meaningful inclusion of marginalized groups, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities, not as symbolic participants but as contributors to solutions and community decision-making.

USAID highlights three main objectives for this addendum. First, key stakeholders should work together to create and/or sustain EWER systems that foster peace and tolerance while also helping communities mitigate banditry and criminality in areas that are already affected by violence or are at risk. Second, a diverse group of stakeholders should engage in community-based initiatives that strengthen communication, enable dialogue, support advocacy for peace, and improve local dispute resolution and reconciliation mechanisms. Third, stakeholders should collaborate on initiatives that build social cohesion and improve trust and confidence both within communities and between communities and security forces, addressing the relationship gaps that often worsen insecurity and undermine legitimate conflict response.

Sustainability is an explicit requirement, especially if an applicant proposes creating a new EWER structure. Any new system must be tied to an existing group or groups so it can continue functioning after the award ends, rather than becoming a stand-alone project mechanism that disappears when funding stops. Concept papers should briefly but clearly explain how an organization will conceptualize solutions, test them, assess what works, and then apply and adapt those solutions to strengthen conflict prevention and response through EWER systems.

On eligibility and partnering, USAID signals a strong preference for expanding its partner base by working with new and under-utilized development actors. The addendum stresses participation by new and underutilized local entities and locally established partners (LEPs), including arrangements where a prime partner makes sub-awards to LEPs and local entities. Another pathway mentioned is a leverage partner award structure, emphasizing collaboration and resourcing models that bring in additional capabilities or networks. Applicants must follow the eligibility requirements laid out in the underlying NPICPRP APS (especially Section III), in addition to these addendum-specific requirements.

Key administrative details from the opportunity notice include the funding opportunity number "USAID NIGERIA NPI APS ADDENDUM 2021," an award ceiling of $7,800,000, and an original closing date of March 1, 2021. The agency is USAID Nigeria (Abuja). The listing also indicates an "Other" category for opportunity type, instrument type, and activity category, and notes eligible applicants as city or township governments in the source data.

• The Nigeria USAID-Abuja in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "IMPROVING AND EXPANDING EARLY WARNING EARLY RESPONSE SYSTEMS TO MITIGATE CONFLICT IN NIGERIA" 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 2021-01-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-01. (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 $7,800,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: City or township governments.

Apply for USAID NIGERIA NPI APS ADDENDUM 2021

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