Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA 688 16 000003
The Civic Engagement Activity in Mali is a USAID-funded grant opportunity managed by USAID/Bamako that focuses on improving public accountability by expanding and strengthening the role ordinary citizens play in governance. The core idea is that service delivery and local government performance improve when people have practical ways to demand answers, participate in decisions, and track whether commitments are actually being met, especially outside the capital at the sub-national level.
The activity is designed around three main lines of effort. First, it seeks to strengthen bottom-up social accountability mechanisms, meaning community-driven tools and processes that help citizens monitor government performance, raise concerns, and push for corrective action. In practice, this typically includes structured feedback channels, citizen monitoring, community scorecards, public hearings, or other approaches that make it harder for local institutions to ignore public needs and easier for communities to document and follow up on problems.
Second, the opportunity emphasizes stronger partnerships between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), government actors, and the private sector to shape public policy and advance shared priorities. The intent is to move beyond one-off advocacy and toward more durable working relationships where CSOs can collaborate with officials and businesses on reforms, policy development, and problem-solving tied to issues of common interest. This reflects an approach where civil society is not only criticizing from the outside, but also participating in policy dialogue and jointly developing solutions that can be implemented.
Third, the activity aims to deepen citizens understanding of their rights and responsibilities and to empower them to engage constructively with government institutions. This component is about civic knowledge and practical participation: helping people understand what they are entitled to, what government is responsible for delivering, and how to engage through appropriate channels. The underlying assumption is that informed citizens are better positioned to organize, communicate priorities, and hold local decision-makers accountable in ways that are peaceful, lawful, and effective.
Success for this program is framed in measurable, real-world improvements in how responsive and accountable public services become at the sub-national level. In other words, the program is not only about trainings, meetings, or awareness campaigns; it is expected to translate into observable changes such as improved responsiveness to citizen complaints, clearer follow-through on local commitments, better transparency in decision-making, or more consistent delivery of public services as a result of citizen engagement and oversight.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is an earmark opportunity offered through a Cooperative Agreement, meaning the implementer should expect substantial involvement from USAID during implementation rather than a hands-off grant. The funding opportunity number is RFA 688 16 000003 under CFDA 98.001. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, suggesting a broad range of applicants could apply if they meet the standard requirements. USAID anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $12,000,000. The opportunity was created on 2015-11-18 and originally closed on 2016-01-13.Apply for RFA 688 16 000003
- The Mali USAID -Bamako in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Civic Engagement Activity in Mali" 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 2015-11-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-01-13. (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 $12,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other
Next opportunity: Smart Policing Initiative
Previous opportunity: Continuation of Funding Opportunity Announcement Implementing an Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System in the Republic of Rwanda under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA 688 16 000003
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA 688 16 000003) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Fundamental Freedoms Fund Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 032 Funding Number: DRLA DRLAQM 16 032 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $2,970,297 |
| Tanzania Data Collaborative (Co-Lab) Project Apply for MCC 16 RFA 0002 Funding Number: MCC 16 RFA 0002 Agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation Category: Other Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| Promoting Civil Society Engagement on Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law in Libya Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 039 Funding Number: DRLA DRLAQM 16 039 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Regional Human Rights and Democracy Activity Apply for NFO 596 16 000002 Funding Number: NFO 596 16 000002 Agency: El Salvador USAID-San Salvador Category: Other Funding Amount: $24,900,000 |
| OVW FY 2016 Consolidated Grant Program to Address Children and Youth Experiencing Domestic and Sexual Assault and Engage Men and Boys as Allies Apply for OVW 2016 9002 Funding Number: OVW 2016 9002 Agency: Office on Violence Against Women Category: Other Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Providing Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Expertise for the Strong Cities Network Apply for CTP CTAQM 16 002 Funding Number: CTP CTAQM 16 002 Agency: Bureau of Counterterrorism Category: Other Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Safeguard against Vulnerabilities for Women and for Children in the NEA Region Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 048 Funding Number: DRLA DRLAQM 16 048 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| DRL FY16 Strengthening Investigative Journalism in Sri Lanka Apply for DRLA DRLAQM 16 056 Funding Number: DRLA DRLAQM 16 056 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Apply for DHS 16 GPD 067 00 01 Funding Number: DHS 16 GPD 067 00 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) Apply for DHS 16 GPD 057 00 01 Funding Number: DHS 16 GPD 057 00 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) Apply for DHS 16 GPD 075 00 02 Funding Number: DHS 16 GPD 075 00 02 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) Apply for DHS 16 GPD 067 00 02 Funding Number: DHS 16 GPD 067 00 02 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) Apply for DHS 16 GPD 056 00 01 Funding Number: DHS 16 GPD 056 00 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Apply for DHS 16 GPD 008 00 01 Funding Number: DHS 16 GPD 008 00 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) - Amtrak Apply for DHS 16 GPD 075 00 01 Funding Number: DHS 16 GPD 075 00 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Other Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Supporting Libya through Political Transition Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 16 002 Funding Number: NEAAC ACMEPI 16 002 Agency: Assistance Coordination Category: Other Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Promoting U.S. Private Sector Engagement in Emerging MENA Markets Apply for SFOP0004952 Funding Number: SFOP0004952 Agency: Assistance Coordination Category: Other Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Banjul PDS Annual Program Statement Apply for PDS BJL FY24 APS Funding Number: PDS BJL FY24 APS Agency: U.S. Mission to Gambia Category: Other Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| Essential Elements of a Pretrial System and Agency Toolkit Apply for 24CS20 Funding Number: 24CS20 Agency: National Institute of Corrections Category: Other Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| DRL Global Support Program on Disability Inclusion Practices Apply for DFOP0014339 Funding Number: DFOP0014339 Agency: Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other Funding Amount: $400,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA 688 16 000003", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.