Regional and Local Support for Elections and Political Transitions | SOL OAA 15 000106

Opportunity Information: Apply for SOL OAA 15 000106

The grant opportunity titled "Regional and Local Support for Elections and Political Transitions" (Funding Opportunity Number SOL-OAA-15-000106) is a USAID funding solicitation aimed at strengthening democratic elections and broader political transition processes. It is issued under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and is managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), specifically through the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance and its Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (often referred to as the DRG Center). In practical terms, the solicitation is designed to help USAID partner with organizations that can provide hands-on, technically credible support to improve the quality, credibility, and resilience of electoral and political systems, with an emphasis on national and regional impact.

The opportunity is structured as a discretionary award using a Cooperative Agreement. That matters because a cooperative agreement usually implies substantial involvement by USAID during implementation, such as close coordination on work planning, technical approaches, and adaptive responses to shifting political conditions. The activity category is listed as Regional Development (CFDA 98.001), which signals that the work is expected to have cross-cutting development relevance and may be implemented across multiple countries or within regions rather than being confined to a single locality. The overarching purpose is to provide technical assistance and other forms of support that strengthen democratic electoral and political processes, especially during moments of transition when political institutions can be fragile and when credible elections can either stabilize or inflame tensions.

USAID indicates it is seeking applications specifically from eligible regional and local organizations. While the public summary does not spell out the full eligibility rules, it points applicants to the full solicitation package and, in particular, to Section III ("Eligibility Information") of the attached funding opportunity description. The focus on regional and local organizations suggests USAID is prioritizing partners with contextual knowledge, established networks, and the ability to operate effectively in complex political environments. This kind of solicitation typically aims to bolster locally grounded technical capacity while improving the sustainability and legitimacy of democracy support efforts.

From the description provided, the expected programmatic scope centers on technical assistance and support for democratic electoral and political processes at both national and regional levels. While the summary does not list specific activities, the framing implies support that could span the election cycle and political transition timeline, such as strengthening electoral administration, improving transparency and integrity mechanisms, supporting inclusive political participation, enhancing dispute resolution or confidence-building measures, and reinforcing systems that help political competition remain peaceful and rules-based. The emphasis on both elections and political transitions also indicates that USAID is not only interested in election-day mechanics, but also in the broader institutional and political conditions that shape whether elections lead to legitimate governance, stable transfers of power, and improved accountability.

On the funding side, the solicitation lists an award ceiling of $37,500,000, indicating the potential for a large-scale program or a set of activities substantial enough to cover multiple contexts, rapid-response needs, or multi-year technical engagement. The notice does not clearly state the number of expected awards in the summary text (it appears blank), so it is not possible to tell from the provided information whether USAID intended to make one large award or multiple awards under the ceiling. The posting shows a creation date of September 16, 2015, and an original closing date of December 16, 2015, which places it within a defined application window typical of competitive USAID solicitations.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a major USAID democracy and governance funding mechanism intended to mobilize capable regional and local partners to deliver practical, politically informed assistance that strengthens elections and supports democratic political transitions. Anyone seeking to apply would need to consult the full attachment referenced in the notice (SOL-OAA-15-000106) to understand the detailed program objectives, allowable activities, geographic or thematic priorities, reporting requirements, cost principles, and the exact eligibility criteria described in Section III.

• The Agency for International Development in the regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Regional and Local Support for Elections and Political Transitions" 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 2015-09-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2015-12-16. (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 $37,500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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