Rural organizations and environmental conservation : activity no. 519-0438 -- new activity document

The activity will consist of two major components, the first managed by a U.S. institution, the second managed directly by USAID. The estimated number of small grower beneficiaries and/or cooperative members to be assisted under both components is 15,000. The U.S. institution will provide sub-grant assistance, along with TA in the areas of management, environment, finance-accounting, marketing, and technology transfer, to approximately five secondary-level rural organizations. The latter will be responsible, in conjunction with the U.S. institution, for developing a self-sustaining marketing and production technology unit to provide services in these areas to its small producer membership and other primary-level groups and individuals. Potential sub-grantees include, among others, PROEXSAL, AGRODESA, UCRAPROBEX, REDES, CORDES, Fundacion Campo, and PROESA. To expand access to technology/marketing services, this component will also promote active affiliation to primary-level groups and the formation of new groups of those rural residents that do not belong to an organization. Under the second component, USAID management will receive unsolicited proposals for innovative projects to expand access of technical and marketing services to the rural poor, as well as environmental conservation. Proposals which are accepted will receive small grants (less than $100,000) that must be fully implemented within a 1-year period. Applicants to this component should be organizations not assisted under the first component. USAID will develop selection criteria for the type of activities to be selected.