The USAID Mission in Sri Lanka is seeking qualified professionals and organizations to provide information regarding a proposed civil society program aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance over a four-year period, with a funding cap of $10 million. The initiative is designed to address the challenges faced by civil society in Sri Lanka, particularly in light of recent political changes, and aims to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs) by promoting collaboration, expanding civil space, and improving organizational capacities. Interested parties are invited to submit their feedback on the program's components, additional support needed, potential outcomes, and suggestions for effective consortiums and sustainability opportunities for CSOs. Responses to the Request for Information (RFI) are due by March 23, 2016, and should be directed to Mr. Robert Parnell at rparnell@usaid.gov.

RFI-383-17-GVP-CS.docx

The USAID Mission in Sri Lanka is requesting information from qualified NGO professionals regarding a proposed civil society program aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance over a four-year period, with funding capped at $10 million. This initiative responds to previous challenges faced by civil society in Sri Lanka, particularly during an era of authoritarianism, and aims to leverage the new government’s willingness to collaborate with civil society to support democratic reforms. The program's objectives include advancing civil society organizations (CSOs) in transparency efforts, encouraging collaboration among civil society actors, expanding civil society space, and bolstering the organizational capacities of CSOs. It seeks to capitalize on the recent political changes while addressing the stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction over issues like corruption. The RFI invites feedback on the proposed components, additional support needed, potential high-level outcomes, suggestions to refine the project goals, and the identification of effective consortiums and sustainability opportunities for CSOs. Responses are due by March 23, 2016.

USAID requests that civil society sector professionals and institutions provide information and recommendations for a more effective project design.The request for information shall address the following:&#9679; Do the components identified respond to the development needs of Sri Lanka&#8217;s civil society sector?&#9679; In addition to what has already been identified, what other types of assistance are needed to strengthen and support civil society in Sri Lanka&#8217;s current social-political context?&#9679; What high-level results can be achieved through this program? &#9679; Suggestions to improve proposed goals and objectives. &#9679; What key issues and policies should civil society focus on to advance transparency, accountability and good governance and why? What mechanisms should be used to address these issues and policies? &#9679; What consortiums would be effective in addressing transparency, accountability, and good governance?&#9679; What do you envision as opportunities for financial viability and sustainability of CSOs?Please limit your responses to a maximum of three pages.Responses regarding this Request for Information (RFI) are to be submitted in writing to: Mr. Harsha Kaluarachchi, Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at srilankaprocurement@usaid.gov with copies to the attention of Mr. Robert Parnell, Contracting Officer at rparnell@usaid.gov, by March 23, 2016 at 1700 (Colombo time)

Robert Parnell &lt;br/&gt;Contracting Officer &lt;br/&gt;Phone 94112498028

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