Paraguay Local Works Initiative | 72052622APS00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72052622APS00001

The Paraguay Local Works Initiative is a USAID/Paraguay funding opportunity designed to support community-led development by shifting more leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving to local actors. Through this Annual Program Statement (APS), USAID/Paraguay is inviting applications from both non-profit and for-profit organizations to carry out activities that help communities and grassroots groups identify their own priorities, align around a shared agenda, and build networks or alliances that can realistically deliver results. The core idea is that local organizations and community stakeholders are best positioned to define what development should look like in their context, and this initiative is meant to strengthen that locally driven approach rather than impose externally designed solutions.

A central feature of the initiative is its emphasis on collective action: local actors are expected to come together, agree on common goals, and collaborate through partnerships, coalitions, or other forms of coordination. The program is framed around empowering grassroots organizations to take leadership in community-level development processes, with additional guidance referenced in the opportunity document (notably in Section H, Other Information). USAID/Paraguay indicates that support may include both financial assistance and non-financial assistance, which typically can involve capacity strengthening, facilitation, technical advice, or other forms of accompaniment that help local groups implement and sustain their own plans.

The application process begins with a concept paper rather than a full proposal. Applicants must submit a concept paper of no more than three pages, responding to specific questions listed in the APS under the application instructions (Section D) and using the required format provided in the Concept Paper Template (Attachment 1). This structure suggests the APS is intended to be accessible and to lower the initial burden on applicants, while allowing USAID/Paraguay to screen ideas and identify the most promising concepts before potentially requesting more detailed submissions.

This is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by USAID/Paraguay (USAID-Asuncion), listed under the Community Development activity area (CFDA 98.001). Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is open to a wide range of entity types as long as they meet any additional conditions explained in the APS text. The funding opportunity number is 72052622APS00001, originally posted on May 2, 2022, with an original closing date of May 1, 2023. USAID anticipates making up to five awards, with an award ceiling of $2,000,000, though the APS clearly notes that USAID may make multiple awards or none at all depending on the quality and suitability of the applications received.

In practical terms, organizations considering this opportunity should be prepared to show how they will facilitate locally defined priorities, build or strengthen community networks and alliances, and support grassroots leadership in a way that is credible and grounded in local realities. Since the APS highlights both financial and non-financial support, strong concept papers will typically describe not only what activities will be funded, but also how communities will be engaged in decision-making, how collaboration will be sustained, and how local ownership will continue beyond the award period.

• The Agency for International Development, Paraguay USAID-Asuncion in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Paraguay Local Works Initiative" 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 May 02, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 01, 2023. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for 72052622APS00001

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