Ethiopia 101 Course | 720 663 22 RFI 00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 720 663 22 RFI 00001

This opportunity, titled "Ethiopia 101 Course" (Funding Opportunity Number 720-663-22-RFI-00001), is a USAID/Ethiopia request for information focused on setting up an introductory training course for incoming and recently arrived US government personnel assigned to Ethiopia. The idea is to deliver an intensive orientation of up to about 40 hours that helps staff across many sectors quickly build a solid baseline understanding of Ethiopia's history, society, economy, and the political and development issues they will encounter in their work. Although USAID is sponsoring the effort, the course is meant to be open to other US agencies at the US Embassy as well. A key feature of the design is creating a "safe space" learning environment where participants can ask candid questions and discuss sensitive topics without fear of judgment or attribution.

USAID is seeking a contractor that can assemble and manage a team of recognized specialists and researchers with deep expertise on Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa. They specifically want a mix of Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian voices so the training includes multiple perspectives and does not rely on a single narrative about the country. The contractor would be responsible for developing the course content, preparing and delivering presentations, and facilitating discussions. Delivery may be in-person, virtual, or a hybrid, depending on COVID-related protocols and practical considerations. USAID/Ethiopia would provide the physical training space and any needed media or presentation aids, and for in-person sessions they plan to provide light refreshments (snacks plus tea and coffee service in the morning and afternoon), but not full meals.

The RFI lays out proposed subject areas and asks respondents to react to them by suggesting what to keep, adjust, combine, or add. The draft themes include: Ethiopia's development path; culture and religion with an emphasis on avoiding cultural pitfalls while working in-country; debate over Ethiopia's political settlement (including ethno-federalism versus pan-Ethiopianism); the country's economic evolution and trends as it shifted from a Marxist to a more capitalist orientation; the two-way influence between society and government policy across different administrations; human rights; great power competition and Ethiopia's relationships with Russia, China, the US, and other regional actors; conflict dynamics; youth and gender; and potential future scenarios for Ethiopia. USAID is also explicitly asking for practical recommendations about how to structure the course in a busy embassy context, such as whether it should be delivered as a single intensive week, a series of shorter "brown bag" sessions, or modules spread over weeks or months. They also want suggestions on what pre-reading or preparation students should do ahead of time, what would make the training effective, and how to broaden access to the content through approaches like filming sessions or sharing reference materials.

From a process standpoint, this is not a traditional grant application but an information-gathering step (an RFI) that USAID may use to shape a future procurement or training approach. Responses are to be submitted by email to caddis@usaid.gov, with a copy to mgirma@usaid.gov, and the email subject line must read "720-663-22-RFI-00001". The deadline listed in the source information is 2021-12-15, with submission required by 1600 Addis Ababa time on the response due date. USAID notes that it is not obligated to acknowledge receipt, answer questions, or provide feedback on submissions. They also emphasize that anything submitted becomes USAID property, will not be returned, can be used without restriction, and should not include proprietary information. Respondents are asked to briefly describe their organization's capability, interest, and an illustrative roster of potential subject matter experts who could deliver the course. The listing also indicates an award ceiling of $150,000, eligibility marked as unrestricted, an education activity category, and CFDA number 98.001.

• The Ethiopia USAID-Addis Ababa in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ethiopia 101 Course" 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 2021-11-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-12-15. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for 720 663 22 RFI 00001

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