Description
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Embassy Praia of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to enhance Cabo Verde's climate resilience and adaptability by implementing comprehensive dune restoration strategies. In addition, the project should amplify awareness of dunes' ecological significance and encourage sustainable eco-tourism practices, leading to better public policy and reduced coastal flooding. In Cabo Verde, efforts to restore dunes and coastal areas are in their infancy, yet they are critical due to the archipelago's unique vulnerabilities to climate change. This project proposes a strategy for dune restoration to counteract the severe implications of environmental degradation, such as sand mining and off-road driving. With projections from the Food and Agricultural Organization indicating that significant tourist zones in Cabo Verde could be submerged by 2070, the urgency for adopting best practices in dune restoration cannot be overstated. Cabo Verde's low-lying areas are projected to face increased coastal flooding due to climate change. Sand dunes, which serve as natural barriers against such flooding, are under threat from human activities like sand mining, unregulated tourism, and off-road driving, which has compromised their protective capabilities, especially on the islands of Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, and Sao Vicente that have seen the rapid growth of beachfront hotels. Rapid tourism development, while economically beneficial, often overlooks environmental sustainability, leading to habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity, including species like sea turtles that depend on healthy dune ecosystems. Additionally, key actors lack awareness and management capacity to protect and restore these vital areas. Addressing these challenges is imperative for enhancing the ecological resilience of Cabo Verde's coastal regions, safeguarding biodiversity, and ensuring the sustainable development of its tourism industry, the largest sector of its economy. By focusing on dune restoration, the project will contribute to climate adaptation, safeguard coastal communities, and promote the conservation of natural resources. Specific benefits include fortifying coastal resilience through natural barrier reinforcement, fostering biodiversity conservation by preserving habitats for key species, and encouraging community-driven sustainability efforts. The project aims to rehabilitate degraded coastal dunes, facilitate access to restored areas for educational purposes, and foster sustainable ecotourism that benefits local communities, stakeholders, and biodiversity. By integrating global restoration practices, this project will not only shield coastlines but also preserve the ecological and economic well-being of the region for future generations. Dune protection and restoration initiatives should be environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial, while also boosting local and tourist awareness of the importance of dunes in climate change adaptation. Given the pilot approach of the project, applicants should explain in their proposals how they would leverage the initial grant to pursue additional funding. The proposed implementation strategy should involve relevant expertise and know-how in the design and implementation phases of the project and include relevant partnerships relevant government entities at the central and local level, with non-governmental, community-based organizations, municipalities, central government departments, and/or other relevant entities. Proposed projects should build monitoring and evaluation - including time-bound milestones for performance/results – into the project. Participants and Audiences: Main project beneficiaries are the local populations of the targeted areas. Given the awareness component of the project, it is expected that there may be positive knock-on effects at the national level as more access to information leads to more people benefiting from project implementation than originally planned. Priority Region: Project activities will be implemented in Cabo Verde. Proposals should prioritize high-value tourism sites and specify targeted areas where restoration works could be completed with the available budget and within the anticipated period of performance. Program Goal: By the end of the performance period, the project will strengthen climate resilience and adaptability by completing dune restoration strategies at the selected area and implementing awareness of dunes' ecological significance and of sustainable eco-tourism practices. Program Objectives: Objective 1: Implement Sustainable Dune Restoration Techniques: Champion the use of evidence-based, sustainable practices to safeguard biodiversity and stop erosion. Objective 2: Integrate Ecotourism: Help drive localized climate adaptation projects promoting the integration of sustainable eco-tourism as an economic development tool. Objective 3: Strengthen Capacity and Awareness: Build local expertise and leadership and heighten awareness of the ecological importance of dunes through educational initiatives, leading to policy change at the central and municipal levels. Expected Results: Expected results of the project must at least include: Result 1: Launch dune restoration techniques, laying the groundwork for subsequent initiatives across Cabo Verde. Result 2: Enhance capacity at local and national levels for executing dune restoration projects. Result 3: Elevate awareness and engagement among the local population regarding the value of coastal dunes to prevent flooding and conserve biodiversity. Main Activities: Detailed activities should be proposed by applicants and include references to partnerships that the applicant will establish with relevant government entities at both the central and local levels, as well as with other stakeholders, These activities should include at minimum: - Forge technical partnerships to ensure successful dune restoration project execution. - Formulate a green belt plan to regulate visitor and vehicular access in crucial dune regions, adhering to best practices. - Design and implement cost-effective dune restoration strategies, not using invasive plants for dune restoration, but prioritizing native species recovery. - Host a workshop for Protected Area managers and conservation groups, imparting knowledge from dune restoration specialists. - With expert assistance, create adaptable protocols and guidelines for initiating dune restoration projects. - Establish an interpretive trail within a restoration site, complete with educational signage detailing the restoration process and its significance. - Produce and distribute an educational video, complemented by social media content, to broaden understanding and support for dune preservation efforts. Performance Indicators: The project should monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time bound. Applicants should establish, where possible, performance targets for each expected activity and result and include details on sources that will be used to document performance, how the indicators will be measured and frequency of measurement. Applicants shall use and add indicators to the list below and insert it in the proposed application document. Subsequent to the award, periodic reporting of indicators will be required. Adaptation Indicators: - Number of people trained in climate change adaptation supported by the project (USG assistance). - Number of institutions with improved capacity to assess or address climate change risks supported by the project (USG assistance). - Number of people supported by the project (USG assistance) to adapt to the effects of climate change. - Number of people using climate information or implementing risk-reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change as supported by the project (USG assistance) Key indicators: - Number of hectares with improved management. - Area of land or habitat under restoration in hectares. - Number of people with improved capacity. - Number of information panels placed informing about the restoration project. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Organizations can only submit one application in response to the NOFO. The Embassy may: (a) reject any or all applications, (b) accept an application other than the lowest cost application, or (c) waive informalities and minor irregularities in applications received. The Embassy may make the award on the basis of initial applications received, without discussions or negotiations. Therefore, each initial application should contain the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint. The U.S. government reserves the right to enter into discussions with one or more applicants in order to obtain clarifications, additional detail, or to suggest refinements in the project description, budget, or other aspects of an application. The funding instrument type for this award is a grant. Program Performance Period: The proposed program should be completed in two years or less. This notice is subject to availability of funding.