Site-based Conservation (Mikajy) under Conservation and Communities Project in Madagascar.

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Madagascar, is seeking comments on the Statement of Objectives (SOO) for the Site-based conservation activities under Conservation and Communities Project as described in the attached request document. These comments will assist USAID in finalizing this SOO. The Conservation and Communities Project will encompass two primary activities that will be mutually supportive. One will be a site-based conservation activity named Mikajy, which means "taking good care of" in Malagasy that will work to reduce threats to targeted protected areas and High Biodiversity Value (HBV) ecosystems through improved management, increased economic opportunities, access to social services, and support for more secure land and natural resource property and use rights. The other activity, Hay Tao, meaning "know how" in Malagasy, will assist a wide array of development partners, including the Ministry of Environment, Ecology, Sea and Forests (MEEMF), to enhance the enabling conditions and policy frameworks supporting improved management of biodiversity resources, enhanced security of land and natural resource use rights, and effective civil society engagement. Hay Tao's efforts will target support for Mikajy that can be applied more broadly across Madagascar. Hay Tao will also assist in data collection and sharing as well as supporting the community of practice. RFI questions for Mikajy are as follows: 1. Given that this program will not be able to operate effectively in all five potential priority zones identified due to funding realities, how many of these zones could reasonably be managed under this activity? 2. How realistic are the partnership opportunities for USAID with private sector organizations or other organizations in terms of the private sector funding and supporting the livelihood activities under Intermediate Result 2? 3. Understanding that USAID is relying solely on biodiversity funding to implement this program, are there other areas of engagement that USAID should consider in addressing threats to biodiversity? 4. Given how variable land tenure security and land use planning are across Madagascar, how should USAID address concerns about land and natural resource use rights at the local level to optimize enhanced management and increased livelihoods in and around areas of High Biodiversity Value? 5. USAID appreciates any additional input in response to this RFI. We would appreciate it that comments to this Request for Information be received by the Government electronically to [email protected] on or before 11:00 a.m. Antananarivo local time on March 18, 2016. Submission of hard copies is not required. The issuance of this announcement in no way obligates the U.S Agency for International Development to award a grant, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of an application in response hereto. Furthermore, USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted and to negotiate separately with an applicant if such an action is considered to be in the interest of the USG.