The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has issued a *Request for Information (RFI)* for the forthcoming *USAID Education for Social Prosperity* activity. This initiative aims to increase access to safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive learning opportunities for children and youth aged 6 to 17 in the Kasai region. With an anticipated total funding of **$12-14 million**, the program seeks to address persistent educational challenges exacerbated by poverty, infrastructural deficits, and the lingering effects of conflict. By leveraging lessons learned from previous investments in education, the activity will emphasize tailored approaches for girls and support community resilience.

The Kasai region, which includes Kasai, Kasai Central, and Kasai Oriental provinces, faces significant barriers to education. These include overcrowded schools, high dropout rates, insecurity, gender-based violence, early pregnancies, poor infrastructure, and the absence of adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Girls, indigenous and linguistic minorities, learners with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected. Additionally, long distances to schools, financial constraints, and cultural and social norms further limit access to education, particularly for girls.

The *Education for Social Prosperity* activity will focus on promoting gender equity, improving teacher professional development, strengthening school-based child and youth protection mechanisms, integrating WASH and nutrition services, and fostering culturally and linguistically inclusive educational practices. It will also explore opportunities for public-private partnerships, leverage community resources, and address barriers to education in remote and climate-affected areas. Teacher training and support, as well as governance and local stakeholder engagement, are expected to be central components of the program.

Key areas of focus include evidence-based practices to enhance girls' participation in education, social behavior change interventions, and strengthening local governance structures for sustainable outcomes. The initiative also seeks innovative solutions for improving access to education in remote and climate-affected regions and strategies for equipping youth with functional literacy, numeracy, and life skills to improve their employability and engagement in livelihoods.

USAID encourages feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including private sector actors, public institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, industry associations, academia, and think tanks. Interested parties are invited to provide concise and specific responses to a set of key questions regarding gender-responsive approaches, child protection mechanisms, teacher development, community engagement, and leveraging local and private sector resources.

Responses should be submitted in **English or French** via email to **drcoaa@usaid.gov** and **mkadima@usaid.gov** with the subject line: *"Request for Information (RFI): 72066025RFI00002 USAID/DRC Education for Social Prosperity"*. The deadline for submission is **January 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM local time in Kinshasa, DRC**.

While this RFI is not a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), responses will help inform USAID/DRC’s design of the *Education for Social Prosperity* activity to ensure effective alignment with local needs, government priorities, and best practices in education programming.