The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has issued a request for information (RFI) regarding the activity titled "Strengthening Services for Children, Adolescents, Youth and Families in the HIV Epidemic in Eswatini." This RFI is intended solely for planning purposes and does not constitute a request for proposals or a formal funding opportunity. It aims to gather information, insights, and suggestions from stakeholders and interested organizations to inform and refine USAID's upcoming program design for children, adolescents, youth, and families affected by the HIV epidemic in Eswatini. The activity seeks to build on the successes of the HIV response in the country, support sustainable interventions, and align efforts with the Government of Eswatini's strategic priorities.

The proposed activity focuses on preventing new HIV infections and enhancing the resilience of children, adolescents, youth, and families living with or affected by HIV. The activity anticipates delivering evidence-based and high-impact interventions that address HIV prevention and social protection while strengthening local partner capacity and regional social service systems. The activity aims to ensure that populations, including orphans and vulnerable children, adolescent girls and young women, caregivers, and youth, have access to appropriate health, social, and economic support services. Key objectives include linking children and adolescents to HIV care and treatment, reducing new infections, and addressing structural challenges such as gender-based violence, economic vulnerability, and education gaps.

USAID seeks to address several programmatic considerations, including local capacity building, sustainability of program gains, systematic identification of the most vulnerable populations, meaningful youth engagement, and promotion of gender equality. The activity will integrate case management, community mobilization, and innovative approaches to streamline service delivery while ensuring inclusivity and child safeguarding. Comprehensive interventions are expected to address factors that lead to HIV infection, such as gender-based violence, economic hardship, and community norms that contribute to HIV risk.

Organizations responding to the RFI are encouraged to provide input on specific questions posed by USAID. These questions focus on identifying key barriers to HIV prevention, the most impactful interventions, innovative approaches, effective economic strengthening models, human resources strategies, and transitioning interventions to government leadership for long-term sustainability. Responses will also help USAID identify strategies to build the capacity of community-based organizations to support a sustainable HIV response.

Responses to the RFI are required to include a narrative statement and a capabilities statement. The narrative should address any of the questions posed by USAID based on the organization's expertise, with responses limited to five pages. The capabilities statement, limited to one page, should highlight the organization's technical experience, understanding of PEPFAR programs, capacity to manage donor funds and multi-million-dollar budgets, and existing or potential partnerships. USAID also anticipates holding an Industry Day Conference in Mbabane, Eswatini, to address questions and facilitate networking among interested organizations.

The deadline for submissions is January 10, 2025, at 17:00 local time in Southern Africa. Responses must be submitted electronically to proposals@usaid.gov with the subject line specified in the RFI. Submissions should not include applications, resumes, or promotional materials. USAID reserves the right to use the information provided for planning purposes while maintaining confidentiality. Interested organizations are encouraged to monitor the U.S. Embassy's Facebook page for updates regarding the Industry Day Conference.