The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking concept notes under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) #72067425RFA00003, titled “Sustainable Skills for Sustainable Communities (SS4SC).” This program supports the Government of South Africa’s (GoSA) Just Energy Transition (JET) goals by focusing on the economic diversification of communities in Mpumalanga, South Africa, particularly those impacted by coal plant closures. USAID intends to award up to $5 million over five years, contingent on funding availability. The selection process will be conducted in two phases: Phase I involves the submission of concept notes, and Phase II entails co-creation and submission of full applications.

The primary objective of the SS4SC program is to strengthen partnerships between the private sector and skills development providers to deliver industry-aligned skills training that enhances employment and earning opportunities in Mpumalanga’s transitioning communities. The program focuses on sustainable and green skills in sectors like smart agriculture, sustainable tourism, finance, and transportation, which align with Mpumalanga's green economy and economic growth aspirations. The goal is to provide youth (ages 15-34) and affected workers, including those indirectly dependent on coal-related industries, with the technical and soft skills needed for meaningful economic participation in a low-carbon future.

Funding can be used for interventions that: develop industry-endorsed skills programs in Mpumalanga's coal belt, deliver work-based learning opportunities, and unlock earning opportunities for marginalized groups. The program encourages innovative, replicable solutions emphasizing private sector involvement, labor market alignment, and inclusivity for historically underrepresented groups. Construction and infrastructure activities are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate strong private sector partnerships, provide labor market analyses, and ensure interventions adhere to principles of distributive, restorative, and procedural justice.

Eligibility is open to U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including partnerships and joint ventures. Applicants are not required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) when submitting a Phase I concept note but must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Registration in SAM will be necessary for organizations invited to submit a full application. Applicants must include a detailed concept note (up to 7 pages) addressing program objectives, private sector partnerships, local collaboration, and alignment with JET goals, along with annexes detailing organizational capacity and market research.

Concept notes will be evaluated on five criteria, including private sector partnership approaches, local collaboration, evidence-based skills development strategies, alignment with JET principles, and sustainability and scalability of interventions. Selected applicants from Phase I will proceed to Phase II for co-creation workshops and potential submission of a full application.

The deadline for submitting questions is January 30, 2025, at 17:00 South African Time, and concept notes must be submitted by February 18, 2025, at 15:00 South African Time. Submissions must be sent via email in English as Microsoft Word or PDF attachments to the specified USAID email addresses. Additional information and updates can be accessed on www.grants.gov.