Department of State U.S. Embassy Cotonou Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Federal Awarding Agency name: Political and Economic Section, U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Department of State Funding Opportunity Title: Ambassadors Resilience Fund (ARF) Funding Opportunity Number: Cotonou-ARF-FY2024-001 Opening of Submission: April 10, 2024 Deadline for Submission: June 12, 2024 Assistance Listing Number: 19.979 Total Amount Available: $100,000.00 Maximum for each award: $25,000.00 Point of Contact: CotonouGrants@state.gov ; Tel (+229) 21367658; (+229) 21367724 Eligibility Category: Benin-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES U.S. Embassy Cotonou is pleased to announce an open competition for non-governmental organizations to apply for the Ambassadors Resilience Fund (ARF). The United States is committed to strengthening global resiliency and democratic renewal, and promoting peaceful, self-reliant nations that become strong economic and security partners capable of addressing shared challenges. The United States Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) seeks to break the costly cycle of fragility and promote peaceful and self-reliant nations. The goal of the ARF is to strengthen the ability of local actors to address cross-border security threats by reinforcing social cohesion, enhancing community engagement capabilities, mitigating education, economic and environmental vulnerabilities in the region and in particular in at risk communities in Benin. A detailed description of ARF grants and guidelines are below. Please read carefully to see if your project is eligible to apply for these funds. A grant of up to $25,000 U.S. Dollars (USD) in FY 2024 Economic Support Fund (ESF) resources will be awarded (pending fund availability) for work that will support program objectives below. Priority Region: Northern Benin, including the Alibori, Borgou, Atacora and Donga departments. Background: The Coastal West African (CWA) region is facing a continuous deterioration of the security situation linked to several factors. In recent years, regions in and surrounding Benin have faced recurring economic and climate shocks and have become fertile ground for violent extremist organizations (VEO) expanding from the Sahel. U.S. Embassy Cotonou, in support of the U.S. Government efforts to prevent conflict and promote stability, calls for suitable proposals addressing poverty and vulnerability in the communities, focusing on entrepreneurship by youth and womens cooperatives, and contributing to building resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and promoting social cohesion. The ARF aims to improve access to livelihoods and economic opportunities, in support of the Beninese governments efforts to address the spread of violent extremism and insecurity in Benin. The program will specifically target youth who constitute the most vulnerable sector of the society, to curb poverty and vulnerability, which are the fundamental weaknesses that VEOs exploit for recruitment.