Opportunity Information: Apply for 72052021RFA00008
The KEM opportunity (a Maya K-iche word meaning "weaving") is a USAID/Guatemala funding call focused on increasing meaningful participation of youth and Indigenous Peoples in development and decision-making across Guatemala, from the community level up through municipal, regional, and national spaces. The central idea behind the opportunity is to "weave" together stronger relationships, skills, and platforms so that young people and Indigenous communities are not just consulted occasionally, but are consistently able to influence development priorities, public services, and policies that affect their lives. The program is framed to align with USAID guidance on youth inclusion and Indigenous rights, and it emphasizes practical engagement that results in stronger local development outcomes, especially in areas hit hardest by COVID-19 impacts.
USAID is looking for concept proposals that contribute to four main objectives. First, applicants should propose listening and learning activities that help USAID and partners better understand youth and Indigenous perspectives, while also building the ability of youth and Indigenous participants to engage effectively in development processes. This part is explicitly tied to USAID's Youth in Development Policy and USAID's Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, meaning the work should reflect rights-respecting approaches, inclusive participation, and capacity building that goes beyond one-time workshops. The expectation is that interventions will strengthen both the channels for participation (forums, dialogues, feedback mechanisms) and the skills needed to use those channels well (leadership, advocacy, communication, organizing, and engagement with institutions).
Second, proposals are expected to support implementation of USAID/Guatemala's Indigenous Peoples' Engagement Strategy (noted as available in Spanish). In practical terms, this means the activity should not operate as a standalone project with unrelated goals, but instead should reinforce and advance USAID/Guatemala's existing approach for partnering with Indigenous Peoples. Concepts should show how proposed actions will translate that strategy into real engagement, such as improving how institutions consult with Indigenous communities, strengthening culturally appropriate participation methods, or addressing barriers that prevent Indigenous representation in local and national development processes.
Third, the opportunity prioritizes strengthening collaboration between the Government of Guatemala (at both local and national levels) and Indigenous Peoples' Authorities. This support is meant to align with the government's La Ruta, Reunion entre Pueblos initiative (referred to as La Ruta) and related efforts that aim to build partnerships among government, Indigenous authorities, civil society, and the private sector. The intended result is improved coordination and trust, leading to better services and quality of life in predominantly Indigenous regions. This suggests that USAID is interested in concepts that can bridge institutions and communities, improve joint planning, facilitate dialogue, and help different actors work together more effectively, especially where relationships may be strained or where coordination has historically been limited.
Fourth, USAID is seeking approaches that strengthen the capacity of youth and Indigenous organizations to advance local development, with particular attention to communities most affected by COVID-19. This points toward organizational strengthening and resilience work, such as improving governance, management, strategic planning, community outreach, partnership building, and the ability to design and carry out local initiatives. The COVID-19 emphasis indicates that USAID expects applicants to consider pandemic-related setbacks, such as economic disruption, education interruptions, health system strain, and increased vulnerability for marginalized groups, and to propose ways youth and Indigenous organizations can respond and recover while continuing to participate in development planning.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Guatemala (USAID-Guatemala City). It is an earmark opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement funding instrument, which typically implies substantial involvement by USAID during implementation, including collaboration on priorities, learning, and adaptation. The funding opportunity number is 72052021RFA00008, the CFDA number listed is 98.001, and the activity category is Community Development. The posting indicates an award ceiling of $2,000,000 and an expected number of awards listed as 50. The opportunity was created on May 26, 2021, with an original closing date of July 28, 2021. Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, implying that a range of organizations may be able to apply depending on the specific eligibility language.
Overall, KEM is essentially a participation-and-partnerships grant designed to strengthen the voice, influence, and organizational capability of youth and Indigenous Peoples, while also improving how government and Indigenous authorities collaborate through structured initiatives like La Ruta. Concepts are expected to be grounded in listening, learning, and rights-respecting engagement, and to translate inclusion into concrete improvements in local development planning and service outcomes, particularly in Indigenous regions and communities facing intensified challenges following COVID-19.Apply for 72052021RFA00008
- The Agency for International Development, Guatemala USAID-Guatemala City in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "KEM (Maya-K’iche’ word that means “weaving”) STRENGTHENING ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUTH AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 26, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 28, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USAID/Guatemala "KEM" Opportunity
1) What is the KEM opportunity?
KEM is a USAID/Guatemala funding opportunity focused on increasing meaningful participation of youth and Indigenous Peoples in development and decision-making across Guatemala. "KEM" is a Maya K-iche word meaning "weaving," reflecting the goal of weaving stronger relationships, skills, and platforms so youth and Indigenous communities can consistently influence development priorities, public services, and policies.
2) What problem is this opportunity trying to address?
The opportunity aims to move participation beyond occasional consultation and toward consistent, practical influence by youth and Indigenous Peoples in community, municipal, regional, and national development spaces. It also responds to COVID-19 impacts, especially in regions and communities where the pandemic intensified existing vulnerabilities and disrupted services and livelihoods.
3) Who is issuing this funding call?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Guatemala (USAID-Guatemala City).
4) What type of funding instrument is KEM using?
KEM is an earmark opportunity using a Cooperative Agreement. This typically implies substantial involvement by USAID during implementation, including collaboration on priorities, learning, and adaptation.
5) What is the main goal of KEM in plain language?
The main goal is to strengthen the voice and influence of youth and Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala by improving participation channels (forums, dialogues, feedback mechanisms), building practical engagement skills (leadership, advocacy, communication, organizing, engagement with institutions), and strengthening partnerships and coordination among communities, Indigenous authorities, and government institutions.
6) What are the four main objectives proposals should contribute to?
Concept proposals are expected to contribute to four objectives:
- Listening and learning activities that deepen understanding of youth and Indigenous perspectives and build participants' ability to engage effectively in development processes.
- Support for implementation of USAID/Guatemala's Indigenous Peoples' Engagement Strategy (available in Spanish), translating it into real engagement rather than operating as a disconnected standalone project.
- Strengthening collaboration between the Government of Guatemala (local and national) and Indigenous Peoples' Authorities, aligned with the government's La Ruta, Reunion entre Pueblos initiative (La Ruta).
- Strengthening the capacity of youth and Indigenous organizations to advance local development, with attention to communities most affected by COVID-19.
7) What does "meaningful participation" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the opportunity description, meaningful participation means youth and Indigenous Peoples are not only consulted, but are able to consistently engage and influence decisions about development priorities, service delivery, and policies that affect their lives. It includes both having access to participation spaces and having the skills and support to use those spaces effectively.
8) What kinds of activities fit under the first objective (listening and learning)?
The opportunity calls for listening and learning activities that help USAID and partners better understand youth and Indigenous perspectives, while also strengthening participants' ability to engage effectively. The description highlights strengthening participation channels (such as forums, dialogues, and feedback mechanisms) and building practical skills (leadership, advocacy, communication, organizing, and engagement with institutions).
9) Which USAID policies is the first objective tied to?
The first objective is explicitly tied to USAID's Youth in Development Policy and USAID's Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The opportunity indicates the work should reflect rights-respecting approaches, inclusive participation, and capacity building that goes beyond one-time workshops.
10) Does KEM expect capacity building to be more than workshops?
Yes. The description emphasizes capacity building that goes beyond one-time workshops. The expectation is to strengthen both the channels for participation and the skills needed to engage effectively over time.
11) What does it mean to support USAID/Guatemala's Indigenous Peoples' Engagement Strategy?
It means proposals should reinforce and advance USAID/Guatemala's existing approach for partnering with Indigenous Peoples rather than creating a standalone project with unrelated goals. Concepts should show how proposed actions translate the strategy into real engagement (for example, improving how institutions consult with Indigenous communities, strengthening culturally appropriate participation methods, or addressing barriers to Indigenous representation).
12) Is the Indigenous Peoples' Engagement Strategy available in English?
The opportunity notes the Indigenous Peoples' Engagement Strategy as available in Spanish.
13) What is La Ruta, Reunion entre Pueblos (La Ruta), and why does it matter here?
La Ruta is described as a Government of Guatemala initiative focused on building partnerships among government, Indigenous authorities, civil society, and the private sector. KEM prioritizes concepts that strengthen collaboration between government institutions (local and national) and Indigenous Peoples' Authorities in ways aligned with La Ruta and related efforts.
14) What kinds of results are expected from government and Indigenous authorities collaboration?
The intended result is improved coordination and trust, leading to better services and quality of life in predominantly Indigenous regions. The opportunity suggests concepts that bridge institutions and communities through joint planning, facilitated dialogue, and stronger coordination, especially where relationships have been strained or historically limited.
15) What does the fourth objective emphasize for youth and Indigenous organizations?
The fourth objective emphasizes strengthening the capacity of youth and Indigenous organizations to advance local development, with particular attention to communities most affected by COVID-19. The description points toward organizational strengthening and resilience, including governance, management, strategic planning, community outreach, partnership building, and the ability to design and carry out local initiatives.
16) How should COVID-19 be addressed in concept proposals?
The opportunity indicates applicants should consider COVID-19-related setbacks such as economic disruption, education interruptions, health system strain, and increased vulnerability for marginalized groups. Proposals should include ways youth and Indigenous organizations can respond and recover while continuing to participate in development planning and decision-making.
17) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category listed for KEM is Community Development.
18) What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?
The funding opportunity number is 72052021RFA00008, and the CFDA number listed is 98.001.
19) What is the award ceiling?
The posting indicates an award ceiling of $2,000,000.
20) How many awards does USAID expect to make?
The posting lists an expected number of awards of 50.
21) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on May 26, 2021, with an original closing date of July 28, 2021.
22) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This indicates a range of organizations may be able to apply, depending on the specific eligibility language in the complete notice.
23) Is this opportunity limited to a specific geographic scope within Guatemala?
The opportunity focuses on participation and decision-making across Guatemala, from community-level spaces to municipal, regional, and national levels. It also places emphasis on predominantly Indigenous regions and communities most affected by COVID-19 impacts.
24) What does it mean that KEM is an "earmark opportunity"?
The posting describes KEM as an earmark opportunity. Based on the information provided, it is presented as a specific funding call under USAID/Guatemala, using a Cooperative Agreement instrument and focused on the described participation and partnership objectives.
25) What makes a concept proposal a strong fit for KEM, based on the description?
A strong fit would focus on practical, rights-respecting engagement that increases consistent influence by youth and Indigenous Peoples; strengthens both participation platforms and participant skills; directly supports USAID/Guatemala's Indigenous Peoples' Engagement Strategy; improves collaboration between government and Indigenous authorities in alignment with La Ruta; and strengthens youth and Indigenous organizations' capacity to advance local development, especially in communities most affected by COVID-19.
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