Improve the oversight functions of key stakeholders in the mining sector | AF MWI FY21 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for AF MWI FY21 01

This grant opportunity, titled "Improve the oversight functions of key stakeholders in the mining sector" (Funding Opportunity Number: AF MWI FY21 01), is a discretionary U.S. Department of State program administered by the U.S. Mission to Malawi in partnership with the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. It is offered under the Fiscal Transparency Innovation Fund (FTIF), using FY20 Economic Support Funds authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. The core purpose is to strengthen oversight in Malawi's mining sector by improving transparency and enabling more effective participation by stakeholders who should be able to monitor, question, and influence how mining rights and benefits are managed.

The award is structured as a single grant with a maximum ceiling of USD 25,000, with an expected one award total, contingent on the availability of funds. The performance period is capped at twelve months, meaning proposed activities must be designed to deliver practical results within a year. Applications were due by June 18, 2021, and late submissions were not accepted. The opportunity is categorized under the "Environment" funding activity area and is listed under CFDA 19.662.

Programmatically, the FTIF is designed to support governments and civil society organizations working to improve fiscal and governance outcomes, particularly around budget openness, public financial management best practices, and transparency in natural resource management. In this specific call, the Embassy and State Department emphasize mining sector oversight as the pathway to improved transparency, with two result areas guiding the work: first, mobilizing rights-holders to advocate for fair and accountable resource governance in the mining sector; and second, influencing duty bearers (institutions and officials responsible for decisions and compliance) to apply open contracting and transparent licensing practices in mining-related processes and agreements.

The opportunity is grounded in a recognized governance gap. Although Malawi's Mines and Minerals Act establishes legal requirements for awarding mining licenses and contracts, the 2020 Fiscal Transparency Report found that Malawi did not meet minimum fiscal transparency requirements and had not made significant progress toward meeting them. The NOFO frames the mining sector as facing persistent transparency and accountability challenges despite the legal framework, particularly around the reliability, completeness, public availability, and timeliness of mining sector data. It also notes limited capacity among rights-holders to participate meaningfully and consistently in engagement with government on mining governance. In practice, this means communities, watchdog groups, and other affected stakeholders may lack the information, tools, or access needed to scrutinize licensing decisions, contract terms, revenue flows, and compliance with rules.

In terms of what the grant is meant to accomplish, the intended overall output is improved transparency in Malawi's mining sector through stronger oversight functions by key stakeholders. That emphasis suggests support for activities that build the ability of civil society and other oversight actors to obtain and interpret mining-related information, participate in public processes, track decisions and commitments, and push for the routine use of open contracting and open licensing approaches. The funder is essentially looking for a short, focused intervention that helps close the gap between the rules on paper and the reality of how mining contracts, licenses, and sector information are handled and shared with the public. Eligible applicants are listed broadly as "Others," with further clarification referenced in the opportunity's eligibility section.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Malawi in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improve the oversight functions of key stakeholders in the mining sector" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.662.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 23, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 18, 2021 Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.. (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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for AF MWI FY21 01

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