IMPROVING AND EXPANDING EARLY WARNING EARLY RESPONSE SYSTEMS TO MITIGATE CONFLICT IN NIGERIA

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USAID/Nigeria is seeking concept papers that outline how to mitigate violent conflicts and the killing of civilians by promoting the creation[1] or enhancement of early warning early response (EWER) structures that can swiftly mitigate conflict incidents before they spiral into violent conflicts or deteriorate into ethno-religious conflict. EWER structures should include all the relevant stakeholders necessary to address violent conflict in a holistic manner. Applications should contribute to USAID/Nigeria’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (Development Objective 3: Accountable, Inclusive, and Responsive Governance Strengthened) and complement but not duplicate ongoing USAID conflict mitigation activities.[2] Concept papers should also align with the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability . USAID seeks partners who can promote platforms for conversation and negotiation; mobilize communities by bringing them together to promote inter-ethnic and inter-faith interactions; empower them to identify and mitigate conflict trends; create linkages to security entities; rebuild trust between communities and government, including security entities; revitalize livelihoods destabilized by conflict; and empower marginalized individuals - women, youth, persons with disabilities - to contribute to the solution. USAID will prioritize applications that enable USAID to partner with new and under-utilized development actor(s) as described below and in the referenced APS, based on the belief that a larger and more diverse partner base will expand the available ideas, capabilities and networks to address shared development challenges. Any proposed intervention or activity must have an explicit and direct link to the achievement of both the objectives set forth in the NPI: CPRP APS and USAID/Nigeria’s programmatic objectives as defined herein. Concept papers should briefly outline how interested organizations plan to conceptualize, test, assess, and apply solutions to conflict prevention and mitigation using EWER systems. [1] The proposed creation of any new EWER structure must be done in a manner that ties it to an existing group(s) to ensure its sustainability after this activity ends. [2] For a list of current USAID conflict mitigation activities, please see Attachment 4. Objectives USAID/Nigeria is focused on collaboration and partnerships that address the following objectives: Objective 1: Key stakeholders work together to create and/or sustain conflict early warning early response systems to foster peace and tolerance in communities and mitigate banditry and criminality in areas currently affected or at risk of violent conflict. Objective 2: A diverse set of key stakeholders engage in community-based efforts to promote communication, dispute resolution, dialogue, and advocacy for peace and reconciliation. Objective 3: Key stakeholders work together to enhance trust and confidence among community members and between communities and security forces through initiatives that build social cohesion.

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