FY 2022 MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM

The principal objectives of the McGovern-Dole Program are to carry out: 1) preschool and school food for education programs in foreign countries to improve food security, reduce the incidence of hunger, and improve literacy and primary education, particularly with respect to girls; and, 2) maternal, infant, and child nutrition programs for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and children who are five years of age or younger.McGovern-Dole feeds school children and improves literacy (especially for girls) in low-income, food-deficit countries around the world. The program provides for the procurement of U.S. agricultural commodities, local and regional agricultural commodities, as well as financial and technical assistance, to support McGovern-Dole objectives. Section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, the program authorizing legislation requires that the agreement include provisions to achieve graduation from the program or to provide other long-term benefits to targeted populations of the country (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1(j)).By providing school meals, teacher training, government capacity-building, and related education and nutrition support, McGovern-Dole helps boost school enrollment, increase attendance, and improve reading outcomes and literacy results. McGovern-Dole also provides support to Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN). To improve health, nutrition, and dietary practices, McGovern-Dole encourages the inclusion of health- and nutrition-sensitive activities such as the use of micronutrient-fortified products, take-home rations, treatments for deworming, and diarrhea, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), school gardens, and curriculum-based nutrition education.The donation of U.S. commodities is an integral part of McGovern-Dole and Applicants are strongly encouraged to use U.S. donated commodities to maximize program reach of targeted beneficiaries in the most cost-effective manner. In addition, Applicants are strongly encouraged to allocate approximately ten percent of the total proposed federal award amount for local and regional procurement component. FAS prioritizes sustainability in efforts to reduce poverty and food insecurity in vulnerable economies on their path to becoming self-sufficient. FAS is focusing on helping communities develop sustainable sources of food supplies while building resilience in their food sourcing practices.FAS will consider proposals from all eligible organizations, including current recipients and new organizations. FAS may also review submissions from eligible Applicants for non–prioritized countries, however FAS will give priority consideration to fund proposals for the identified 10 priority countries. For additional information on the priority countries for this funding opportunity, applicants should refer toApp endix B – Country Guidance.FAS expects that proposals will build upon McGovern-Dole activities and what has been accomplished to date.1 Expansion beyond current target regions will be considered and should be sufficiently justified. If this is a new McGovern-Dole country, FAS expects that the proposal will lay the foundation for a strong McGovern-Dole program, complementing school feeding efforts already in place. Applications must focus on transition of McGovern-Dole activities to the host governments and/or communities and set the path to sustainability. Applicants must work with countries that have a national government that is committed to or is working towards, through a national action plan, the goals of the World Declaration on Education for All. Furthermore, applications must align with the McGovern Dole Program Project-Level Results Framework (See Part D Section 3 c v Monitoring and Evaluation.).