PROMOTING YOUTH RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE FARANAH ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF GUINEA

Youth in rural areas of the Faranah Region of Guinea (prefectures of Kissidougou, Faranah, Dabola, and Dinguiraye) desire to contribute to local and national development, as well as their own economic empowerment, through entrepreneurship to employ themselves and other members of their communities. However, they face key barriers: access to finance, access to technology and inputs, challenges with transparency and corruption, and limited capacity in developing business strategies, among others. USAID/Guinea wants to support current and future youth entrepreneurs in the rural areas of the Faranah Region (Kissidougou, Faranah, Dabola, Dinguiraye) to overcome these and other obstacles, and to live up to their potential. USAID is interested in supporting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment that are inclusive of youth with disabilities and female youth. USAID plans to engage with a local organization or a group of local/regional organizations (with one organization as the primary) through Fixed Amount Awards. Each award will not exceed $2,000,000, subject to funding availability. The performance period is expected to be around 3 years and 7 months, divided into two phases. Phase 1, which is the Assessment and Co-design phase, will take approximately 7 months with a budget of approximately $100,000. If necessary, the award may be renewed for Phase 2, which is the Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program Implementation phase that will take approximately 3 years with a budget of approximately $1,900,000.