AMBASSADOR'S RESILIENCE FUND | COTONOU ARF FY2024002

Opportunity Information: Apply for COTONOU ARF FY2024002

The Ambassador's Resilience Fund (ARF) is a competitive grant opportunity offered by the Political and Economic Section of the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou under the U.S. Department of State. It is funded through FY 2024 Economic Support Fund (ESF) resources and is designed to help communities in Benin become more resilient in the face of rising insecurity and instability in Coastal West Africa. The Embassy is seeking proposals that align with the broader U.S. commitment to democratic renewal, conflict prevention, and building peaceful, self-reliant countries that can serve as strong economic and security partners. The ARF fits within the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS), which focuses on breaking cycles of fragility before they escalate into larger conflicts.

The main purpose of the fund is to strengthen the ability of local actors to respond to cross-border security threats by reinforcing social cohesion, improving community engagement, and reducing vulnerabilities that can drive instability. In practical terms, the opportunity emphasizes addressing education, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities in at-risk communities, with a strong focus on poverty reduction and livelihood development as a way to reduce the appeal and recruitment opportunities of violent extremist organizations (VEOs). The Embassy highlights that parts of the region have experienced repeated economic and climate shocks, creating conditions that VEOs expanding from the Sahel can exploit. By supporting local initiatives that improve economic opportunity and community resilience, the program aims to reduce the underlying conditions that contribute to insecurity.

Geographically, the ARF prioritizes Northern Benin, specifically the departments of Alibori, Borgou, Atacora, and Donga. Proposals are expected to directly benefit communities in these areas and respond to local conditions that increase vulnerability to instability. The Embassy particularly encourages projects that promote entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods, including initiatives that support youth entrepreneurship and women's cooperatives. Youth are identified as a key target group because they are often among the most economically vulnerable and are therefore at higher risk of being drawn into extremist networks. The fund also supports efforts that build social cohesion and improve community-level capacity to engage constructively around shared challenges, which is an important element of preventing conflict and strengthening resilience.

In terms of funding, the total amount available is USD 100,000, with individual awards capped at USD 25,000. The opportunity anticipates making about five awards, depending on funding availability and the quality of applications received. This is a discretionary grant program (Assistance Listing/CFDA 19.979) and is structured to fund targeted, community-oriented interventions rather than large-scale, long-term programming. Applicants should design projects that are realistic and impactful within the budget ceiling and that clearly connect proposed activities to measurable improvements in resilience, livelihoods, and social stability.

Eligibility is limited to Benin-based non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The application window opened on April 10, 2024, and the submission deadline is June 12, 2024. Organizations interested in applying are directed to contact the U.S. Embassy Cotonou grants team for questions or submission guidance via CotonouGrants@state.gov, with additional phone contacts provided ((229) 21367658 and (229) 21367724). Overall, the ARF is positioned as a community development-focused grant program that uses relatively small, targeted awards to help communities in northern Benin strengthen livelihoods and social cohesion, reduce vulnerability, and support broader efforts to prevent the spread of violent extremism and insecurity.

• The U.S. Mission to Benin in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AMBASSADOR'S RESILIENCE FUND" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.979.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-12. (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 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for COTONOU ARF FY2024002

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