Tourism as a Leading Edge | APS 182 16 000001

Opportunity Information: Apply for APS 182 16 000001

Tourism as a Leading Edge (Funding Opportunity Number APS 182 16 000001) is a USAID grant opportunity, run in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), focused on expanding and strengthening sustainable tourism in Albania. The intent is to support practical activities that improve how Albania's tourism sector functions overall, with a strong emphasis on creating the conditions for long-term, broad-based economic growth. In plain terms, the program is looking for projects that can help tourism become a reliable engine for job creation and local economic development, rather than short-term or isolated interventions.

The opportunity targets two big areas of change. First, it aims to improve the business enabling environment around tourism, which generally includes issues like better sector coordination, clearer or more supportive policies and regulations, improved standards, and stronger linkages among businesses and institutions that shape the tourism marketplace. Second, it aims to build workforce capacity, meaning projects that help develop the skills, competencies, and readiness of workers and potential workers in tourism and related industries. The underlying goal is for these improvements to act as catalysts, triggering more private sector activity, higher-quality services, and more employment opportunities connected to tourism.

USAID is requesting concept papers rather than full proposals at the initial stage, signaling that applicants should submit a concise but well-developed project idea that explains what they would do, why it matters, and how it would advance sustainable tourism outcomes in Albania. USAID also explicitly encourages concept papers from potential new partners, which is important for organizations that have not previously worked with USAID or have limited USAID funding history.

Eligibility is broad and includes both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, as long as they are legally recognized entities and authorized to operate in Albania. Eligible applicants include non-governmental organizations (including indigenous and local Albanian NGOs), U.S.-based Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), Public International Organizations (PIOs), International Organizations (IOs), for-profit organizations (U.S. and non-U.S.), and U.S. and non-U.S. colleges and universities. Individuals are not eligible to apply. The listing notes that all qualified applicants are eligible, reinforcing that the competition is open across organization types provided legal and operational requirements in Albania are met.

This is a mandatory funding opportunity using a grant instrument, categorized under "Other" for the funding activity area, with CFDA number 98.001. The award ceiling is $750,000, and USAID anticipated making about five awards under this solicitation. The original closing date for submissions was October 6, 2016, and the opportunity record was created on October 7, 2015.

• The Agency for International Development in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tourism as a Leading Edge" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2015-10-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-10-06. (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 $750,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for APS 182 16 000001

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