Local Climate Action Innovation | 72031623APS00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72031623APS00001

USAID/Zambia is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called Local Climate Action Innovation (LCAI) under an Annual Program Statement (APS). The purpose is to fund practical, climate-smart innovations in Zambia while widening USAID's direct partnerships beyond the usual large implementers. The APS is designed to bring in new and locally rooted partners, including grassroots and community-based organizations as well as private sector actors, with the goal of identifying and supporting ideas that both address climate challenges and contribute to economic growth. The opportunity is framed around innovation that can translate into real-world outcomes, particularly approaches that can improve resilience, reduce climate-related risks, and create or strengthen livelihoods and markets.

The program is open to applications from both non-profit and for-profit organizations, listed broadly under "Other" eligible applicants. This signals an intent to attract a diverse mix of local actors and businesses that may have promising solutions but have not historically worked directly with USAID. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity focus falls under Business and Commerce as well as Environment, reflecting the dual emphasis on climate action and economic impact. The CFDA (assistance listing) number associated with the opportunity is 98.001, which corresponds to USAID foreign assistance.

In terms of funding scale, the award ceiling is USD 50,000 per award, and USAID/Zambia anticipates making about 10 awards. This suggests the APS is structured more like a small-grants innovation window than a large implementation contract, with the intent to test, validate, pilot, or expand early-stage solutions. The emphasis on "innovations that can drive economic growth" indicates that applicants should make a clear case not only for environmental or adaptation benefits, but also for measurable economic returns such as productivity gains, income generation, job creation, cost savings, or improved market access, depending on the sector and innovation.

Application requirements are intentionally lightweight but strict. Applicants must submit a four-page technical application along with a budget, meaning proposals need to be concise and sharply focused on the problem, the innovation, how it will be implemented, and what results will be achieved with the requested funds. Because the APS specifically instructs applicants to read the document in its entirety and follow all instructions, compliance with formatting, eligibility rules, and submission directions is likely a significant screening factor. The notice points applicants to Section C for eligibility details and references Section H for additional information related to the economic growth focus, so a competitive submission would align tightly with those sections rather than relying on generic climate or development language.

Key opportunity details include the funding opportunity number 72031623APS00001, the posting/creation date of 2023-11-03, and an original closing date of 2024-05-03. Overall, the LCAI APS is best understood as a Zambia-based innovation grant aimed at surfacing and supporting smaller, locally driven climate-smart ideas that can show tangible economic value, with relatively modest award sizes and a streamlined proposal package intended to lower barriers for new entrants.

• The Zambia USAID-Lusaka in the business and commerce, environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Local Climate Action Innovation" 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 2023-11-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-03. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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