REQUEST FOR APPLICATION(RFA) CALL FOR APPLICATION TO IMPLEMENT DISABILITY MAINSTREAMING AND INCLUSION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE AND…

Request For Application (RFA)

Call for Application to Implement Disability Mainstreaming and Inclusion Capacity Development Program for Private and Public Sector partners

Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi (HA) Activity is a 5-year USAID-Funded Activity designed to facilitate growth leading to inclusive job creation and entrepreneurship development in Rwanda’s agri-food system. Using a market systems approach, the Activity aims to collaborate with private and public sector to support access to productive resources for enterprises and entrepreneurs in the agri-food system that are poised to grow and hire. The Activity seeks to address the challenges of limited employment opportunities and entrepreneurial success for Rwandans, which hinder both economic growth and the nation's development goals. A core focus of HA is addressing the barriers to gender, youth and disability inclusion in Rwanda's private sector. This involves raising awareness of the social and economic benefits of inclusivity—particularly for women, youth, and persons with disabilities —and supporting organizations to create inclusive work environments that promote equitable employment opportunities. The overarching goal is to catalyze sustainable, inclusive economic development in alignment with Rwanda's Vision 2050 and USAID’s mission to foster resilience and self-reliance.

The Activity intends to partner with training providers, NGOs and other private sector entities operating in the disability inclusion space. The goal is to build the capacity of the private sector in promoting the business case for inclusion, particularly focusing on the employment of persons with disabilities through inclusive hiring practices, inclusive workplace and policy practices, and a culture of inclusivity. The Activity has no geographic restrictions and is open to partnerships throughout the country.

Final funding levels will depend on quality of applications received, number of fundable applications received, market needs, availability of funding, suitability of the application in line with Hanga Akazi’s scope of work and competing priorities. Grants will be awarded competitively in amounts commensurate with their impact but shall not exceed the maximum amount of RWF 50,000,000.

Title

Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi Call for Partners

RFA No

RFA-HA-2024-010

To download the RFA Application form

RFA Application Forms are posted in: www.rti.org/rfp

RFA Application Forms can also be requested at CGF-Grants@Hanga-Akazi.org

Any questions please email

CGF-Grants@Hanga-Akazi.org

Submit RFA Package to

CGF-Grants@Hanga-Akazi.org

Date of Issue

January 15, 2025

Deadline to Submit Questions

January 22, 2025

Response to Questions published

Responses to questions will be published at www.rti.org/rfp on the dates indicated below and also sent via email.

January 27, 2025

Date of Application Closing

February 03, 2025

Background

About 30% of persons with disabilities are employed compared to 48% of their counterparts without disabilities. A higher number of employed persons with disabilities is observed in Nyagatare District (41%), while the lowest number (21%) is found in Karongi District (RPHC5 Thematic Report: Socio Economic Status of People with Disabilities). Persons with disabilities face significant barriers in accessing financial services, educational opportunities, and other essential business development services. These barriers often lead to exclusion from economic opportunities and social empowerment. In the private sector, key market actors such as microfinance institutions, BDS providers, and employers frequently lack the knowledge and skills necessary to engage and work with persons with disabilities. There is also a persistent knowledge gap regarding disability inclusion policies, coupled with negative perceptions of the capabilities of persons with disabilities. This gap in knowledge perpetuates exclusion, limiting the economic advancement and job opportunities for persons with disabilities in Rwanda. This hinders access to productive and decent work for persons with disabilities.

In Year 2, HA piloted interventions with agri-food companies focusing on disability inclusion and mainstreaming to raise awareness and bridge the knowledge gap about disability inclusion and its business case. Some of the participating companies immediately took action to integrate the concept into their business practices by raising awareness among staff, incorporating it into their policies, hiring persons with disabilities, training their teams on SL, and appointing focal persons for disability inclusion within their companies.

Despite ongoing efforts, persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to economic opportunities due to various factors, and training programs, such as the disability mainstreaming program, have been demonstrated to be effective in improving knowledge and attitudes, fostering workplace inclusivity, enhancing understanding and empathy, and developing structured action plans for inclusion through the Disability Inclusive Score Card (DISC) assessments. The results thus far have underscored a need for continuous awareness-raising, while coaching

Problem statement

The issue to be resolved:

Key challenges in fostering disability inclusion within the private sector stem from significant knowledge and skill gaps among entities such as microfinance institutions, business development service providers, and employers. Many of these organizations lack the foundational understanding of disability inclusion policies and practical skills needed to adapt workplaces effectively. This deficit in knowledge restricts their ability to create inclusive environments and engage meaningfully with persons with disabilities.

Negative perceptions and attitudinal barriers further hinder progress. Misconceptions about the capabilities of persons with disabilities re…