The Health, Ecosystems and Agriculture for Resilient, Thriving Societies (HEARTH)

Through this Addendum to the Global Development Alliance (GDA) Annual Program Statement (APS) No. APS-OAA-16-000001 (the GDA APS), the Office of Forestry and Biodiversity in USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (USAID/E3/FAB) is seeking transformational solutions to cross-sectoral development challenges in biodiverse landscapes. The Health, Ecosystems and Agriculture for Resilient, Thriving Societies (HEARTH) Addendum aims to provide USAID Missions and the private sector a flexible opportunity to partner in the co-creation and delivery of high impact activities that conserve biodiverse ecosystems and improve the well-being and prosperity of communities that depend on them. 

Depending on local needs, sectors that may comprise HEARTH concepts include: biodiversity conservation, health, food security (agriculture and nutrition), governance, economic development and livelihoods, water supply and sanitation, education, modern energy solutions, forest management and restoration, and climate resilience. Concepts should integrate activities and outcomes in sectors prioritized by the USAID Mission(s) in the country or countries where activities are proposed to be implemented. Concepts should be complemented by strategic private-sector investments that fill gaps in funding or action in these same sectors or other sectors to meet both development priorities and business goals.

Concept papers should be based on a robust and logical theory of change that 1) integrates and monitors development efforts to meet individual sector goals; 2) demonstrates close collaboration with the private sector to efficiently leverage USAID and partner resources and expertise to facilitate sustainable prosperity for communities living with or benefiting from biodiversity; 3) demonstrates positive synergistic effects and/or co-benefits from cross-sectoral programming; and 4) recognizes that recipient communities will actively participate in the design and implementation of the intervention.