Public/Private partnerships for natural climate solutions | 72052724RFI00003

FAQs: USAID/Peru RFI - Public/Private Partnerships for Natural Climate Solutions (RFI No. 72052724RFI00003)

1) What is this USAID notice, in plain terms?

It is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by USAID/Peru to gather practical input from the market. USAID is using it to learn from organizations already working on forest-based climate mitigation in Peru and to help shape a future USAID activity. It is not a funding opportunity by itself.

2) Is this a grant competition or a request for proposals?

No. USAID states this is not a grant competition and not a request for proposals, applications, or budgets. The purpose is to collect examples, lessons learned, and actionable insights for program design.

3) What is USAID trying to accomplish by issuing this RFI?

USAID is trying to understand what is working in Peru right now, what has not worked, and what it would take to scale credible, high-integrity natural climate solutions to a much larger level. This includes learning about effective public-private collaboration and climate finance approaches.

4) What types of projects or approaches is USAID interested in?

The RFI centers on climate mitigation through improved forest and land management, with interest in approaches that reduce deforestation and increase carbon storage. Examples mentioned include conserving standing forests, forest rehabilitation, reforestation, afforestation, agroforestry, and zero-deforestation agriculture.

5) Is the focus adaptation, mitigation, or both?

The central focus described is climate mitigation (emissions reductions and increased carbon storage) through forest and land management, while also emphasizing resilient livelihoods for communities that depend on these ecosystems.

6) Does USAID want projects only if they involve carbon markets?

No. While the RFI discusses carbon and forest-climate projects and asks about climate finance mechanisms (including private/philanthropic financing), it also explicitly invites ideas on incentives beyond the voluntary carbon market to help reduce deforestation in Peru.

7) Why does the RFI emphasize integrity and equity so strongly?

USAID notes widespread concerns in Latin America and elsewhere about projects that overstated climate benefits and/or harmed or misled local and Indigenous communities. Because of that history, USAID signals future programming will require verifiable mitigation results, stronger safeguards, and fair, transparent benefit sharing to reduce ethical and reputational risks.

8) What does USAID mean by "high-integrity" natural climate solutions in this RFI?

Based on the RFI description, integrity relates to demonstrating verifiable mitigation results, maintaining stronger safeguards, sharing benefits fairly and transparently, maintaining community trust over time, and avoiding common pitfalls that undermine environmental outcomes or local rights.

9) Who should respond to this RFI?

USAID is seeking input from organizations already designing or implementing forest-based climate mitigation efforts in Peru, especially those that have attracted private sector or philanthropic financing and that deliver clear social and environmental co-benefits alongside emissions reductions.

10) Are local and nontraditional partners encouraged to respond?

Yes. The RFI encourages input from nontraditional partners and local entities, reflecting USAID's stated interest in locally led development and broader collaboration beyond typical implementers.

11) What are "resource partners" in the context of this RFI?

USAID uses the term to describe entities that might co-fund or invest alongside USAID in a future initiative. Examples listed include foundations, impact investors, investment funds, and other institutions capable of bringing climate finance to Peru.

12) Does responding to the RFI mean USAID will fund the project?

No. The RFI is a planning and design exercise. USAID may use all, some, or none of the input at its discretion for shaping a potential future solicitation.

13) What kind of project details did USAID request from respondents?

USAID asked for concrete, real-world project information such as objectives, scale (including hectares and tons of carbon), funding sources and terms, and results to date. USAID also asked for details on how public-private collaboration and climate finance mechanisms are being used.

14) What information did USAID ask for regarding private or philanthropic investment?

USAID requested specifics such as who is investing, under what conditions, how involved investors are in project decisions, and whether additional funding sources are being pursued.

15) What does USAID want to know about benefit sharing with communities and landowners?

USAID asked respondents to describe benefit-sharing plans, whether plans were developed through consultation, and whether there are ongoing feedback channels or consultation processes during implementation. Transparent, fair benefit sharing is presented as a core theme.

16) What community groups does USAID specifically highlight?

USAID specifically asks how projects engage women, youth, and Indigenous communities, including strategies used and any examples of outcomes.

17) How important are biodiversity and livelihoods in this RFI?

They are explicitly included. USAID asks how projects incorporate sustainable livelihoods and local economic development, and how biodiversity protection is built into project design and implementation, alongside climate mitigation outcomes.

18) Does USAID want alignment with Peruvian government strategies?

Yes. USAID asks how projects align with Peruvian national and subnational strategies, including how they support Peru's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). USAID also asks how efforts might help the Government of Peru design and implement policies that accelerate net-zero and climate-resilient pathways.

19) What is the relationship between this RFI and USAID's broader climate strategy?

The RFI is described as sitting within the broader context of USAID's Climate Change Strategy 2022-2030, which emphasizes mobilizing more capital toward emissions-reducing activities, improving ecosystem management, and supporting resilient livelihoods for ecosystem-dependent communities.

20) When was the RFI issued and when did it close?

USAID issued the RFI on January 24, 2024. It closed on February 23, 2024 at 2:00 pm Lima local time.

21) How were responses required to be submitted?

Responses had to be submitted in writing by email (no phone calls) to limasolicitations@usaid.gov.

22) What subject line was required for the email submission?

USAID required the subject line: "RFI No. 72052724RFI00003 - USAID Natural Climate Solutions Activity."

23) What were the formatting and length requirements for submissions?

Submissions were limited to a Microsoft Word document of no more than three pages, using Calibri 12-point font.

24) In what language could responses be written?

Responses could be written in English or Spanish. USAID noted that English would control in case of discrepancies.

25) Would USAID reimburse costs for preparing or submitting a response?

No. USAID stated it would not reimburse any costs to respond.

26) Would USAID confirm receipt, return materials, or provide feedback to respondents?

USAID stated it would not acknowledge submissions or return materials.

27) How might USAID use the information submitted?

USAID stated it could use all, some, or none of the input at its discretion for planning and design of a potential future solicitation.

28) Does this RFI indicate a future solicitation is coming?

It signals the intent to shape a future USAID activity in Peru, but it does not itself constitute a solicitation. The RFI is described as early-stage market sounding rather than immediate funding.

29) What is the main takeaway for organizations looking for immediate funding?

This RFI is best understood as a program-shaping exercise rather than an immediate funding opportunity. It is focused on gathering actionable intelligence on credible forest-based mitigation models in Peru that combine climate outcomes, community benefits, and private/philanthropic financing.

30) What kinds of "pitfalls" is USAID trying to avoid in future programming?

Based on the RFI description, USAID is concerned about projects that overstate climate benefits, fail to provide verifiable results, lack adequate safeguards, or harm/mislead local and Indigenous communities. USAID is seeking insight on how to maintain community trust, ensure transparency, and uphold rights while delivering real mitigation and co-benefits.