Primary Education in Crisis Activity in Ethiopia (PECA) | 72066324RFA00011

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Primary Education in Crisis Activity in Ethiopia (PECA)

1) What is the Primary Education in Crisis Activity in Ethiopia (PECA)?

PECA is a USAID Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) grant opportunity focused on protecting and improving education for primary school-aged children in Ethiopia whose schooling has been disrupted by crises. It treats education as a critical priority in emergencies and as a stabilizing, protective service that supports children and communities during and after shocks.

2) Who is offering this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by USAID Ethiopia, based in Addis Ababa.

3) What problem is PECA trying to address?

PECA addresses the education-in-emergencies challenge where many children and youth in crisis settings cannot access safe, quality learning. It reflects the idea that, even in emergencies, children consistently rank education as a top priority alongside basic needs like food and water.

4) Who is the target population for PECA?

The activity is focused on crisis-affected primary school-aged children in Ethiopia, especially those whose education has been disrupted by emergencies such as displacement, insecurity, or other crises.

5) What are the main intended outcomes of PECA?

PECA aims to improve three connected outcomes for crisis-affected primary school-age children in Ethiopia: learning outcomes, wellbeing, and systems resilience.

6) What does “learning outcomes” mean in this opportunity?

In PECA, “learning outcomes” points to measurable progress in foundational competencies, such as early literacy and numeracy, for primary school-aged children affected by crises.

7) What does “wellbeing” mean in the context of PECA?

“Wellbeing” emphasizes children’s mental health, safety, and psychosocial supports, recognizing that learners affected by displacement, insecurity, or emergencies need more than access to a classroom to learn effectively.

8) What does “systems resilience” mean for PECA?

“Systems resilience” highlights strengthening education structures so they can continue functioning under stress and recover from disruptions. The intent is to help local education actors and systems absorb shocks, adapt, and keep education services from collapsing during crises.

9) Why does PECA frame education as a protective and stabilizing intervention?

PECA treats education as more than an academic service. In crisis settings, it can help protect children, support psychosocial wellbeing, contribute to community recovery, and reduce long-term risks for the most vulnerable.

10) What is the role of The LEGO Foundation in PECA?

PECA is a partnership between USAID and The LEGO Foundation. The activity will be co-funded by both organizations and will draw on their combined expertise, particularly in foundational skills and playful learning.

11) What does co-funding imply for the activity?

Co-funding indicates that both USAID and The LEGO Foundation will financially support the activity. It also signals a program design likely shaped by shared priorities such as evidence-informed approaches to foundational learning and methods that work in disrupted or resource-constrained settings.

12) What is “playful learning,” and why is it mentioned?

Playful learning is highlighted because the partnership expects to draw on expertise in developmentally appropriate, engaging approaches that support early grade learning and social and emotional needs. The description suggests PECA may prioritize practical tools and methods beyond traditional instruction, especially suited to difficult or disrupted contexts.

13) What type of funding mechanism is PECA?

PECA is issued as a cooperative agreement, described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

14) What does a “cooperative agreement” mean for implementation?

A cooperative agreement typically means the funder expects substantial involvement during implementation. The opportunity description notes this can include collaboration on work planning, monitoring, learning, and adaptive management.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is open to unrestricted eligible applicants, as stated in the description.

16) How many awards does USAID expect to make?

USAID anticipates making a single award.

17) What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $35,000,000.

18) What does the $35,000,000 award ceiling suggest about the scale of the activity?

The stated ceiling suggests a large, potentially multi-year effort designed to operate nationally or across multiple regions, capable of reaching significant numbers of children and influencing education delivery at scale.

19) What is the funding opportunity number for PECA?

The funding opportunity number is 72066324RFA00011.

20) What is the listed closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is July 8, 2024.

21) How does PECA connect education to broader recovery and development?

PECA positions improved learning and child wellbeing as essential not only for individual recovery and protection, but also for Ethiopia’s long-term stability and economic growth.

22) Is PECA strictly a humanitarian response, or does it also have a development focus?

Based on the description, PECA sits at the intersection of humanitarian and development priorities. It responds to immediate crisis-related disruptions while also strengthening conditions and systems that support learning and resilience over time.

23) What makes PECA “high-impact” according to the description?

PECA is described as a high-impact education-in-crisis investment because it prioritizes primary education as a core humanitarian and development need, targets learning and wellbeing outcomes, and aims to strengthen system resilience, supported by co-funding and technical collaboration with The LEGO Foundation.