Communities REsilient to DIsinformation Building Local Engagement (CREDIBLE) Addendum to APS 7200AA20APS00007 Youth Power 2 | 7200AA21RFA00016

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the CREDIBLE opportunity?

CREDIBLE stands for Communities Resilient to Disinformation Building Local Engagement. It is a USAID funding opportunity focused on strengthening local information environments in Latin America and the Caribbean so communities are less vulnerable to disinformation and better able to engage in fact-based civic discussion.

2) Is CREDIBLE a stand-alone funding announcement?

No. CREDIBLE is an addendum to USAID's existing YouthPower 2 (YP2) Annual Program Statement (APS) No. 7200AA20APS00007. It operates as a targeted call under the broader YP2 APS framework rather than as a typical stand-alone Request for Applications.

3) What is the first step to apply under this addendum?

The first step is to submit a concept note. USAID will review concept notes and use them to decide whether to invite selected organizations to submit a full application.

4) Do applicants need to use a specific template for the concept note?

Yes. Applicants are expected to use the required concept note template provided in the opportunity's related documents, along with the specific guidance in the CREDIBLE addendum.

5) Who is administering this opportunity within USAID?

The opportunity is administered by USAID's Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, Office of Regional Sustainable Development, Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Team (LAC/RSD/DRG).

6) What legal authority supports this activity?

The activity is authorized under Part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.

7) What problem is CREDIBLE trying to address?

CREDIBLE is aimed at countering the growing influence of disinformation and the accompanying erosion of democratic norms across Latin America and the Caribbean. The intent is to strengthen community resilience so people can better navigate information, rely on credible sources, and participate more effectively in civic and political processes.

8) What kinds of outcomes does USAID want to see?

Based on the notice, USAID is looking for concepts that improve digital and media literacy (especially among youth), rebuild trust (between youth and communities and between communities and local media), strengthen fact-based discourse, and increase community resilience to manipulation and questionable content.

9) Why is youth a central focus of the addendum?

The addendum emphasizes improving digital and media literacy especially among youth and frames youth not only as beneficiaries, but also as active partners and messengers who can help strengthen local media ecosystems and civic culture.

10) Are other populations besides youth allowed to be part of the target group?

Yes. While youth are emphasized, the notice indicates that activities may also reach other target populations as appropriate.

11) What technical approach is USAID seeking?

USAID is seeking locally grounded strategies that can "inoculate" communities against disinformation. This includes developing and applying media literacy tools, strengthening critical consumption of information, and using social norm change approaches that influence how communities share, verify, and respond to questionable content.

12) How important is the local context in proposed activities?

Local context is a key emphasis. Applicants are encouraged to work through local networks and youth-serving organizations and tailor interventions to the specific dynamics of target communities rather than using one-size-fits-all messaging.

13) Does CREDIBLE prioritize support to local media?

Yes. The opportunity signals strong interest in efforts that reinforce local media and encourage fact-based discourse, with the broader goal of improving the quality of public participation and informed decision-making.

14) What makes CREDIBLE different from a typical programming grant?

A distinguishing feature is the explicit learning agenda. USAID is not only looking for activities that deliver results in a single location, but also for approaches designed to generate evidence about what works so that models can be refined, scaled, and replicated across the LAC region.

15) What does the learning agenda imply for monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation?

Concepts are expected to incorporate learning, testing, and adaptation. The notice emphasizes evaluation, documentation, and practical knowledge-sharing, and it highlights measuring changes in literacy, trust, engagement, and resilience to disinformation, then iterating based on findings.

16) How many awards does USAID anticipate making?

Subject to funding availability, USAID anticipates making one new award.

17) What type of award instrument will be used?

The anticipated instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally implies substantial involvement by USAID during implementation compared to a standard grant.

18) What is the maximum funding amount for the award?

The ceiling is up to USD 5,000,000.

19) What is the anticipated period of performance?

The anticipated period of performance is five years.

20) What is the funding activity category and assistance listing number?

The opportunity is listed under the funding activity category of Education and carries CFDA/assistance listing number 98.001.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant types may be able to submit. Applicants must still meet the broader YouthPower 2 APS requirements and any addendum-specific criteria described in the related documents.

22) What is the concept note deadline shown in the notice?

The original closing date for concept notes was May 3, 2021.

23) When was this opportunity record created?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of March 30, 2021.

24) What is Section 889 and why does it matter for this opportunity?

The notice highlights compliance requirements tied to Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2019 and related implementing restrictions. As of August 13, 2020, both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations are prohibited from using award funds (including direct and indirect costs, cost share, and program income) to procure certain covered telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment.

25) What costs are covered by the Section 889 restriction referenced in the notice?

The restriction applies to the use of award funds across direct and indirect costs, cost share, and program income, as described in the notice.

26) Where should applicants look for details on Section 889 compliance?

Applicants are instructed to consult USAID's Section 889 guidance for details.

27) Which terms and conditions govern if something is not specifically changed by the addendum?

Beyond what is explicitly modified by the CREDIBLE addendum, all other standard terms and conditions of the underlying YouthPower 2 APS apply.

28) If this is an addendum, what documents should applicants rely on?

Applicants should rely on (1) the YouthPower 2 APS framework, and (2) the specific CREDIBLE addendum guidance and required concept note template provided in the opportunity's related documents.

29) What geographic focus is described for the program?

The program is focused on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with an emphasis on strengthening local information environments and generating evidence that can be replicated across the region.

30) What kinds of community-level changes does USAID want concepts to influence?

The notice points to changing how communities share, verify, and respond to questionable content; strengthening trust relationships involving youth, communities, and local media; and supporting fact-based discourse to improve informed civic participation.