Opportunity Information: Apply for 72011121APS00001
The ARMENIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY is a USAID/Armenia funding opportunity designed to strengthen Armenia's workforce by better aligning workers' skills with what employers actually need. The central idea is to narrow the persistent mismatch between education and training outcomes and the demands of the labor market, so that businesses can find qualified employees while job seekers can access more stable and better-paying work. Beyond general skills alignment, the activity is explicitly oriented toward fixing larger labor market gaps and tackling participation barriers that keep key groups, especially women and young people, out of the workforce or confined to limited opportunities.
A major focus of the activity is increasing female and youth engagement in the labor market, recognizing that participation levels for these groups are low and that the reasons are not only economic but also social and informational. The opportunity calls for efforts that address structural and cultural barriers, including misconceptions about vocational education and employment. This includes improving public perceptions of vocational education and training as a credible, valuable pathway to employment, as well as confronting attitudes and norms that discourage or restrict women's participation in the workforce. In practical terms, the activity aims to change how vocational education and certain types of work are viewed by students, families, employers, and the wider community, while also pushing for more inclusive employment outcomes.
Another key element is the improved use of labor market information to guide decision-making and participation, particularly for youth and women. The opportunity emphasizes increasing utilization of information to support engagement, which typically means helping job seekers understand what skills are in demand, what career pathways exist, and how to access them, while also helping employers, educators, and training providers respond to real-time labor market needs. It also highlights hands-on, career-connecting supports such as mentoring and internships, which can be crucial for young people and women who may lack professional networks or exposure to workplace environments. Mentorship and internships are positioned as tools to bridge the experience gap, build confidence, and create clearer routes from education or training into actual jobs.
In terms of the funding structure, this is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Armenia (USAID-Yerevan), using a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument. A cooperative agreement generally indicates that USAID expects to have substantial involvement during implementation, such as collaboration on plans, monitoring, and adaptive management, rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The opportunity is categorized under Employment, Labor and Training, and is associated with CFDA number 98.001. The solicitation was posted under funding opportunity number 72011121APS00001, with an initial posting date of January 26, 2021 and an original closing date of March 19, 2021.
The anticipated scale is one award, with an award ceiling of $7,500,000. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement text. Overall, the grant is aimed at supporting a comprehensive workforce development effort that improves the match between training and jobs, expands opportunities for youth and women, corrects misconceptions around vocational pathways and women's employment, and increases access to practical career supports like mentoring and internships to strengthen entry into the labor market.Apply for 72011121APS00001
- The Agency for International Development, Armenia USAID-Yerevan in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ARMENIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 19, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $7,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: USAID/Armenia Armenia Workforce Development Activity
What is the Armenia Workforce Development Activity?
The Armenia Workforce Development Activity is a USAID/Armenia grant opportunity focused on strengthening Armenia's workforce by aligning workers' skills more closely with what employers need. It is designed to reduce the ongoing mismatch between education and training outcomes and actual labor market demand.
What problem is this activity trying to solve?
The activity targets a persistent skills mismatch in Armenia, where job seekers may not have the qualifications employers are looking for, and employers struggle to find qualified employees. It also addresses broader labor market gaps and participation barriers that keep key groups, especially women and young people, from entering the workforce or accessing better opportunities.
What are the main goals of the opportunity?
Based on the description provided, the main goals include: improving alignment between training/education and labor market needs; increasing female and youth engagement in the labor market; addressing structural, cultural, social, and informational barriers to participation; improving perceptions of vocational education and training (VET); increasing the use of labor market information for better decisions; and expanding practical career supports such as mentoring and internships.
Who is the funder and where is the opportunity based?
The funder is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), specifically USAID/Armenia (USAID-Yerevan). The activity is focused on workforce development outcomes in Armenia.
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement. This typically indicates that USAID expects substantial involvement during implementation, such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, and adaptive management, rather than a hands-off approach.
How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant?
The description indicates that under a cooperative agreement, USAID anticipates substantial involvement during implementation. In practical terms, this usually means closer collaboration with the implementer on plans and ongoing performance management compared to a traditional grant where the funder generally has less direct involvement.
What thematic area does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under Employment, Labor and Training.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 98.001.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 72011121APS00001.
When was the solicitation posted and what was the original closing date?
The solicitation was posted on January 26, 2021, and the original closing date was March 19, 2021.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates making one award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $7,500,000.
What groups does the activity prioritize?
The activity explicitly prioritizes increasing labor market engagement for women and young people, noting that participation levels are low and that barriers can be economic, social, cultural, and informational.
Why does the opportunity emphasize women and youth participation?
The description states that women and young people face participation barriers and are underrepresented in the workforce or are confined to limited opportunities. The activity is oriented toward addressing those barriers and expanding inclusive employment outcomes.
What kinds of barriers is the activity expected to address?
The opportunity highlights structural and cultural barriers, misconceptions about vocational education and employment, and attitudes and norms that discourage or restrict women's participation in the workforce. It also underscores informational barriers that limit awareness of in-demand skills and career pathways.
What does "improving public perceptions of vocational education and training" mean in this context?
It means elevating vocational education and training (VET) as a credible and valuable route to employment, and changing how vocational pathways and certain types of work are viewed by students, families, employers, and the wider community.
How does labor market information fit into the activity?
A key element is improving how labor market information is used to guide decisions and participation, especially for youth and women. This typically involves helping job seekers understand which skills are in demand and what pathways exist, and helping employers, educators, and training providers respond to real-time labor market needs.
Does the opportunity mention any specific career-connecting supports?
Yes. The description highlights mentoring and internships as hands-on supports that can connect people to careers, bridge experience gaps, build confidence, and create clearer transitions from education or training into jobs.
How do mentoring and internships support the overall workforce development goals?
The opportunity positions mentoring and internships as tools to help youth and women who may lack professional networks or exposure to workplace environments. These supports are described as ways to strengthen entry into the labor market and improve pathways into actual employment.
Is this opportunity focused only on training providers or also on employers?
The description emphasizes aligning skills with employer needs and helping employers respond to labor market realities, which implies an employer-facing component alongside education and training alignment. However, the specific eligible applicant types and partnership requirements are referenced as being in the full announcement text.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement text. The provided summary does not specify which organizations fall under "Others."
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant opportunity issued by USAID/Armenia.
What kinds of outcomes is the activity trying to achieve for job seekers?
The activity aims to help job seekers, especially youth and women, access more stable and better-paying work by improving skills alignment, increasing access to relevant labor market information, and expanding career-connecting supports such as mentoring and internships.
What kinds of outcomes is the activity trying to achieve for businesses?
The activity is designed to help businesses find qualified employees by narrowing the mismatch between workforce skills and employer needs and by encouraging training and education systems to respond to actual labor market demand.
What does "inclusive employment outcomes" refer to here?
In this context, it refers to expanding participation and opportunity in the labor market for groups facing barriers, particularly women and young people, and addressing norms and misconceptions that may limit their access to certain education pathways or jobs.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Employment, Labor and Training
Next opportunity: FY2021 SNAP Longitudinal Data
Previous opportunity: 2021 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF 2021)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 72011121APS00001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (72011121APS00001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY 21 Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Training and Other Activities (TaOA) Grant Management Guidance Apply for ETA TEGL NO 13 20 Funding Number: ETA TEGL NO 13 20 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $46,532,289 |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Funding Allotments and Operating Guidance for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Grants Apply for ETA UIPL 13 21 Funding Number: ETA UIPL 13 21 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $25,642,995 |
| USAID Youth Development Activity Apply for 72011521APS00002 Funding Number: 72011521APS00002 Agency: Agency for International Development, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $3,750,000 |
| Youth Work Readiness and Entrepreneurship Activity Apply for RFI 72011521RFA00004 Funding Number: RFI 72011521RFA00004 Agency: Agency for International Development, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Economic Empowerment in Dakhla, Laayoune, and the Surrounding Regions Apply for SFOP0007747 Funding Number: SFOP0007747 Agency: Department of State, Assistance Coordination Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Young Adult Reentry Partnership (YARP) 2 Apply for FOA ETA 21 03 Funding Number: FOA ETA 21 03 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $4,500,000 |
| State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity and Innovation (SAEEI) Grants Apply for FOA ETA 21 07 Funding Number: FOA ETA 21 07 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Workforce Data Quality Initiative – WDQI Round 8 Apply for FOA ETA 21 05 Funding Number: FOA ETA 21 05 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,900,000 |
| Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Centers of Excellence Apply for FOA ETA 21 06 Funding Number: FOA ETA 21 06 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $13,000,000 |
| Work Opportunity Tax Credit Funding Allotments for Fiscal Year 2021 Apply for ETA WOTC TEGL 06 20 21 C1 Funding Number: ETA WOTC TEGL 06 20 21 C1 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,016,774 |
| Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Apply for FOA ETA 21 08 Funding Number: FOA ETA 21 08 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Technical Assistance Grant Program Apply for FOA WB 21 01 Funding Number: FOA WB 21 01 Agency: Department of Labor, Womens Bureau Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Activities Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2021 Apply for ETA TEGL 19 20 ADULT Funding Number: ETA TEGL 19 20 ADULT Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $120,643,129 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Dislocated Worker Program Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2021 Apply for ETA TEGL 19 20 DW Funding Number: ETA TEGL 19 20 DW Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $149,720,408 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Workforce Information Grants Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2021 Apply for ETA TEGL 19 20 WIG Funding Number: ETA TEGL 19 20 WIG Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $2,481,342 |
| Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Employment Service (ES) Allotments for Program Year (PY) 2021 Apply for ETA TEGL 19 20 ES Funding Number: ETA TEGL 19 20 ES Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $79,341,643 |
| Program Year (PY) 2021 Planning Instructions and Allotments for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) State, Territorial, and National Grantees Apply for ETA TEGL 20 20 Funding Number: ETA TEGL 20 20 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $47,186,793 |
| FY 2021 Foreign Labor Certification Grant Planning Guidance Apply for ETA FLC TEGL 21 20 FY21 Funding Number: ETA FLC TEGL 21 20 FY21 Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $1,923,695 |
| Program Year (PY) 2021 Funding Allotments and Instructions for the Indian and Native American (INA) Programs Apply for PY21 NA SEC166 FUNDING Funding Number: PY21 NA SEC166 FUNDING Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $6,205,922 |
| The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) Career Services and Training Grants Reopening for Maine Apply for FOA ETA 20 08 B Funding Number: FOA ETA 20 08 B Agency: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training Funding Amount: $109,629 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "72011121APS00001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.