Special Programs to Address the Needs of Survivors

Program Description

Special Program to Address the Need of Survivors (SPANS) Grant Solicitation and Management (GSM) is an umbrella grant making mechanism that supports services that assist vulnerable populations.

The program funds service delivery, training and related activities to provide assistance to groups including displaced children and orphans, war victims, and persons with disabilities in more than 40 countries and territories.

World Learning awards grants on behalf of USAID under five congressionally mandated funds:

• Center on Children in Adversity/Displaced Children’s and Orphans Fund: Preventing inappropriate institutionalization of children; assisting formerly institutionalized children to integrate into communities; working with ministries to develop appropriate child protection methods; providing emergency child protection measures in conflict situations; and promoting early childhood development for vulnerable children.
• Disability Program: Support for activities related to disability issues that cannot be included in the above categories but still fit with the overall SPANS/GSM objective of improved health for vulnerable populations.
• Leahy War Victims Fund: Improving data and information about the use and utility of prosthetic and orthotic devices and physical therapy as part of a rehabilitation continuum; vocation and economic strengthening for people with disabilities; and strengthening disabled people’s organizations.
• Victims of Torture Fund: Assisting in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals, families and community members who suffer from the physical and psychological effects of torture and trauma
• Wheelchair Program: Supporting wheelchair provision, including research, testing, and developing international standards.

Under SPANS/GSM, World Learning administers a comprehensive grant making process from identifying potential grantees, to soliciting applications, to monitoring project implementation, to closeout. As necessary, World Learning provides targeted capacity development support to grantees to strengthen their performance. On behalf of USAID, SPANS/GSM also convenes stakeholder engagement events, administers short-term technical contracts, and produces multimedia pieces that highlight the work of grantee organizations.

Countries: Albania, Armenia, Burundi, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, United States, West Bank and Gaza, Zimbabwe