Deadline: 5 January 2019

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) and the United States Embassy in Tunisia, Assistance Unit, are seeking proposals from eligible applicants for a 2019 Tunisia Local GrantsProgram.

This program aims to provide direct support to develop and promote innovative, locally-driven solutions to locally-identified problems, build and expand inclusive local networks, and help civil society organizations to represent the needs of citizens through collective action.

Priority Areas

• Priority Area 1 – Voter Education: Supporting Tunisia’s democratic consolidation through increasing voter turnout in the 2019 parliamentary and presidential elections. Embassy Tunis seeks proposals that will expand Tunisians’ voter and civic education. Activities could include:
  • Educate women, youth, and marginalized communities about the electoral process;
  • Raising voters’ awareness about legislative or presidential candidates’ past record, political inclinations, and prior public statements; and
  • Providing technical assistance in open and inclusive context to potential candidates for the upcoming legislative and/or presidential elections.
• Priority Area 2 – Entrepreneurship: Spurring sustainable economic growth. Embassy Tunis seeks proposals that will help create jobs in the interior of the country as well as bridge the gap between the educational system and the job market by assisting high school- and university-age youth develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Activities could include:
  • Expanding the entrepreneurship culture among high school- and university-age youth to equip students with necessary skills and expertise that will help them in professional life;
  • Designing and implementing activities that improve entrepreneurship mindset among students, in conjunction with Tunisian high schools and universities; and
  • Equipping students with the necessary tools to help entrepreneurs launch or expand their businesses.

Award Information

• Estimated Initial Award Floor: $50,000
• Estimated Initial Award Ceiling (Nascent Organizations): $150,000
• Estimated Initial Award Ceiling (Intermediate Organizations): $350,000
• Length of Project Period: 18-24 Months

Eligible Countries and Territories

This announcement seeks to support projects in Tunisia. Applications that focus on activities in countries and territories other than Tunisia will NOT be considered.

Eligible Applicants

• The Assistance Coordination (AC) Regional Office in Rabat and Embassy Tunis will consider two types of eligible applicants:
  • Nascent Organizations: This Funding Opportunity targets applicants at the beginning (nascent) and/or intermediate levels of organizational development. These organizations may need professional development, but they will demonstrate experience in successfully managing projects, have established management structures, official registrations, community support, and clear organizational goals and objectives.
  • Intermediate Organizations: For the purpose of this Funding Opportunity, an intermediate organization is defined by previous organizational experience. To be considered “intermediate”, applicants must be able to demonstrate the following:
    • Established for at least two consecutive years prior to application;
    • Demonstrate a history of organizational capacity to properly staff and administer projects
    • Managed two or more Projects/Initiatives with a value of $25,000 USD per project or one or more project valued at $75,000-$100,000 USD and above;
    • Maintains current and valid organizational registrations in Tunisia and the registration requirements outlined in this Notice of Funding Opportunity; and,
    • Has established organizational documentation and management structures, including but not limited to, where applicable:
      • Organizational Documents,
      • Bi-laws and other Governance Materials,
      • Policies and Procedures, and
      • Financial Management Systems.
• The AC Regional Office in Rabat and Embassy Tunis are committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. The AC Regional Office in Rabat and Embassy Tunis welcome applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. They encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via given website.

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=310593