Deadline: 2 August 2018

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) is seeking applications for a program entitled “U.S.-MENA Experiential Partnership: Increasing Economic and Local Governance Opportunities”.

This project complements USAID’s programs that anchor and institutionalize newly elected, created, and/or empowered local government entities. This project is unique in its focus of tapping into the skills of the U.S.-MENA community members specifically as a resource to improve governance and economic opportunities at the local level.

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) seeks projects that harness U.S.-MENA communities to work in peer-to-peer professional partnerships with their MENA counterparts to leverage local and international business communities to induce creative solutions for local governance and economic issues.

Objectives

• Improving policies and procedures that expand opportunities for entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises for economic growth and job creation; and
• Enhancing efforts for local governments to be representative of, responsive to, and trusted by their citizens.

Award Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $700,000
• Estimated Award Ceiling: $700,000
• Estimated Award Floor: $250,000

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants include:
  • U.S. or foreign
  • Non-profit organizations;
  • For-profit organizations;
  • Private institutions of higher education;
  • Public or state institutions of higher education;
  • Public international organizations; and
  • Small businesses with functional and regional experience in the areas of participatory governance and economic growth in the MENA region.
• NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. NEA/AC encourages applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply via given website.

Eligible Countries: United States, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.

For more information, please visit Grants.gov.