MEPI Funding Opportunity under U.S. Govt’s Local Grants Program

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State on October 1, 2011 has issued an annual program statement for funding that is available through MEPI’s Local Grants program aimed at promoting reform and civic activism at the local and national levels in countries of the Middle East and North Africa, building the institutional capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and strengthening the civil society.

Funding Focus Areas

• Advocacy by civil society, NGOs, and professional associations
• Development of networks, partnerships, and coalitions
• Expansion of opportunities for youth (ages 15-24)
• Expansion of women’s participation in public life at the local, regional, and national levels
• Promotion of the rule of law, legal frameworks and processes, good governance, public awareness
• Development of media institutions
• Promotion of economic reform that expands economic opportunity especially for youth
• Expansion of educational opportunities

Objectives

• Building pluralistic societies in which diversity is reflected in social organizations, politics, business, media, and government, and where all citizens have equal standing, protected by guaranteed rights and by independent and effective judiciaries;
• Building participatory societies in which citizens play an active role in making decisions that affect their lives and in holding their governments accountable; and
• Building prosperous societies in which education, specialized skill training, and an environment conducive to business development inspire innovation and create a foundation for long-term economic growth and an internationally competitive private sector.

Project Activities

• Community-level activities that provide practical experience in democratic processes and encourage and strengthen volunteerism and advocacy;
• Public education and awareness-building activities, as well as training-of-trainers;
• Workshops, meetings, or training events of a practical and professional nature, which are an integral part of and contribute to the overall project; and/or
• Capacity-building for civil society organizations/nongovernmental organizations.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include local representatives of civil society, including: individuals, nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector organizations, and universities based in the eligible countries. Any organization with a headquarters office located outside the eligible countries will not be considered.

Eligible countries and territories include: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen.

Award Details
Estimated Number of Awards: 100
Estimated Ceiling (or Maximum) Award Amount: $150,000
Estimated Floor (or Minimum) Award Amount: $25,000
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