The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce its ongoing competition for funding through MEPI’s Local Grants program. If you wish to apply for a local grant, please follow all instructions below carefully. Purpose of Local Grants: Local grants promote reform and civic activism at the local and national levels in countries of the Middle East and North Africa,build the institutional capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and strengthen civil society.

Local grants are implemented by members of civil society, including NGOs, civic groups,reform networks, and academic institutionsthat are committed to supporting democratic values and the active participation of all individuals in social, political, and economic life. Local grants are typically awarded only to local, not international, organizations.Funding is available for projects that protect and advance civil libertiesespecially political and civic rights, empower women and youth, strengthen the rule of law, develop independent and pluralistic media, foster economic opportunity and economic reform, and promote an educated, active, and informed citizenry.

Local grant projects are intended to support quick impact activities. They generally are completed in one year and should be designed to carry out proposed activities and make an impact within that one-year period. Proposed local grant projects should involve activities in one or more of the following areas:
• Advocacy by civil society, NGOs, and professional associations, including grassroots level and community organizations, to promote legal or political reforms and raise public awareness of democratic values and processes.
• Development of networks, partnerships, and coalitions that could include local NGOs, civil society organizations, government officials, and/or the business community to promote reform.
• Expansion of opportunities for youth (ages 15-24), particularly those that to provide practical, hands-on experience in civic engagement, public service, and volunteerism, and that help to improve local communities.
• Expansion of women’s participation in public life at the local, regional, and national levels.
• Promotion of the rule of law, including rights education, education of legal professionals, and advocacy activities to expand civic rights and to ensure legal judicial systems protect the rights of all individuals.
• Promotion of legal frameworks and processes that expand citizen participation in politics and public life.
• Promotion of good governance, including anti-corruption efforts and initiatives to promote government transparency and integrity.
• Promotion of public awareness of current political issues and processes, including voter education.
• Development of media institutions that defend the public interest and provide credible and diverse sources of information.
• Promotion of economic reform that expands economic opportunity especially for youth, including promoting entrepreneurship and commercial and legal reforms, as well as workforce development training.
• Expansion of educational opportunities, including civic education activities that promote tolerance of different views, respect for democratic values and institutions, protection of ethnic and religious diversity, leadership development, and community service.

Eligible Countries and Territories:

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen.

Award Information:
1.Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement or Grant
2.Estimated Number of Awards: 100
3.Estimated Total Program Funding: $7,000,000
4.Estimated Ceiling (or Maximum) Award Amount: $150,000
5.Estimated Floor (or Minimum) Award Amount: $25,000

MEPI reserves the right to award less or more than the amounts described above in the absence of worthy applications or under such other circumstances as MEPI may deem to be in the best interest of the U.S. Government.

Source and More Information:

Illustrative examples of MEPI local grants can be found on our Regional Office websites: www.abudhabi.mepi.state.gov and www.medregion.mepi.state.gov.