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U.S. Department of State
U.S. Embassy Tunisia

Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)
LOCAL GRANTS PROGRAM

* Enhancing Citizen Participation in Governance and Oversight in Tunisia *

Key Information:

The U.S. Embassy announces a new Request for Application (RFA) to support Tunisia’s ongoing democratic transition through direct support to Tunisian civil society or non-governmental organizations. As U.S. President Barack Obama noted on December 22 “The strong commitment by Tunisia’s leaders and the Tunisian people to inclusive political dialogue, consensus-building, and democratic values has been crucial to the success of the political transition and will be equally important during the next phase of Tunisia’s history.  This historic moment is an opportunity for the international community to reaffirm and deepen its commitment to Tunisia. The United States stands at the forefront of this effort.”

This RFA is consistent with U.S. Department of State principles enshrined in the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) to build participatory societies in which citizens have regular opportunities to hold their government accountable and play active roles in making decisions that affect their lives.

The U.S. Embassy invites Tunisian civil society organizations or non-governmental organizations to submit creative and detailed proposals, which address an array of needs outlined below. Strengthened Tunisian institutions is only one side of the good governance equation.  Of equal importance, and especially critical to maintaining public confidence in the transition, is the role Tunisian civil society must play in serving as conduits for the expression of citizen views and in instilling accountability and transparency in governance.

Purpose of the Award:

Applications should work toward the following objectives:

1. Build Tunisian NGO capacity to play a watchdog and accountability role post-national elections and develop effective civic education and advocacy efforts, especially for women and youth in the interior and southernmost governorates;
2. Provide professional development opportunities for journalists and other media professionals to strengthen the role of media as a means of constructive communication between citizens and the Tunisian government, especially at the local level; and
3. Sensitize the Tunisian public to issues related to decentralization and upcoming local elections, to include training for newly elected local government officials on intra-governmental advocacy, constituent consultation, and effective messaging.

Award Information:

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Size of Awards: Awards typically range from $50,000 to $200,000.

Date Opened: January 5, 2015

Date Closed: February 15, 2015

Cost Sharing: The program does/does not require cost sharing.

Number of Applications: Applicants may not submit more than one proposal per organization.

Funding restrictions: U.S. Department of State awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles and other considerations, described in the website: mepi.seiservices.com/LocalGrants.
Projects are usually funded for one year, but the project and budget periods can be a minimum of three months. MEPI can award a grantee additional funding and extend the period of performance beyond the initial project and budget period, on a noncompetitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

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.

Questions: Please direct questions to MEPITunis@state.gov

Evaluation Criteria:  A MEPI review panel will assess proposals based on their quality, relevance, prospect for success, and originality based on a set of criteria.