Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)
See www.mepi.state.gov for a complete listing of MEPI funded programs, including those awarded to non-US based institutions and through pre-existing USAID grant and contract mechanisms and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Department of Commerce.
Region-wide programs funded include: Middle East Judicial and Legal Reform Forum; Corporate Governance; Creating Child Centered Schools; Open and Pluralistic Media.
Country-specific programs including Election Monitoring in Yemen; and Judicial Reform in Oman.
The Department of State strives to create a more secure, democratic and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community.
Relevant Nonprofit Program Categories
Program Accomplishments
As a Presidential Initiative, the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) through Economic Support Funds (ESF) and has funded over 350 programs aimed at promoting political, economic, and education reform and women's empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa. Program descriptions can be found on www.mepi.state.gov.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and Cooperative agreements to support political, economic, and educational reform efforts and the empowerment of women in the Middle East and North Africa..
MEPI encourages applications from partnerships or consortia led by local organizations based in the Middle East and North Africa.
Awards are designed to benefit principally the non-governmental organizations and citizens of countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Preference will be given to countries in the region with less developed civil societies, and with limited experience in developing and implementing issue based campaigns on economic, democratic, or educational reforms, and advocacy for women's rights, aimed at increasing the number of active stakeholders and building effective local coalitions.
MEPI has particular interest in supporting programs that are innovative and that meet needs and opportunities not already addressed by current donor funding, particularly through USAID bilateral agreements.
Generally MEPI does not fund bricks and mortar type projects or stand-alone scholarships.
Middle East Peace Process projects are generally funded out of the separate Department of State Multilateral Peace Process Account.
Development projects in Egypt, Jordan, or Iraq are generally funded by USAID bilateral ESF funds.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Non-profit, for-profit organizations or state and local governments interested in partnering with the Middle East Partnership Initiative to promote change in the Middle East.
Applicants must have an established track record in conducting training programs and promoting reform through development projects.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Country covered by the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, not currently subject to foreign assistance restrictions. Could include: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, West/Bank Gaza, Yemen.
Credentials/Documentation
CVs of main program staff.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Respond to a general MEPI Standing Program Announcement or specific Request for Application (RFA) posted on www.grants.gov and www.mepi.state.gov. SF 424 and full proposal required. Public Diplomacy and Alumni Outreach Plan must be incorporated in proposal.
Award Procedures
A technical review panel reviews proposals and scores them in accordance with published review criteria and determines priority program recommendations for final negotiation on the grant.
Deadlines
As announced on www.grants.gov and www.mepi.state.gov.
Authorization
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
25 to 180 days.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Based on program needs and availability of funding.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
No requirements, but applications that reflect cost sharing arrangements, especially for programs in the following Gulf countries (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and UAE) will be viewed more favorably. Cost-sharing arrangements between MEPI and the recipients are negotiated prior to award.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly Programmatic Reports, including relation of progress to expenditures in the narrative, Financial Reports, and final report including program evaluation.
One web-postable success story from program to be posted on www.mepi.state.gov.
Audits
As mandated in OMB circular A-133.
Records
Above reports will be retained for three years from the date of submission of the final financial report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
19-1014-0-1-150.
Obigations
FY 07 $120,000; FY 08 est not available; FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
See specific funding announcement for details.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Guidelines for grants and cooperative agreements are distributed in conjunction with the request for applications or program announcements. Extensive background and program information is available on www.mepi.state.gov.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
MEPI has Regional Offices in Tunis, Tunisia, Abu Dhabi, and UAE.
Headquarters Office
Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs 2201 C Street N.W. Rm 5253A Washington D.C. 20520.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
MEPI is looking for new and innovative proposals to promote political, economic, and education reform and empower women in the Middle East and North Africa. Proposals that include cost-sharing, partnership with local NGOs or governments, a public outreach plan, and an alumni component will be viewed favorably. In addition, proposals should be responsiveness to the substantive provisions set forth in each Program Announcement or Request for Application posted www.grants.gov and www.mepi.state.gov.
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