Funding Opportunities

MEPI offers a variety of funding mechanisms to support the efforts of reform-minded individuals and organizations working throughout the region. MEPI Regional Grants often operate in more than one country and are awarded and administered by the MEPI office in Washington. The Tunis Regional Office is primarily responsible for awarding and administering MEPI local Grants and Civil Society Grants.

MEPI Local Grants

These grants are provided to local non-governmental organizations based in Middle East/North African countries to support projects that increase political openness and democratic processes, create new economic opportunities, enhance access to and quality of education systems, and/or empower women. Local Grants usually range in size from $25,000 to $75,000, though there is flexibility for grants outside this range. Most projects financed by Local Grants have a duration of one year. Applicants should apply directly to the U.S. Embassy in their country. Depending on the Embassy, applications may be accepted on a rolling basis or according to fixed deadlines. Please contact the Embassy directly for details on their procedures. You can download the latest version of the Local Grants application form here.

MEPI Civil Society Grants:

Similar to Local Grants in the program areas they address, Civil Society Grants may operate in one or in multiple countries, and are subject to a maximum $100,000 limit. Only those non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations that have participated in the yearly G8/BMENA Forum for the Future are normally eligible to apply. Applications are accepted periodically in response to a Request for Applications announced by the Regional Office on this website. If your organization is a previous or ongoing participant in the Forum for the Future, or has been involved in Foundation for the Future activities, for more information contact us at mepi.medregion@state.gov

 

Activities that are typically funded include, but are not limited to:

1. Workshops and meetings of a practical and professional nature, which are an integral part of a larger project and contribute to overall project goals;
2. Community service projects that practice democratic processes and encourage volunteerism;
3. Public education projects/ Public meetings or seminars;
4. Task forces that will subsequently recommend a specific plan of action.

Activities that may not be funded:

• Social welfare projects;
• Organizational start-up costs;
• Ongoing operating costs or capital improvements;
• Buying furniture and office decorations;
Buying vehicles;
•  Setting up a center unless part of a broader project;
• Paying to complete activities begun with other funds;
Projects that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns;
• Academic or analytical research (if not part of a larger project); Scholarships;
International travel, unless specifically justified within the context of a larger project.
• Citizen exchange programs with foreign countries;
• One-of-a kind events such as conferences and round tables (if not part of a larger project);
• Medical and psychological research, and clinical studies;
• Provision of health care services;
• Projects of a commercial or profit-making nature;
• Cultural presentations, cultural research, cultural clubs, and festivals etc.;
• Language training courses
• Entertainment costs (receptions, social activities, ceremonies, alcoholic beverages, cocktail parties, guided tours).
• Political party activities