The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), located in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, is a unique program designed to engage directly with and invest in the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). MEPI works to create vibrant partnerships with citizens to foster the development of pluralistic, participatory, and prosperous societies throughout the MENA region. To do this, MEPI collaborates with local, regional, and international non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and governments.
Through its Washington, D.C. headquarters and Regional Offices in Abu Dhabi and Tunis, MEPI has contributed more than $580 million to more than 680 projects in 18 countries and territories since its establishment in 2002.
MEPI has announced a competition for proposals to establish a network that connects all alumni of MEPI-funded projects. Currently, there are over 11,000 MEPI alumni and this number is growing daily. The MEPI Alumni Network will connect a group of local MEPI Alumni Chapters (single or multi-country) that together provide coverage for the entire region where MEPI operates. Through this MEPI Alumni Network, we hope to support and strengthen MEPI alumni and their commitment to and engagement in civic activism, creating an environment where MEPI alumni can work together to bring positive change to the region using and expanding upon the skills acquired through their various MEPI experiences.
The goal is to provide 100% coverage for the entire Middle East and North Africa region to include all countries listed in this program announcement.
Eligible Countries:
MEPI is seeking to establish Local Chapters of the MEPI Alumni Network in the following countries and territories: 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.
Goals:
- Strengthen Connections among Alumni, Activists, and Civil Society Organizations
- Enhance Alumni Skills to Seize Opportunities for Civic Engagements
- Maintain and Strengthen Relationships with MEPI Alumni
- Encourage MEPI Network Alumni to Remain Active in Civic Life
Eligible Applicants:
Eligible applicants which include any registered non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and institutions of higher education (such as colleges and universities), alone or with specified partner organizations, are invited to apply for funding to establish and maintain single or multi-country MEPI Alumni Chapters.
Funding
Estimated Award Ceiling (per country): $375,000 (Up to $125,000 per year)
Estimated Award Floor (per country): $180,000 (Up to $60,000 per year)
Deadline for submitting the proposals is July 17, 2011
For more information and details, please visit this link and search the Funding Opportunity Number “NEAPI-11-AW-035-MENA-062111”
