Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) (19.500)
Program
19.500 Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)
Federal Agency
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Authorization
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as Amended, U.S.C. 22.
Program Number
19.500
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To support economic, political, and educational reform efforts in the Middle East and North Africa and champion opportunity for all people of the region, especially women and youth.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and Cooperative agreements to support economic, political, and educational reform efforts in the Middle East and North Africa and champion opportunity for all people of the region, especially women and youth. Usually in the form of training programs and projects involving US-based organizations that partner with local NGOS and government officials. 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 CPA or 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 on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, West/Bank Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, and Yemen.
Credentials/Documentation
CVs of main program staff.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.12372.
Application Procedure
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 Procedure
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.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
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.
Program Accomplishments
As a Presidential Initiative, the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) through new FY 02 and FY 03 Economic Support Funds (ESF) and existing funds in the Middle East Democracy Fund (MEDF) and the U.S. North Africa Economic Partnership (USNAEP), which are now part of MEPI, has funded nearly 70 programs aimed at promoting economic, political, and education reform and women's empowerment in the Middle East. Program descriptions can be found on www.mepi.state.gov.
Financial Information
Account Identification
19-1014-0-1-150.
Obligations
(ESF) FY 02 $29,000,000; FY 03 SUP est $100,000,000 and FY 04 est $12,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
FY 02 $100,000 to $2,000,000. Larger awards anticipated for FY 03 on wards, although some funds will be reserved for award for less than $500,000. 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.
Related Programs
Department of State Multilateral Peace Process Account. Bilateral Economic Support Funds managed by USAID in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Yemen, and West Bank/Gaza. Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funds (IRRF) managed by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
MEPI Regional Offices will open in Tunis, Tunisia, and Abu Dhabi, UAE in summer 2004.
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.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
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; Literacy Training in Morocco, and Judicial Reform in Oman.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
MEPI is looking for new and innovative proposals to promote economic, political and education reform and empower women in the Middle East. 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.
