MEPI Local Grants Annual Program Statement

The summary for the MEPI Local Grants Annual Program Statement grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Middle East Partnership Initiative, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

MEPI Local Grants Annual Program Statement: The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through MEPIs Local Grants program. In applying for a local grant, please follow all instructions below carefully. Purpose of Local Grants: Local grants promote reform and civic activism at the local and national levels in countries of the Middle East and North Africa, build the institutional capacity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and strengthen civil society. Local grants are implemented by members of civil society, including NGOs, civic groups, reform networks, and academic institutions that are committed to supporting democratic values and the active participation of all individuals in social, political, and economic life. Local grants are typically awarded only to local, not international, organizations. Funding is available for projects that protect and advance civil liberties especially political and civic rights, empower women and youth, strengthen the rule of law, develop independent and pluralistic media, foster economic opportunity and economic reform, and promote an educated, active, and informed citizenry. Local grant projects are intended to support quick impact activities. They generally are completed in one year and should be designed to carry out proposed activities and make an impact within that one-year period. Proposed local grant projects should involve activities in one or more of the following areas: _Advocacy by civil society, NGOs, and professional associations, including grassroots level and community organizations, to promote legal or political reforms and raise public awareness of democratic values and processes. _Development of networks, partnerships, and coalitions that could include local NGOs, civil society organizations, government officials, and/or the business community to promote reform. _Expansion of opportunities for youth (ages 15-24), particularly those that to provide practical, hands-on experience in civic engagement, public service, and volunteerism, and that help to improve local communities. _Expansion of womens participation in public life at the local, regional, and national levels. _Promotion of the rule of law, including rights education, education of legal professionals, and advocacy activities to expand civic rights and to ensure legal judicial systems protect the rights of all individuals. _Promotion of legal frameworks and processes that expand citizen participation in politics and public life. _Promotion of good governance, including anti-corruption efforts and initiatives to promote government transparency and integrity. _Promotion of public awareness of current political issues and processes, including voter education. _Development of media institutions that defend the public interest and provide credible and diverse sources of information. _Promotion of economic reform that expands economic opportunity especially for youth, including promoting entrepreneurship and commercial and legal reforms, as well as workforce development training. _Expansion of educational opportunities, including civic education activities that promote tolerance of different views, respect for democratic values and institutions, protection of ethnic and religious diversity, leadership development, and community service. For illustrative examples of local grants, MEPI maintains a list of current and previously funded MEPI Local Grant Projects on our Regional Office websites: www.abudhabi.mepi.state.gov and www.medregion.mepi.state.gov