Entrepreneurship in the MENA region

The Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) invites applicants to submit proposals that will foster and support entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa, advancing regional stability and prosperity. The aim of this opportunity is to assist new entrepreneurs seeking to expand and grow their businesses and activities. Proposals must demonstrate knowledge of the target countrys economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and propose project activities with the goal of moving seed stage entrepreneurs to the intermediate and expansion stage. This NOFO seeks proposals for funding for efforts that will lead to measurable increases in sales, employment and capitalization of start-up enterprises in the region, through successful and sustainable, evidence based approaches, including through support for the expansion of viable social enterprises, increased access to capital, technology transfer, marketing planning.Proposals should outline activities that successfully increase the number of entrepreneurs expanding start-ups or an evidenced based project model with a strong likelihood for success in the target country. Proposals should also describe how local leadership and ownership will be leveraged, as well as describe how they will pursue partnerships with local governments, private entities, and non-governmental institutions to support the objective of increasing the number of start-ups initiated by entrepreneurs. Applicants may propose interventions in a variety of areas such as entrepreneurial consulting, linking entrepreneurs to capital, connecting entrepreneurs with mentors, and establishing entrepreneurship partnerships with U.S. and other international businesses, among others. Applications must describe clearly and succinctly how interventions will lead to scaling up and expanding existing start-ups.