Promoting Sustainable Economic Growth by Supporting Job Creation Efforts and Helping Increase Access to Financing and Credits | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the official title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Promoting Sustainable Economic Growth by Supporting Job Creation Efforts and Helping Increase Access to Financing and Credits."

2. Who is offering and administering this grant?

This is a discretionary U.S. Department of State funding program administered through the U.S. Embassy.

3. What larger initiative is this funding connected to?

The opportunity is framed under the Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which emphasizes building prosperous societies through better education, specialized skills training, and stronger conditions for business development so innovation can thrive and the private sector can become more competitive over the long term.

4. What is the main purpose of the grant?

The program is designed to support Tunisia's economic growth by funding projects that address barriers to employment and enterprise growth, especially in underserved or marginalized regions of Tunisia.

5. Who is the intended applicant audience?

The narrative description indicates the U.S. Embassy is seeking applications from Tunisian civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

6. What kinds of proposals is the NOFO looking for?

The NOFO is looking for practical, well-developed proposals that directly address barriers to employment and enterprise growth and that advance at least one of the program's three objectives.

7. What are the three main objectives applicants can propose under?

Applicants are expected to propose activities that advance at least one of the following:

• Expanding access to financing and credit to support business growth, job creation, and broader economic development.
• Workforce development with a strong emphasis on youth employment and market-relevant job skills.
• Customer service and employability skills for service-driven industries such as tourism, food and beverage, and communications.

8. What does the program mean by "expanding access to financing and credit"?

This objective focuses on improving pathways and readiness for people and businesses to access financing through sustainable mechanisms. Examples mentioned include financial literacy, strengthening linkages between entrepreneurs and lenders, and improving readiness for credit, without the project acting as a micro-lender.

9. Are micro-credit distributions allowed under the financing objective?

No. A key restriction is that proposals may not include simply distributing micro-credit or providing micro-credit awards. The emphasis is on systems, capacity, and sustainable pathways that help people and businesses access financing.

10. What is the focus of the workforce development objective?

The workforce development objective emphasizes youth employment and building market-relevant job skills so jobseekers can compete in a globalized economy and employers can find candidates with the competencies they need. The intent is to reduce unemployment by closing gaps between training outputs and labor market demand.

11. Which industries are specifically highlighted under the customer service and employability objective?

The opportunity specifically highlights service-driven industries such as tourism, food and beverage, and communications.

12. What types of skills are emphasized for service-driven industries?

The focus is on front-facing customer service, communication, professionalism, and practical preparation that improves a candidate's ability to succeed in service roles, raise service quality, and improve job retention.

13. Does a proposal have to focus on underserved or marginalized regions?

The NOFO emphasizes addressing barriers to employment and enterprise growth especially in underserved or marginalized regions of Tunisia, indicating a strong preference for proposals that target those areas.

14. What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $150,000.

15. What type of funding mechanism is being used?

The opportunity is offered as a grant.

16. What program categories does this opportunity fall under?

It is categorized under employment, labor and training, and regional development activities.

17. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 19.500.

18. What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NEAAC MEPITUNISLG 16 001.

19. When was this opportunity posted and created?

It was posted on February 1, 2016, and created the same day (February 1, 2016).

20. What was the application closing date?

The closing date was February 29, 2016.

21. How is eligibility described in the listing?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility clarification expected in the full announcement. However, the narrative description clearly indicates the Embassy is seeking applications from Tunisian civil society organizations and NGOs.

22. What kinds of results does the program aim to achieve?

Based on the description, the program aims to measurably improve access to finance and job readiness while strengthening Tunisia's longer-term economic competitiveness through workforce and private-sector development.

23. Is the program intended to support long-term competitiveness, or only short-term job placement?

The framing under MEPI and the focus on specialized skills and stronger business conditions indicate the program is intended to support long-term private sector competitiveness and durable economic growth, not only short-term employment outcomes.

24. Can a proposal address more than one objective?

The NOFO states applicants are expected to propose activities that advance at least one of the three objectives, which leaves open the possibility that a proposal could address more than one objective as long as the design is practical and well-developed.