Supporting Libya through Political Transition | NEAAC ACMEPI 16 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 16 002

The U.S. Department of State, through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) housed in the Bureau of Near East Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC), offered a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Supporting Libya through Political Transition" (Funding Opportunity Number: NEAAC ACMEPI 16 002). The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was to fund new projects that would help Libya continue its transition toward a democratic and peaceful state, with an emphasis on practical governance improvements, stronger rule-of-law systems, and a more resilient and active civil society. The program framed proposals around near-term, one-year transition needs, encouraging applicants to identify timely openings where targeted assistance could make measurable progress during the next year of Libya's political transition.

The funding mechanism was a cooperative agreement, which typically means the Department of State expected to have substantial involvement in the funded projects, such as collaborating on planning, monitoring, or key implementation decisions rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The activity category was listed as "Other," and the CFDA number associated with the opportunity was 19.500. The NOFO was created on February 24, 2016, and had an original application deadline of April 26, 2016. The opportunity anticipated making up to five awards, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000 per award.

Substantively, the NOFO sought projects that strengthen governance capacity at both national and local levels, recognizing that Libya's transition required capable institutions and responsive public administration across multiple layers of government. It highlighted support for the rule of law, which can include efforts aimed at improving legal frameworks, strengthening justice sector institutions, expanding access to justice, or enhancing the integrity and effectiveness of legal processes. It also emphasized nurturing a vibrant civil society, pointing toward work that expands citizen participation, builds civil society organization (CSO) capacity, and improves the enabling environment for civic engagement. In addition, the description specifically named several technical and programmatic areas as relevant to Libya's transition: constitutional drafting, national governance, local governance, institutional capacity building, citizen and CSO engagement, rule of law, media, and elections. Taken together, these themes suggest the Department was looking for integrated, transition-focused initiatives that could support inclusive political processes, build institutional legitimacy, and strengthen channels between citizens and government.

Eligibility was broad but experience requirements were specific. Eligible applicants included international NGOs, public international organizations, U.S. nonprofit organizations, U.S. for-profit organizations, U.S. private and public institutions of higher education, and U.S. small businesses. At the same time, the opportunity emphasized that applicants should have functional and regional experience, particularly experience directly connected to Libya, across the listed domains such as governance, constitutional processes, civil society engagement, media, elections, and rule-of-law programming. In practical terms, this signaled a preference for implementers with proven technical expertise and demonstrated ability to operate effectively in Libya's complex political and security environment, including an understanding of local stakeholders, institutions, and constraints.

Overall, the opportunity was designed as a short-horizon, high-impact funding call aimed at sustaining momentum in Libya's political transition. It prioritized programs that could deliver concrete assistance to institutions and communities, reinforce democratic governance and accountability, support credible political and electoral processes, strengthen independent media and civic space, and help lay the groundwork for longer-term stability through improved governance and rule-of-law outcomes.

• The Assistance Coordination in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Supporting Libya through Political Transition" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.500.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-02-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-04-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for NEAAC ACMEPI 16 002

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