U.S. Department of State, Bureau of NEA/AC launches Tunisia Chambers of Commerce Capacity Building Program

Deadline: 1 May 2019

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) and the United States Embassy in Tunisia, Assistance Unit has launched a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to strengthen the capacity of targeted regional Chambers of Commerce in Tunisia and increase their performance in serving as a major driver of local development and investment within their communities.

This opportunity aims to advance U.S. foreign policy in Tunisia by spurring economic development through support to the Chambers of Commerce in Gabes, Gafsa, and Beja that improves their capacity to serve as local drivers of sustainable growth.

NEA/AC and Embassy Tunis Assistance Unit seek proposals that support the Chambers of Commerce in Gabes, Gafsa, and Beja to:

Improve leadership, decision-making, and strategic planning to ensure efficient and responsive workflows.
Increase the skills of staff to support and engage constructively with member businesses.
Develop and deliver consistent, tailored services to constituents.
Attract investment and spur the creation of new businesses in the respective regions.
Increase membership for each Chamber.
Increase sources of income for each Chamber.

Priority Areas

A proven aspect of a successful Chamber is effective leadership and strategic direction. As such, the first priority area seeks to strengthen leadership capacity and support evidence-based strategic planning for each of the Chambers.
In order to maintain consistent and demand-driven performance, it is essential that each Chamber have staff with the necessary professional skills. Thus, priority area two aims to build the skills of Chambers staff to carry out operational and administrative functions, support leadership with strategic planning, and implement services in response to local demands.
A successful Chamber of Commerce is one that can provide consistent value-adding services to member firms. Therefore, the third priority area seeks to support the Chambers to develop and deliver tailored, diversified services.
The targeted Chambers would benefit greatly from increased investment and the creation of new businesses. As such, priority area number four aims to promote investment in the relevant governorates and stimulate the creation of new businesses in order to increase job opportunities, diversity of industries, infrastructure, and the quality of local services.
A major obstacle for the development of the Chambers is their lack of revenue and diversified sources of income. The fifth priority area seeks to increase the sources of income for each Chamber in order to generate greater revenue and help create more sustainable organizations.

Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding: $700,000
Estimated Award Ceiling: $700,000
Estimated Award Floor: $500,000
Estimated Length of Project Period: 18 months

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. or foreign
  - Non-profit organizations;
  - For-profit organizations;
  - Public or state institutions of higher education;
  - Private institutions of higher education;
  - Public International Organizations; and
  - Small businesses with function and regional experience in the areas of economic growth, capacity building, leadership training, and organizational development in the MENA region.
NEA/AC and Embassy Tunis Assistance Unit strongly encourage applications from organizations headquartered in the Middle East and North Africa region. International non-governmental organizations with principal bases of operations outside the Middle East and North Africa are also encouraged to apply, but the percentage of total budget actually spent in the region through local partners will be among the elements of evaluation for this competition.
NEA/AC and Embassy Tunis Assistance Unit are committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. NEA/AC and Embassy Tunis Assistance Unit welcome applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. They encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.