Deadline: 6 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 announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support the goals of the Tunisian Start-Up Act, which was passed by the country’s Parliament in 2018 and intends to address unemployment and boost technology by fostering more innovative, creative, and scalable start-ups.
This opportunity aims to advance US foreign policy in Tunisia by increasing employment opportunities and supporting economic governance reform through technical assistance to the Government of Tunisia (GoT) to create a regulatory environment that allows Tunisian startups to emerge, blossom, and thrive.
NEA/AC and the Tunis Assistance Unit seek proposals that:
- Support efforts to adopt a modified regulatory framework that assists in the implementation of newly issued regulations and promotes innovative entrepreneurship and a startup-friendly environment.
- Reduce the administrative burden of the Start-Up Commission, allowing it to better serve Tunisia’s emerging start-ups.
Problem Statement
Unemployment remains a key socio-economic problem in Tunisia, particularly among college graduates. Private sector-led employment has not been strong enough to absorb a large and growing young labor force. Unemployment is over 15 percent and youth unemployment exceeds 30 percent. A third of all university graduates are unemployed. The pervasive lack of economic opportunity undermines the country’s social and economic stability. Tunisia’s current employment policy is to encourage private sector-led, job-creation growth.
Achievable Objectives
A successful project will result in:
- The drafting and adoption of a modified regulatory framework that addresses local startup needs and translates the Start-Up Act into public policies that encourage investment and economic growth.
- A reduced administrative burden for the Start-Up Commission through the development and provision of efficient resources and systems to support emerging start-ups.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,000,000
- Award Ceiling: $1,000,000
- Award Floor: $500,000
Project Design
This solicitation invites applications in support of increasing employment opportunities and driving economic governance reform through technical assistance to the GoT to create a regulatory environment that allows startups to emerge, blossom, and thrive in Tunisia. Successful applications will also work closely with the Start-Up Commission. Two priority areas have been identified. Responsive applications will be those that address both priority areas through one application submission.
- Regulatory Framework (Priority Area 1): In order to improve the business environment for entrepreneurs and maximize the economic impact of Tunisian start-ups, it is essential that the proper regulatory framework is in place. As such, the first priority area seeks to support the GoT to develop economic reforms and business-friendly regulations. Recommended activities include but are not limited to:
- Lead consultations with the GoT and other stakeholders in the Tunisian and international business communities to review current and pending regulations as well as to brainstorm on new policies that encourage investment and support emerging companies;
- Provide technical assistance and administrative support to the GoT for the development and effective implementation of efficient regulations and foreign investment reforms;
- Coordinate advocacy campaigns that encourage the adoption of policies that bolster the startup ecosystem and ease restrictions.
- Administrative Burden (Priority Area 2): A significant concern of many stakeholders in the Tunisian business community is that administrative burdens will inhibit successful implementation of the Start-Up Act. Thus, the second priority area aims to reduce the administrative burden on the Start-Up Commission through technical assistance and the development of efficient resources and streamlined processes. Recommended activities include but are not limited to:
- Provide tools and training to the Start-Up Commission to assist it in evaluating applications from emerging Start-Ups in a timely fashion;
- Conduct a holistic review of the Start-Up Commission’s operations, identifying areas where technical assistance can most effectively be applied;
- Deliver technical support to facilitate the implementation of an online platform that leads to one hundred (100) new companies gaining the start-up designation;
- Develop and manage tools and resources, including mapping out steps and requirements to take advantage of new benefits under the Start-Up Act, along with the Start-Up; Commission that support the growth of start-ups, leading to 50 firms increasing their workforce and a significant increase in firms opening and maintaining foreign-currency accounts;
- Assist certified start-ups with developing mechanism to protect their intellectual property and file national and international patent applications.
Project beneficiaries should/shall include:
- The Tunisian Start-Up Commission, relevant GoT entities such as the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, and various stakeholders of the Tunisian business community.
The following activities and costs are NOT ALLOWED under this announcement:
- Exchange activities with other countries or territories;
- Social welfare projects: Paying to complete activities begun with other funds;
- Activities that appear partisan or that support individual or party electoral campaigns;
- Academic or analytical research (if not necessary as part of a larger project);
- One-time events, such as stand-alone conferences and one-off round tables;
- Medical and psychological research and clinical studies;
- Projects of a commercial or profit making nature;
- Cultural presentations, cultural research, cultural clubs, or festivals, etc.’ and
- Entertainment costs (e.g., receptions, social activities, ceremonies, alcoholic beverages, guided tours).
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include: –
- U.S. or foreign
- Non-profit organizations;
- For-profit organizations;
- Private institutions of higher education;
- Public or state institutions of higher education;
- Public international organizations;
- Small businesses with functional and regional experience in the areas of regulatory policies and reforms, entrepreneurship, economic governance, and organization strengthening in the MENA region
- NEA/AC and Embassy Tunis 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 are committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. We encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=315135