Promoting Economic Opportunity in the Western Sahara

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs' Office of Assistance Coordination's (NEA/AC) Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) seeks proposals that support inclusive economic growth in the Western Sahara by improving local economic opportunities within the private sector and among women and youth. Detailed socioeconomic data on the Western Sahara, however, is lacking or unavailable, limiting the ability to conduct targeted interventions and initiatives. Thus, proposals should offer a phased approach to programming to include: 1) conducting research of constraints to local economic development in the Western Sahara that will serve as a baseline for economic data (with special attention to disaggregating these data by youth and women); 2) completing a formative assessment on the data and findings, which offers recommendations for targeted interventions to develop existing or high-potential local economic opportunities; and 3) developing and implementing a data-driven, action-oriented pilot project that bolsters inclusive private sector economic opportunity by addressing some of the identified constraints to development of one or more promising sectors, or filling existing high-demand local jobs. The project must be scalable and replicable should additional funding become available. Applications must clearly and succinctly outline a detailed plan for how each activity will be completed, how information will be collected and analyzed, and how information will be strategically shared with stakeholders. Applications must demonstrate a strong capacity to establish local partnerships and work with businesses, think tanks, civil society, municipalities, key stakeholders, etc. on the ground.