Congress enacted the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) in December 2020 to advance peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians and enable a sustainable two-state solution. MEPPA establishes two funds and authorizes up to $250 million over five years for programs to be implemented through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). 

This APS seeks to engage people directly affected by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and invites applicants to approach peacebuilding with a greater focus on reconciliation, advocacy, dialogue among groups with diverse views, and healing.

Goal:

The overall goal of MEPPA is to build the foundation for peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians and enable a sustainable two-state solution. Working toward that vision, this funding opportunity seeks to strengthen people-to-people grassroots linkages to address common challenges and enhance peacebuilding momentum to affect institutional and policy change. 

Objectives:

This funding opportunity for the MEPPA People-to-People Partnership for Peace Fund Grants Activity aims to achieve the following objectives:  

• Increase partnership between Palestinians and Israelis, and Arab and Jewish Israelis, to address issues of common interest or concern.
• Bolster efforts by Palestinians and Israelis to address internal divisions that must be overcome to foster peaceful coexistence.
• Improve the enabling environment for cross-border partnership, particularly in development sectors, such that policies, procedures, and structures allow Palestinians and Israelis to engage in meaningful interactions across sectors without any barriers and fear of intimidation. 
• Strengthen the resilience of peacebuilding constituencies and institutions. 

Qualified U.S. or non-U.S. organizations, non-profit, or for-profit entities may apply for funding under this APS. To be eligible, all entities must be legally registered entities under applicable law and eligible under the relevant laws to receive funding from USAID. Individuals, unregistered, or informal organizations are not considered eligible applicants.

USAID/West Bank and Gaza