North Africa (MENA) region. Applications should specify organization’s key competencies in specific areas of economic reform and outline its regional and country-specific expertise. An organization or coalition may submit applications for one or more of the following program priority areas. Program Area 1 – Economic Governance The goal of MEPI programs in this area is to strengthen economic governance and to improve government accountability and transparency related to commercial transactions across the region. MEPI seeks to identify partners with demonstrated competency to support potential program activities in the following areas: government economic transparency, commercial law, monetary and fiscal policy, regulatory systems, financial sector development and anti-corruption.Program Area 2 – Organization StrengtheningThe goal of MEPI programs in this area is to enhance the operations and improve the effectiveness of local, national, and regional civil society organizations in the Middle East and North Africa. MEPI seeks to identify partners with demonstrated competency to implement activities in the following areas: legal and regulatory reform advocacy; coalition and network for economic reform, including international dialogue mechanisms; mobilization of businessmen and women around issues related to economic and political reform; political participation of chambers of commerce and other business organizations; oversight of public economic institutions; and development and implementation of strategies for business organizations to be locally supported and financially sustainable.Program Area 3 – Trade Capacity BuildingThe goal of MEPI programs in this area is to strengthen the ability of public and private sector stakeholders in selected MENA countries to engage effectively with counterparts regarding issues related to bilateral or multilateral trade policy. Specifically, MEPI seeks to identify partners with demonstrated competency to provide technical assistance to support ongoing WTO accessions and U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area processes. Background Information about MEPI: MEPI is a Presidential initiative to promote political, economic, and educational reform, and to empower women in the Middle East and North Africa through results-oriented programs, both regional and specific to individual countries. Reform is important to the U.S. goal of ensuring that the people of the region experience the benefits that come with more open economies, greater educational opportunities, and political freedom. A key element of MEPI is creating links and partnerships between Arab and U.S. civil society, and with governments to jointly achieve sustainable reform. For additional information, please go to http://www.mepi.state.gov.