Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005886
The Tunisia Civil Society Accelerator (EXCEL) is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity designed to strengthen the long-term capacity and sustainability of civil society in Tunisia. Issued by the Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia (Assistance Unit), the program focuses on helping Tunisian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) become more resilient, credible, and effective institutions. The overall intent is to reinforce the role of civil society as a driver of democratic governance and inclusive economic growth, which the opportunity frames as aligned with U.S. foreign policy objectives in Tunisia.
At its core, the opportunity emphasizes organizational sustainability rather than short-term project delivery alone. It aims to push participating organizations toward healthier funding models by encouraging them to diversify their revenue and support base, reducing reliance on any single donor stream. Alongside financial sustainability, the program prioritizes adopting and institutionalizing best practices tied to ethics, transparency, and accountability, which typically includes strengthening internal controls, governance structures, compliance practices, and clear standards for responsible organizational conduct. The rationale is that organizations with strong ethical and accountability frameworks are better positioned to earn public trust, attract varied funding, and deliver durable impact.
EXCEL is offered as a discretionary award under a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government expects an active partnership role during implementation rather than a purely hands-off grant. The funding activity category is listed as "Other," indicating a cross-cutting capacity-building effort that may not fit neatly into a single traditional sector label. The program is associated with CFDA number 19.600, reflecting the State Department assistance account typically used for this type of foreign assistance programming.
In terms of scale and competitiveness, the notice anticipates making a single award, with an award ceiling of $1,913,000. The funding opportunity (SFOP0005886) was created on May 14, 2019, with an original closing date of June 21, 2019. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the expectation that the formal notice provides additional clarification on which types of entities may apply and what requirements they must meet. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a structured accelerator for Tunisian civil society, aimed at strengthening organizational systems, funding resilience, and credibility so that NGOs and CSOs can sustain their work and contribute more effectively to Tunisia's democratic and economic development.Apply for SFOP0005886
- The Department of State, Assistance Coordination in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tunisia Civil Society Accelerator (EXCEL)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.600.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 14, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 21, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,913,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Tunisia Civil Society Accelerator (EXCEL)
What is the Tunisia Civil Society Accelerator (EXCEL)?
The Tunisia Civil Society Accelerator (EXCEL) is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity intended to strengthen the long-term capacity and sustainability of civil society in Tunisia. It is designed to help Tunisian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) become more resilient, credible, and effective institutions over time.
Who is issuing and managing this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia (Assistance Unit).
What is the main goal of the EXCEL program?
The main goal is to reinforce civil society in Tunisia by strengthening organizational sustainability and institutional capacity, rather than focusing only on short-term project delivery. The program aims to position NGOs and CSOs to sustain their work and contribute more effectively to democratic governance and inclusive economic growth.
What types of organizations is EXCEL meant to support?
The program focuses on Tunisian NGOs and CSOs. The opportunity describes an intent to strengthen civil society organizations as institutions, with emphasis on resilience, credibility, and effectiveness.
Does EXCEL focus on short-term projects or long-term organizational development?
EXCEL emphasizes long-term organizational sustainability and capacity-building rather than short-term project delivery alone. The overall intent is to strengthen the systems and practices that make organizations durable and effective over time.
What does the opportunity mean by "organizational sustainability"?
In this opportunity, organizational sustainability is framed as building stronger institutional systems and healthier funding models so organizations can continue operating effectively over the long term. A major element is encouraging organizations to diversify their revenue and support base so they are less dependent on any single donor stream.
What kind of funding resilience is the program trying to encourage?
The program encourages participating organizations to diversify their revenue and support base. The stated purpose is to reduce reliance on one donor source and move toward healthier, more resilient funding models.
What best practices does EXCEL prioritize?
EXCEL prioritizes the adoption and institutionalization of best practices related to ethics, transparency, and accountability. This typically includes strengthening internal controls, governance structures, compliance practices, and standards for responsible organizational conduct.
Why does EXCEL emphasize ethics, transparency, and accountability?
The opportunity explains that organizations with strong ethical and accountability frameworks are generally better positioned to earn public trust, attract varied funding, and deliver durable impact.
How is this award structured (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
EXCEL is described as a discretionary award under a cooperative agreement. This indicates the U.S. government expects to have an active partnership role during implementation, rather than operating in a purely hands-off way.
What does "cooperative agreement" imply for implementation?
Based on the opportunity description, a cooperative agreement means there is an expectation of active involvement and partnership from the U.S. government during implementation, rather than the recipient carrying out the work with minimal engagement from the funder.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed as "Other," which indicates the effort is cross-cutting and capacity-building in nature and may not fall neatly into a single traditional sector category.
What is the CFDA number associated with EXCEL?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 19.600, which reflects the U.S. Department of State assistance account typically used for this type of foreign assistance programming.
How many awards does the notice anticipate making?
The notice anticipates making a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,913,000.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity is identified as SFOP0005886.
When was this opportunity created?
The funding opportunity was created on May 14, 2019.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date listed for this opportunity is June 21, 2019.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The opportunity notes that the formal notice is expected to provide additional clarification on which types of entities may apply and what requirements they must meet.
Is this opportunity aligned with any broader policy goals?
Yes. The opportunity frames its intent as aligned with U.S. foreign policy objectives in Tunisia, emphasizing civil society as a driver of democratic governance and inclusive economic growth.
What is the overall theory of change behind EXCEL?
The opportunity suggests that stronger organizational systems (including financial resilience, governance, internal controls, and ethical standards) help civil society organizations build credibility and public trust, diversify support, and sustain impact. In turn, more capable and sustainable civil society is positioned to contribute to Tunisia's democratic governance and inclusive economic growth.
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