During the months of January-February 2016, DARPE managed to track 150+ tenders and grants, as published by Development Aid Providers throughout the MENA region. The lion’s share of available development aid projects was received by Egypt, at 45%, while reginal projects across the MENA region, i.e. covering more than one country, reached a significant 15% of total development projects. The first quarter of 2016 has not slowed down donors and fund providers, who have now pledged funds, either through short-term procurements, or long-term grants and loans, that exceed USD $ 220,500,000 according to conservative estimates.

The majority of funds have been allocated for long-term programs in Jordan and Lebanon, such as the USD $135,000,000 grant for addressing the root causes of instability and irregular migration for the 2016-2021 period, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Another important project is USAID/Jordan’s new Health Finance and Governance Activity aimed to improve health sector sustainability and resilience in Jordan, valued at USD $24,500,000. The total allocation of funds in Egypt has amounted to a minimum of USD $ 13 million, with projects such as the USD $ 7.2 million GIZ funded program for improving living conditions for the poor urban population living in deprived informal areas at Cairo, Giza and the Qalyubeya Governorate. Preference has also been given to programs that cover the entirety of the MENA region. For example, EuropAid has invested USD $ 13 million towards the implementation of the Sustainable Water Integrated Management programe (SWIM).

The most important indicator that helps professional service providers grow their business and make it sustainable is always knowing how the money is utilized. Thematic trends for the first two months of 2016 indicate that donors, multilateral organizations, and development banks are effecting a major change in regards to implementing critiria.

Financial sustainability and social inclusion are currently playing center stage in the development aid industry. Projects that focus on economic growth and improvement of public services, especially through the empowerment of women and young adults, represent 52% of the total sectorial spectrum. In addition to standard implementing approaches, donors have now begun to understand the full potential of the private sector in achieving universal development goals. Promoting sustainable economic growth by supporting job creation efforts and helping increase access to financing not only reduces unemployment and poverty, but also expedites a positive systemic change in developing communities.

The major sources for tenders and grants for the January-February 2016 period have been international multilateral agencies, such as UNDP and EuropeAid, as well as foreign government agencies, such as USAID/US State Department and KfW. Development banks and international organizations have also increased their involvement in the aid industry by providing loans and grants for large infrastructure projects, and local community development.

Here are some examples of recent tenders and grants, for more information please check the Tenders and Grants tracker:

1. EuropeAid-Support for the promotion and development of new tools for agricultural statistics.
2. GIZ- Call for EOI for Promotion of Gender Diversity Management in selected enterprises in North Africa, Middle East.
3. AfDB- Development of the institutional, legal and regulatory framework and training needs assessment.
4. EuropeAid- Scaling up good agricultural practices in Matrouh-Egypt.
5. Norad- Innovation competition: EduApp4Syria.
6. EBRD- Development of Technical Cooperation – Legal Comparative Diagnostics and Policy Workshops.
7. US State Department- Promoting sustainable economic growth by supporting job creation efforts and helping increase access to financing and credits.
8. EBRD- Policy advice and SMEs capacity building (Re-launch).