MC – RFA For Private Sector and Local CSOs Country Strategy Realization Fund in Iraq CSRF

Prospective Applicants,

Mercy Corps Iraq is seeking applications from qualified local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and private sector entities to implement, as sub-recipients, initiatives under the Mercy Corps Country Strategy Realization Fund (CSRF) project. This fund is dedicated to advancing Mercy Corps Iraq’s strategic priorities across peace and good governance, water resource management, and economic opportunities, as well as strengthening our locally-led partnerships and commitment.

The CSRF is designed to catalyze innovative, impactful, and community-driven interventions that contribute to the locally led commitment of Mercy Corps, and to contribute to a pool of learning throughout this initiative. Mercy Corps is looking for partners to introduce innovative approaches at the community and levels in alignment with these strategic pillars. The partners should use the small grant (7,260,000) IQD dedicated under this CSRF project to enhance their organizational and technical capacities such as PMD and/or FMD certification, concept/proposal writing, establishing/enhancing their accountability mechanisms, and launching assessments/research, creating innovative tools and ideas, and any other support needed to enhance your organization.

The program’s overarching goal is to enhance community resilience, strengthen governance systems, and promote inclusive economic opportunities across Iraq’s diverse landscape.

Objective 1: Strengthen inclusive, community-led governance and peacebuilding processes to foster stability and social cohesion in conflict-affected areas.

Objective 2: Advance sustainable water resource management practices and promote equitable access to water for agriculture, communities, and industry.

Objective 3: Support the development of inclusive, market-driven economic opportunities that empower marginalized groups, particularly women and youth.

Mercy Corps seeks partners with innovative approaches, proven track records, and a commitment to inclusive, equity-responsive practices. We invite you to join us in realizing these critical goals for Iraq’s future.

Sub-Awards will be administered in accordance with Mercy Corps  regulations as applicable.

This RFA document is comprised of the following main sections:

• Section A – Award Information
• Section B – Applicant Information 
• Section C – Application Preparation and Submission Instructions
• Section D – Evaluation Criteria
• Section E – Program Description and Eligibility Criteria for CSOs
• Section  F -Scope of Work

This document package also includes the following template documents:

• Applicant Information Template (Annex #1)
• Technical Approach Template (Annex #2)
• Management Plan Template (Annex #3)
• Work Plan Template (Annex #4)
• Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement (Annex #5)
• Sub-Recipient Information (Annex #6)
• Budget Template (Annex #7)

Each successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the programme objectives in any of the governorates of Iraq

Mercy Corps intends to allocate a total pool of (29,040,000) IQD for four sub-award partners in any governorate in Iraq for activities to be implemented between Feb, 2025 – May, 2025 in any governorate in Iraq. Mercy Corps reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted. In the case one partner is identified, who is in the position to work in multiple geographies, Mercy Corps reserves the right to reduce the number of sub-awards and to change the value of the sub-awards.

To be eligible for the award, Applicants must provide all required information in their application, including the requirements found in any attachments to this RFA and must meet the eligibility criteria stated in SECTION  E. Applications that are submitted late, incomplete or non-responsive will not be considered. Awards will be made to the responsible applicants whose application best meets the requirements of this RFA and the evaluation criteria contained herein. 

Mercy Corps requires that applications be submitted electronically (e-mailed) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than the 4th of January 2025 at 4:00 PM.

Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of Mercy Corps, nor does it commit Mercy Corps to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application. Further, Mercy Corps reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. Applications are submitted at the risk of the Applicant, and all preparation and submission costs are at the Applicant’s own expense.

Sincerely,

Tender’s Files

6763df4573c39-1.annex-1-applicant-information-form.docx
6763df457427e-2.-annex-2-technical-application-form-narrative-.docx
6763df45743a9-3.-annex-3-management-plan.docx
6763df45744ac-4.-workplan.xlsx
6763df4574561-5.-annex-5-sfmmform8.3b-subrecipientconflictofinterestdisclosurestatement-3-.docx
6763df45745f3-7.-annex-7-budget-template.xlsx
6763df4574758-annex-6-sfmmform8.3a-subrecipientinformationform.xlsx
6763df4574937-request-for-application-mciq-csrf.docx