The APS invites organizations with relevant capacity and experience to submit proposals which will conserve, preserve and promote more effective management of EgyptÂ’s cultural heritage resources with the aim of enhancing cultural tourism potential.

Applicants are encouraged to propose

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innovative approaches to build linkages between local businesses, affected communities and tourism.

Given the downturn in the economy applicants should also give priority to generating employment in communities near targeted sites.

This APS is part of the Sustainable Investment in Tourism in Egypt project (SITE).

The SITE project is designed to improve management, conservation and promotion of heritage, to draw economic benefits from tourism development via a focus on cultural tourism promotion and to build capacity among tourism industry employees.

Subject to the availability of funds, a total of up to 165 million Egyptian Pounds (EGP) are expected to be available to support activities under this APS.

USAID/Egypt retains the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted in response to this APS.

Funds under this APS are available to support short-term response programs (generally with duration up to twelve months) as well as longer-term programs (generally with duration from twelve months up to 42 months).

It is expected that EGP grants provided through this mechanism will range in value from 2. 13 million to a maximum of 6 3. 9 million EGP.

USAID reserves the right to award grants in excess of these limits in certain situations depending on the grant timeframe, the applicantÂ’s institutional capacity, the geographic scope of the proposed program, and the type and extent of partnership or other teaming arrangements that are proposed.

To the extent that U.

S.

dollars are required to fund any part of a proposal, organizations should state the need in their applications and propose how they plan to convert the EGP into U.

S.

dollars.

Applicants must provide the reasons and justification for the dollars and what it will cost for the conversion.

USAID/Egypt anticipates making up to 10 grants through this APS.

If additional funding becomes available, an amendment to this APS could be issued to fund additional activities.