MEPI advances direct deliberative citizen engagement with decision-makers and processes. Broader citizen participation in governance ensures inclusive decision-making and transparent political processes, promotes stability, and enhances citizen confidence in government. MEPI empowers citizens and civil society to effectively engage with their government at the local, national, and regional level, helping them participate in decision-making and expanding access to opportunities and resources. MEPI supports government officials’ efforts to increase their engagement and responsiveness to resolve citizen concerns.

1. Increase civic engagement to foster partnership and mutually beneficial dialogue with civil society and public officials at the local, national, and regional level.
2. Strengthen individuals, including youth and those from underserved communities, with knowledge and skills to advocate for their interests at all levels of government. Promote regional collaboration, support, and information-sharing.
3. Utilize MEPI leadership training programs to provide economically disadvantaged individuals, including from marginalized and minority groups, the opportunities to build their leadership skills to effectively engage with civil society, the private sector, and/or government actors. Participants in select programs will be required to participate in gender studies.
4. Professionalize civil society organizations and build their organizational and communication capacity to connect effectively with decision makers and/or citizens. Provide opportunities for regional networking, collaboration, and information sharing.
5. Strengthen civil society’s ability to act as a credible mediator between governments and citizens, and channel citizens’ concerns in an effective manner.
6. Enhance governments’ efforts to be representative of, responsive to, and trusted by their citizens.
7. Support governments’ efforts to increase their transparency, access, and accountability. Provide opportunities for regional networking, collaboration, and information sharing.
8. Increase women’s representation in government institutions and promote their civic and political participation. Build racial and gender equality into programming at all levels.

Economic opportunity and reforms are cornerstones for fostering partnership between citizens, civil society, the private sector, and governments. MEPI partners with the U.S. private sector to promote business-enabling environments, entrepreneurship, and a skilled labor force in the NEA region.

1. Improve business-enabling environments through economic reform, especially in higher-income and non-traditional development countries.
2. Support government efforts to increase financial transparency and implement economic reforms.
3. Improve government policies and procedures that expand opportunities for entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly from marginalized groups, for economic growth and job creation.
4. Bolster social entrepreneurship initiatives that advance solutions to social issues and facilitate their collaboration with civil society and governments. Provide opportunities for regional networking and collaboration.
5. Leverage American diversity to create institutions and craft regulations that encourage broad-based economic growth.
6. Increase workforce employability and skill level among citizens – including youth and those from underserved communities – and access higher value opportunities through demand-driven vocational training and job placement, primarily in the private sector.
7. Promote economic growth through increasing youth and women’s participation (particularly from underserved communities) in economic activities and reducing the gender income and employment gap.
8. Pilot projects in emerging markets which diversify the economy to create jobs while reducing vulnerability to external shocks such as changes in commodities markets or the COVID-19 pandemic.