MEPI TLS Students Karim and Lea Win 2nd Place in Unilever’s Uniway Competition with Inclusive Morning Kit Idea

Karim Ghamrawi and Lea Habr, MEPI TLS students at LAU Byblos Campus, participated in Unilever’s Uniway competition where they presented their idea for an inclusive morning kit that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity. The campaign aimed to involve women from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, including women in STEM, disabled women, hijabi women, and children. The …

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Small Construction and Engineering Businesses in Morocco Receive Support from MEPI and NEF

The Al-Rawabet project promotes the growth of high-potential companies and invests in the  development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Safi-Marrakech region, with funding from  the United States Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). A new public private partnership (PPP) in Safi, Morocco started through Al-Rawabet is providing opportunities  for young entrepreneurs to …

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Hub Créatif and MEPI’s Support for Al-Rawabet in Morocco

In the Marrakech-Safi region of Morocco, many resources are available to entrepreneurs, but businesses weren’t working together or coordinating to influence policy. The Al-Rawabet project, funded by the United States Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), takes an entirely new approach to the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the  region. Through Al-Rawabet, …

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The Debut of the “My TL Story” Contest

MEPI Tomorrow’s Leaders program has recently launched, for the first time, the “My TL story” contest across the top three leading universities in the Middle East; the Lebanese American University, The American University of Beirut and the American University of Cairo. The contest invited current TL undergraduate students to share their experiences during the TL …

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MEPI Project Helps Employ About 100 Participants

Cenacle de La Lumière (CDLL) completed their two-year MEPI funded project “Back into Community (BiC)” focusing on improving the lives and economic prospects of 125 women and youth in Lebanon, specifically in Keserwan, Jbeil and Metn. Working with local companies, CDLL succeeded in empowering and strengthening 125 vulnerable women and youth through extensive trainings and …

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LDF Fellows Meet With Lebanese President to Discuss Critical Regional Issues

It’s not every day that young people have the opportunity to talk with global leaders about critical issues. But on October 2, a group of young professionals from across the Middle East and North Africa met with Lebanese President General Michel Aoun and other Lebanese officials to discuss political, social, and economic issues affecting the …

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Recruitment for 2019 MEPI Student Leaders Program Is Now Open

The U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program seeks nominations for potential participants in the MEPI Student Leaders Program scheduled to take place in summer 2019. The program will last from June 26 – July 31, 2019. This program is open to university students between the ages of 20 and 24. We seek …

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Voter Education for the Municipal Elections Started in Mahdia, Tunisia, Thanks to the TIDD MEPI Funded Project

In the framework of its Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funded project, the Tunisian Institute for Democracy and Development (TIDD) conducted its first voter outreach campaign in Mahdia on March 22.  The event gathered volunteers from the governorates of Beja, Kef, Seliana, Jendouba, Bizerte and Mahdia in Tunisia.  The activity took place in the medina …

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We Youth Launched its MEPI Voter Education Campaign in Sfax, Tunisia

Thank you to the WeYouth team for their great work in launching the voter education campaign on March 21 in Sfax, Tunisia.  Through its Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funded project, We Youth organized a field outreach activity in the Medina of Sfax to raise citizens’ awareness of the importance of participation in the upcoming …

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Successful Completion of U.S. Workshop to Help Palestinian Entrepreneurs Flourish

JERUSALEM – October 25th marked the successful completion of a U.S. Consulate General-sponsored workshop to build a better ecosystem for innovation in the West Bank.  Co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the workshop convened American experts and Palestinian entrepreneurs, academics, business leaders, and government stakeholders to identify policy and regulatory reforms that will help …

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Moroccan Youth Awarded Small Business Grants in the Highly Competitive Machrou3i DreamUp Competition

Over 260 youth applied to participate in the DreamUp competition in El Jadida and Safi. Forty selected youth participated in training and coaching events organized by the Machrou3i incubators, a project funded by MEPI that provides support and coaching to youth entrepreneurs, to develop their business plans. In the final competition, the top ten selected youth presented their innovative projects …

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Tunisian Presidency Welcomes Exchange Alumni

On August 30, a group of Tunisian State Department exchange program alumni were joined by Ambassador Rubinstein and embassy staff in a meeting with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi and his Youth and Diplomacy Advisors at the Presidential Palace.  During this meeting, alumni shared the results of their experiences in the United States on a …

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Building the Business Leadership of Jordan’s Women Farmers

MEPI grantee Specific Union for Women Farmers (SUWF) initiated the “Building the Business Leadership of Jordan’s Women Farmers” project by conducting a needs assessment to identify the training needs of 500 female farmers who own businesses. SUWF then selected 120 female participants and contacted a consultant to prepare the training material, which will be delivered …

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The 10th EFE Graduation Ceremony Celebrated the Placement of 288 Tunisians in 7 Companies

On July 12, Education for Employment concluded its MEPI funded project entitled “Supporting Civic Responsibility and Private Sector Job Creation in Tunisia” with its 10th graduation ceremony to celebrate the graduation of 288 Tunisians who were placed in jobs in seven enterprises.  CDA Benjamin Moeling had the opportunity to meet with some of the graduates and …

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Improve Tourism Etiquette MEPI-funded Project Concluded with 49 Jobseekers Hired

Les Grandes Ecoles de Communication (GEC) held the closing ceremony of the “Improve Tourism Etiquette” #MEPI funded project on June 29.  The project aims to improve customer service, communication soft skills, and tourism work etiquette in 100 degree-holding candidates seeking employment from 5 different cities (Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse, Jerba, and Tozeur).  The project also included …

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We Asked, They Answered! This Is Why These Advisors Work With MEPI Exchange Students

Georgetown University Christopher Shirley, Project Director, has been working on the program 13 years, and every year he feels a profound sense of having his heart touched by 120 students working so hard at making the world better. Chantal Santalices, Director of the Center for Intercultural Education and Development, finds joy working with the international …

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Youth Entrepreneurship Advocacy- Aventures d’Entrepreneurs

In April 2017, for the third edition of Aventures d’Entrepreneurs, Reseau Entreprendre Tunisie (RET) conducted a survey of over 160 Tunisian women entrepreneurs to highlight the real challenges and pitfalls faced by women entrepreneurs across the country. A position paper summarizing key results and presenting relevant recommendations was developed. On May 17th, RET organized a panel at Cogite …

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Immersion Training with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Limoges, France

As part of its capacity building effort for Tunisia’s regional Chambers of Commerce, the MEPI-funded Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations Customized Assistance Program (CBACAP), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Limoges- France, organized an immersion training for Tunisian Chambers’ managers within the Chamber of Limoges premises. Sixteen export assistance and support services managers from eight Tunisian Chambers of …

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MEPI Supports Chambers of Commerce and Youth Entrepreneurship Organizations

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) – funded Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations Customized Assistance Program (CBACAP), implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP, has made strides in building the capacities of eight Tunisian Chambers of Commerce and three youth economic organizations over the past four years. The mission of the program is to drive inclusive, …

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Lebanese Culinary Consortium Builds U.S. Trade Ties

Press Release 23 June 2017 Lebanese Culinary Consortium Builds U.S. Trade Ties Fair Trade Lebanon (FTL), a U.S.-funded consortium of hundreds of agro-producers and farmers from marginalized communities in Lebanon, made its American debut at a June 22 event showcasing authentic Lebanese food products for U.S. vendors. Supported through a $2.9 million grant funded by …

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Entrepreneurship and Employment Day For Youth

As part of the Empowering Youth through Entrepreneurship in Morocco (EYEM) project, funded by the US Department of State / Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Near East Foundation (NEF) cosponsored a day on “Entrepreneurship and Employment for Youth: A Common Challenge” on February 15, 2017 at the National School for Applied Sciences (ENSA) in Safi. Similar to the …

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Fair Trade Lebanon (FTL) Fabulous Food Feast

Buoyed by unseasonably cool weather and overcast skies, MEPI partner Fair Trade Lebanon held its sixth annual “World Fair Trade Day” on May 21 at the St. George’s Convent in Roumieh, Lebanon. Several hundred food fans feasted on offerings provided by members of the 22 women-led cooperatives and small businesses that are the beneficiaries of …

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Closing Ceremony of the MEPI Funded Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program at AUB

The 2017 Leaders for Democracy Fellowship (LDF) Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Program and implemented in Lebanon by World Learning in collaboration with the American University of Beirut (AUB), held its closing ceremony on Friday, May 19, 2017 from 11:00am until 1:00pm. The closing ceremony took place …

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MEPI Announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Entrepreneurship Projects in MENA

The Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), a program within the Bureau of Near East Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC), announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for projects designed to assist entrepreneurs seeking to expand and grow their businesses and activities. The NOFO will close on June 6, 2017. For more information on …

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MEPI Supports Women Entrepreneurs in West Bank

On March 22, 2017 the MEPI Administrator attended the training session which was conducted by Nisaa FM in cooperation with Bank of Palestine and funded by MEPI through a local grant entitled “Aswaq “on marketing skills. Several Women Entrepreneurs from all over West Bank participated and were able to present their small business ideas and …

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U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard Encourages Civic Activism.

To conclude her keynote address at the February 4 closing ceremony of MEPI LAA’s “NGOs are Stronger Together Project,” U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard urged the 190 attendees to rally their fellow citizens and vote in the May 2017 parliamentary elections – Lebanon’s first parliamentary elections in eight years. She asked that civil society mobilize, in particular, …

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MEPI Launches 2017 Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program

The February-May 2017 MEPI-funded Leaders for Democracy Fellowship (LDF) Arabic Program was officially launched on February 20. Implemented in Lebanon by World Learning in collaboration with the American University of Beirut (AUB), this year’s program attracted 22 Fellows from nine MENA countries. Dr. Hassan Diab, AUB Vice President of the Regional External Programs, welcomed the 22 Fellows to the AUB …

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Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein’s Remarks at MEPI Student Leaders Regional Conference

Thank you Bedis for the warm welcome and introduction; My thanks as well to the GOT officials who are here, Majdouline Cherni Minister of Youth and Sports, and Saida Ounissi, Secretary of State in charge of Vocational Training and Entrepreneurship And to the facilitators, mentors, university partners and Georgetown for coordinating this event; Good afternoon …

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BBC Media Action Started Filming

The MEPI team visited the BBC Media Action office in Ramallah on February 9 to visit the staff and screen a few episodes of the MEPI-funded project, Khaleena Nitfaham (‘Let’s Get Along’). The project spans over 20 months and aims to design, develop and distribute an innovative, inclusive and participatory TV social drama. Created by …

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Educating for Peace

Civic Education Workshop: On January 18, CSO Paradis D’enfants completed its third civic education workshop under the “Educating for Peace” MEPI-funded project. Some 36 teachers, social workers, psychologists from five different schools attended. Notwithstanding their cultural diversities, the participants were able to find commonalities among their different cultural backgrounds in order to start their discussions. The …

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CorpsAfrica/Maroc, a MEPI Success Story

Learning from the PeaceCorps model, CorpsAfrica launched a new model for Moroccan volunteers to help their own communities – particularly challenging when the culture of volunteerism is not that pervasive. MEPI has been a key partner to helping CorpsAfrica get started and established. Now in its third year of operations, CorpsAfrica’s project “Volunteerism and Community …

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Entrepreneurship & Employment Day For Youth

As part of the Empowering Youth through Entrepreneurship in Morocco (EYEM) project, funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Near East Foundation (NEF) cosponsored a day on “Entrepreneurship and Employment for Youth: A Common Challenge” on February 15, 2017 at the National School for Applied Sciences (ENSA) in Safi. Similar to the event …

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