With the support of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Campaign Schools program tailored its global practices to the post-Arab Spring context in the Middle East and North Africa to help potential election campaign managers and candidates build strategies using tested techniques. From 2012 to 2017, NDI trained 430 potential …
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Ashraf Sabkha, a 2015 graduate of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate Program from the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), recently became the first Libyan Knight-Hennesy Scholar at Stanford University. Under the Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship, Sabkha received leadership training and support, graduating summa cum laude from the American University in Cairo with a …
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For many alumni of the MEPI exchange programs, their experience itself was fulfilling on the academic or civic level and it also helped them unlock a fortune of opportunities in the years that followed. Mondher Tounsi from Tunisia says that the Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship allowed him to explore his passion for politics while helping him …
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With assistance from a MEPI Leaders Grant, Nora Chaynane, a 2019 alumna of the MEPI Student Leaders Program (SLP), successfully trained 50 participants from 10 different regions of Morocco to leverage technology and innovation in rapidly changing environments. Through her Shine Space Smart Sustainable Solutions (S.5 Project) initiative, Nora received a small grant from the …
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Dakhla offers many advantages and opportunities for businesses, including a transport hub with links to Europe and Africa, excellent infrastructure, quality human resources, and exceptional nature and weather conditions. However, business opportunities in Dakhla are little known, and local businesses are not well connected. MEPI’s “Promoting Economic Opportunity in Dakhla and Laayoune” project has helped …
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Mohammad Aljilani participated in the MEPI Student Leaders Program (SLP) at Portland State University in the summer of 2019 where he studied conflict resolution, leadership, democracy, and U.S institutions. Mohammad believes in the power of diversity and describes the lessons learned with the Student Leaders Program as “a new lifestyle”. He shares that, “I have …
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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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In the Marrakech-Safi region of Morocco, many resources are available to entrepreneurs, but they 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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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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Omar Itani, MEPI Student Leaders 2016 alumnus, began his entrepreneurial career in the startup world. With his schoolmates, he established his first startup, VISIO, an initiative specialized in waste management and recycling. VISIO won the 2012 INJAZ company program and the Best Social Impact Award in the Regional Competition for Arab Young Entrepreneurs in Doha-Qatar. …
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The MEPI-TL scholarship program helps to cultivate academic and leadership skills to underserved students in the MENA region. These students then use the knowledge and skills they gain to take leading roles in serving their community on many fronts, including academia, economy, civil society, policy, healthcare, research among others. One example of an inspiring TL …
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As young as eighteen years old, Danya Arayssi (SLP 2018, Lebanon) recognized many of her community’s challenges. Through accounts she heard about women being silenced by cultural norms, traditions, and values, Danya knew that her passion lied in empowering women. Danya explains, “They are silenced to denounce a continuous yet traumatic daily abuse and human …
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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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Nasser al-Tooblani graduated from MEPI’s Tomorrow’s Leaders program at LAU in the spring of 2020 with a BA in Psychology and received High Distinction. Suffering from diabetes since he was two years old, Nasser has consistently struggled with diabetes self-management throughout his life. In his capstone project « Bloom », Nasser came up with the …
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Ghufran Ashor, a MEPI’s Tomorrow’s Leaders LAU alumna from Libya, graduated in Spring 2019 and began her search for the right post-graduation job. She sought a role that would serve purpose and allow her to make a difference. After an excessive job search, Ashor landed a job that matched her skills and aspirations perfectly. In …
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Salaam Halila, Tunisian MEPI TL Alumna from LAU, excelled as a communication major during the program and used the skills she acquired to create two successful awareness campaigns surrounding mental health and promoting cultural differences in Arab society. In March 2019, while in her junior year, Salaam launched “Bil Hawa Sawa” (We are all in …
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Censorship and the spread of fake news remain two of the main challenges that media and journalism face in Tunisia. Tunisian journalists are continuously working to alleviate these challenges and improve the sector. To help solve these challenges, MEPI’s Leadership Development Fellowship (LDF) program Alumna Ahed Jamaoui created Media Impact +, a project for training local …
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After participating in MEPI’s Student Leaders Program Mohammed Taoufik, felt compelled to find a solution to the high crime and drug rates that he saw in the youth in his community in Casablanca. He created a public awareness and support campaign to showcase the positive impact building a youth soccer field would have on the …
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Jesser Azarka is an Arab village just north of the wealthy resort town of Caesarea . With 14,000 residents, 60% of whom are living below poverty line, Jesser faces rising violence, but the community is committed to making things better. Via a MEPI-supported project led by Tel Aviv University (TAU), several groups of women in the …
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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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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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Unleash Tunisia was a one-year advocacy project promoting entrepreneurship, business skills and a “startup mentality” all around Tunisia. MEPI partnered with a nascent organization “Young Leaders Entrepreneurs” to realize the following outcomes : During 5 tours, trained 150 participants with diverse backgrounds and gender. Created 40+ partnerships with local NGOs, universities, accelerators and coworking spaces. …
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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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MEPI Alum Abbas Sibai (Leaders for Democracy (LDF) U.S. Program, 2013) has launched “Live Love Volunteer,” which leverages the popular Live Love social media accounts to promote volunteerism in Lebanon. Live Love Volunteer’s next activity is a trash clean up day at Lebanon’s Kfarhelda waterfalls on September 16. Abbas co-founded the “Live Love Beirut” social …
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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 2018. The program will last from June 25 – August 4, 2018. The Student Leaders program is an intensive 5-week training program in four U.S.-based universities for …
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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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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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After their pre-departure orientation in Tunis, the group of young Libyans who were selected to participate in the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Student Leaders Program traveled to the United States. After orientation in Washington, DC, they were placed at various universities in the United States to participate in the program on leadership development and …
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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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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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The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) announces a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at promoting social and private entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by partnering with its Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) alumni. Alumni networks can be effective social networks that generate both a …
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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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While still in its early development stage, Morocco’s startup ecosystem has the potential to reinvigorate the small business environment and reduce the 40 percent youth unemployment rate. In 2013, Start Up Your Life, a non-profit organization with the mission of helping early and seed startups grow and turn into high-potential businesses, operates at the “seed” …
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The Libya media landscape continues to experience polarization, lack of press freedom, and insufficient employment opportunities for new graduates. The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)’s MEPI-funded Media Lab within the University of Tripoli has worked to tackle these issues by providing practical media skills training to over 1,200 journalism students, including more than 300 …
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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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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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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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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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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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Yasmina Zaz is a twenty-years-old from Safi, deaf and only able to communicate through sign, Yasmina nevertheless did not give up and continued vocational training as a beautician. But despite her diploma and experience, she was unable to find a job and earn an income. “For a long time, I felt that opening my own business was an unrealistic dream,” Yasmina said. “But …
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Malika, a widow and a mother of six, is a beneficiary of the EYEM project from Moulay Abdellah. She is a proactive woman, driven by her strong will and self-confidence, which allowed her to capitalize on her five years of experience as a cook to create her own snack-bar. “The EYEM grant helped me to buy the necessary …
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Yassine Khalfaoui, a 32-year-old nurse from Safi, dreamed of opening his own pharmaceutical shop to provide high quality services in Safi. Yassine graduated from the Canadian school, Diana of the Polyvalent Nurse in Safi in 2010. He then undertook various internships at Mohamed 5 Hospital, the Nour Clinics surgical unit, and at different clinicsthat helped him gain skills. Through the Scouts Association of …
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On April 11, 2017, The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) grantee L’Heure Joyeuse hosted a roundtable event on the theme “Insertion and Entrepreneurship for Youth in Difficult Situations: Issues and Prospects,” in which EconOff Okocha spoke on the promising collaboration between the two entities. The panel included L’Heure Joyeuse members, entrepreneurs, and enablers in entrepreneurship. …
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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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In February 2017, Abolish Article 153 organized successful training on “Gender violence training for youth and live theater production workshop in Kuwait”, 13 participants under the age of 21 (2 males and 11 females) benefited from the training. The organization plans to conduct series of trainings target young Kuwaiti activists and leaders to educate them …
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A group of the 2016 MEPI Student Leaders alumni participated today in a meeting with the Chief of Staff and Directors Generals at the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports. Following the MEPI Capstone conference organized in Tunis last March 2017, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Ms. Majdouline Cherni, offered her Ministry’s support for the …
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In your opinion, what is the most powerful tool that can be used in the 21st century to overcome the challenges that humanity is facing today and to help nations grow? Let me tell you that the answer is education, sciences, and arts, but more important it is the digital and communication technologies. In Tunisia, where we are …
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My name is Safa Yahia and I am a 27 year old engineering graduate from Gabes. My story began on January when I applied for the “I Have a Project” Program. I was selected as one of the 25 finalists which allowed me to participate in the program. Because of my participation in the program, I gained a special …
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My name is Yosra Abidi, 25 years old, and I am from the beautiful region of Kef. I study at the Higher Institute for Languages of Tunis (ISLT). I am currently on my third and final year studying English Language, Literature and Civilization. I am very active in my society. I am a member in a variety of …
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I am Rafiaa Boujbel, IT consultant with Tim Consulting and a Ph.D. candidate in Telecommunication Networks at Munich University of Applied Sciences. I would like to share my Education for Employment (EFE) experience with you. This experience started with an online application that I became aware of through the EFE website. After the selection process, I became a finalist …
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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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The advent of the Tunisian revolution has brought about renewed interest among citizens about how they can play a greater role in holding their government accountable. They often lack the knowledge, however, about the tools and resources at their disposal to do so. The Tunisian Association of Public Auditors (Association Tunisienne des Contrôleurs Publics, or …
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Kamal Riad a 31-year-old doctor from Casablanca, dreamed of opening his own medical center and providing high quality services—particularly in underserved rural areas—while in medical school. After graduating from the University of Casablanca’s Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2012, Kamal held positions with La Samir Company in Mohammedia and OCP Group in El Jadida providing …
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Malika was born and brought up in Midelt, a small town in the high plains of central Morocco. Without access to a school after her primary years, Malika was unable to continue her education and began studying sewing, as it did not require fluency in French. After a year of professional training in sewing in Tangier, Malika undertook an internship and …
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Hajar Addani grew up in Khouribga City and El Jadida, Morocco where she studied computer science in college and excelled in her program. In 2015, Hajar was accepted to the US Diversity Visa Lottery Program—a program that grants eligible candidates a chance to legally immigrate to the United States to live and work. Hajar believed that the opportunity would be life changing …
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Farah Souimtou is an expert tailor who for years dreamed of opening her own business. After earning a diploma in tailoring from a private tailoring school in Safi in 2004, she remained on as a trainer for 12 more years. Now at age 32 and the mother of a four year old son, Farah wants to build something on her …
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Said Grilou from Safi, Morroco, worked in several different technology companies after receiving a degree in computer science from the Specialized Institute of Applied Technology (ISTA) in 2012. In an effort to put all he had learned at ISTA into practice and truly utilize his degree, 29-year-old Said decided to start his own business repairing and selling computers and other similar …
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Imad Elmarkchi immigrated to Libya to work as a laborer in construction and landscaping, hopeful to provide better economic opportunities for his family. With the revolution in Libya, he had to return to his family in Morocco still in a difficult financial situation and in search of a better way of life. After his experience in Libya, Imad wanted to …
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Hayat Bachak is a 26-year-old kinesiotherapist from El Jadida, Morocco—and now also an entrepreneur, running her own clinic to help patients of all ages manage pain, facilitate recovery, and prevent disease. The youngest of seven children, Hayat graduated with a degree in Kinesiotherapy from the Institute of Technology and Auxiliary and Multi-Purpose Nurses (ITIAP) in El Jadida in 2013. While in school, Hayat …
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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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On March 2, 2017 the MEPI Officer participated in a Bethlehem Town Hall Meeting which focused on education issues in the Palestinian school system. The town hall was part of a MEPI-funded grant with Arab World Democracy and Electoral Monitor (Al-Marsad) entitled “Civic Youth Engagement.” The goal of the project is for Al-Marsad to empower …
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Two of the Tunisian entrepreneurs present at GES 2016, Beyram Belhaj Amor of Simple Expert and Ryadh Bouslama of Pinhole, are part of TAYP’s Regional Initiative to Support Entrepreneurship (implemented by RISE- a diaspora mentoring program aimed at assisting a select group of Tunisian entrepreneurs to access United States markets), a program funded by the Middle East Partnership …
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The Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations Customized Assistance Program (CBACAP), funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP, has made strides in building the capacities of eight Tunisian Chambers of Commerce (CoCs) and three youth entrepreneurship organizations over the past three years. The mission of the program is to drive inclusive economic development through increased competitiveness, business …
Read More» 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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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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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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Yes, we have a brand new website! Have a look around! The new-look website has seven sections representing broad topics that may be of interest to you. The sections are broken down further into sub-categories to assist you in finding specific information. The Seven Sections are: About MEPI – For all your questions regarding the U.S.-Middle East …
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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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On February 2, MEPI attended advocacy training in Ramallah as part of the MEPI-funded Internews Network project, Supporting Civic Engagement and National Dialogue through Independent Palestinian Media. The project works with local civil society organizations, journalists and media to establish strong, independent media that includes a diversity of voices, supports inclusive political processes, and incorporates …
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During January 2017 “JEST for Entrepreneurship and Development “a MEPI Local Grantee started a series of Leadership and Entrepreneurship workshops as part of the MEPI funded project entitled “Jerusalem Organic Youth (JOY) “. This project aims to inspire the new generation in East Jerusalem about leadership, entrepreneurship and coding, which are topics not tackled in …
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Espace Al Hayat Pour l’Insertion Sociale is a Rabat based NGO that works on social development and economic inclusion. MEPI helped Al Hayat set up a computer lab, sewing classrooms, and equipped the center with gardening and electricity tools. They also trained 100 youth in gardening, plumbing, electricity skills and in computer science and are currently …
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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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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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