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. Panel members shared their personal struggles with entrepreneurial endeavors, addressed major obstacles Moroccan youth confront during the startup stage, and advised youth in difficult situations on overcoming setbacks. 
The panel emphasized the critical need for young entrepreneurs to build their network and seek mentorship. One panel member noted that, through networks, young entrepreneurs are better positioned to access grants and programming opportunities through initiatives like MEPI. After the discussion, L’Heure Joyeuse facilitated workshops for the entrepreneurs on the different stages of entrepreneurship and developing one’s CV.
