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 ... Read More»
Dakhla Connect Provides a Platform for Economic Growth in the MENA Region
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 ... Read More»
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 ... Read More»
MEPI and NEF Help to Make Start-up Ideas Come to Life in Morocco
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, ... Read More»
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, ... Read More»
MEPI Alumnus Creates a Safe Space for Hundreds of Youth in His Hometown in Casablanca, Morocco.
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 ... Read More»
MEPI-funded Project Places Hundreds of Youth in Jobs in Morocco
This video summarizes the program MEPI-funded “Demand-Driven Skills Training for Youth Employment in Morocco” implemented by EFE-Maroc in the Fes-Meknes region. Under the project, EFE-Maroc trained more than 600 youth in job search techniques and demand-driven soft skills and placed 135 youth in jobs. Read More»
With MEPI’s Support, Morocco Joins the Open Government Partnership
On April 26, The Kingdom of Morocco joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) , an international initiative that secures commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. Through a partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, MEPI supported the Moroccan government’s initiative to establish and implement a National Action ... Read More»
MEPI Alumnus Spreads Message of Tolerance, Coexistence, and Diversity across Morocco
As a dedicated advocate for peace building and conflict resolution, Hicham El Hadad is actively working to build the bridge of communication between youth and local officials in his community to address and find solutions to problems affecting youth in Northern Morocco. Since he returned from the Student Leaders program funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) in 2014, Hicham has used ... Read More»
MEPI Announces Call for Proposals for Its Regional Assistance Program 2 (RAP 2)
RAP 2 is a grants and technical assistance mechanism to strengthen civil society organizations and support civil society actors working towards social and political engagement in the Middle East and North Africa. RAP 2 is funded by the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and is being implemented by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). ... Read More»
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 ... Read More»
Morocco’s Entrepreneurship Startup Ecosystem Blossoms
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” ... Read More»
MEPI Grantee Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Entrepreneurial Struggles
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. ... Read More»
MEPI Helps Entrepreneur Overcome Challenges to Grow Successful Salon
Khadija Elhammal, a 35-year-old hairstylist and makeup artist from Safi, Morocco, knew launching her own salon would come with its challenges. But with her determination and support from the Empowering Youth through Entrepreneurship in Morocco (EYEM) team, Khadija successfully opened her own salon. Khadija received a diploma in hairstyling and aesthetics from the National Initiative ... Read More»
MEPI Beneficiary Launches Medical Center to Improve Healthcare in Morocco
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 ... Read More»
Young Woman’s Successful Business Helps Her Return to School
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 ... Read More»
With MEPI’s Help, Farah Realizes Her Dream and Opens Her Own Tailoring Shop
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 ... Read More»
Said Takes Computer Repair into His Own Hands
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 ... Read More»
Returned from Libya, an Artist Finds Success at Home Thanks to MEPI
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 ... Read More»
Moroccan Youth Launches Kinesiotherapy Clinic in El Jadida
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 ... Read More»
MEPI Supports Long-term Economic Growth in Morocco
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 ... Read More»
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 ... Read More»
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