United States Government launched the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program this year through the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State. The program has been established “to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).” NGOs and other civil society organizations have been closely engaged to implement projects towards the achievements of the goals. So far, more than 250 organizations in the region have received financial assistance to “advance reform in their home countries.” Recently, it had announced a funding opportunity for NGOs in the region to pilot social networking amongst youths in the region through the innovative use of communication technologies such as the internet and the mobile platform.
The program has also been providing grant support to civil society organizations in rich countries like Kuwait. Both large and small grants have been allocated to local NGOs for “strengthening civil society, empowering women and youth, and supporting education and economic reform.” To a question as to why MEPI is offering grants to the oil-rich country, Katharina Gollner-Sweet, Public Affairs Officer, in the US Embassy in Kuwait responded that “MEPI supports programs in countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, regardless of income. The reason we provide this partnership is to support the values that our societies share. The benefit that MEPI sees in funding organizations throughout the MENA region is that countries with strong civil society institutions, women’s rights, and robust educational and economic sectors can better advance peace, prosperity and stability in the region.”
18 October 2009
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