MEPI Announces $1.8 Million Program to Support Women Leaders in the Middle East

July 18, 2008

The Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State released on June 17 a request for applications (RFA) for the Women Leaders Program.  This program will award up to $1.8 million over the span of two years, continuing MEPI’s commitment to support the prosperity and advancement of women in the Middle East and North Africa.  This MEPI program seeks to strengthen women leaders as they advance their human rights, legal status, political participation, and economic empowerment.

Recognizing not only the improvement in women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa in recent years, but also that there is still much that needs to be done to provide greater opportunity and freedom for women of the region, MEPI’s announcement provides an opportunity for organizations to present ideas for innovative programs on women’s issues or that creatively build upon existing activities benefiting women in the region. 

MEPI encourages submissions from organizations with functional and regional experience in the areas of women’s empowerment, civil society strengthening, and leadership development.  Any U.S. or foreign non-governmental organization; U.S. or foreign private institutions; or commercial entities are eligible to apply.   

For full information about the MEPI Women Leaders Program RFA, please visit the link http://mepi.state.gov/107040.htm.