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MEPI in Morocco
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MEPI in Morocco
The following lists ongoing and completed programs in Morocco, as well as providing a link to Regional Programs, where an organization is working in two or more countries simultaneously. Wherever possible, we have provided a link to the organization’s home page. Ongoing ProgramsThe following programs are specific to Morocco (unless otherwise identified). [MEPI reform pillars are listed parentheses]. Academy for Educational Development (AED) Functional Literacy for Women [Women, Education] – this program is providing up to $2 million to U.S. private voluntary organizations (PVOs) and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in literacy training in Morocco. The funding assists the Government’s Secretariat for Literacy in developing literacy training materials that convey in a simple way the concepts of the family code. Zagora Women’s Technology Project [Economic, Women] – this program strengthens women’s effective participation in society by providing local NGOs with skills in computer technology, economic knowledge toward obtaining professional careers, and the ability to train other members both in their NGOs and other local organizations. Through this project, 40 women from 20 NGOs in an underserved region of Morocco will receive a variety of training intended to build their skills and teach them to train others, so as to create a multiplier effect that can spread key reforms across a much wider segment of society. G-8 BMENA Entrepreneurship Center [Economic] – Announced during the first Forum for the Future, held in Rabat in 2004, plans are underway to establish one of two Entrepreneurship Centers (the second launched in late 2005 in Bahrain) in Morocco, partnering with Al Akhawayn University. Customs Bureau; Homeland Security MEFTA Assistance [Economic] – the U.S. Customs Bureau and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are providing technical assistance to the Moroccan and Bahraini governments to help them implement a customs regime in compliance with their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) obligations.
English In A Box [Education] – this program, led by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, provides a collection of up-to-date print and electronic materials suitable for use by Arab middle school teachers of English in Morocco and Jordan. English in a Box, featuring both USG-produced and commercial items, is designed to make English language classes lively and productive. Materials help teachers reinforce independent and critical thinking, encourage participation and debate, and develop students' problem solving and decision-making skills.
MEFTA Assistance [Economic] – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing technical assistance to Morocco and Bahrain to increase their capacity to comply with their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) obligations in the area of good domestic environmental governance. This program includes ensuring effective environmental legal and enforcement regimes, public participation, integrated environmental impact assessment decision making processes, access to information and justice, increased transparency, effective measures to combat corruption in the environmental sector, and the capacity to measure the effectiveness of environmental laws and enforcement programs. Partnership for Financial Excellence II [Economic] – In Morocco, FSVC has established an office and is conducting a series of workshops with the commercial banking sector to improve risk management and SME access to finance. Additional projects are being conducted with the Central Bank of Morocco to modernize commercial bank supervision and regulation, and with the Casablanca Stock Market to improve operations and pension fund management. In addition, the U.S. Department of Treasury, in an effort to combat money laundering, will be sending an advisor periodically to work with the Moroccan Central Bank. Women's Legal Rights [Women, Democracy] – this program is training NGOs to educate Moroccan women on their legal rights and how to advocate for them, with a particular focus on the new family code, the Moudawana. As of March 2005, more than 200 human rights education training seminars have been held for illiterate women throughout Morocco. A women's human rights resource center was operating and expanding, with more than 1,450 multilingual, multimedia resources. And a weekly e-newsletter "Wired for Women's Rights" was being distributed. International Republican Institute (IRI) Strengthening Political Parties and Promoting Accountable Political Leadership [Democracy] – this program empowers political parties and civil society activists committed to democratic change by strengthening party structures to encourage democratic reform within parties and enhance party membership development capabilities. The program also encourages increased transparency and accountability among elected officials. Morocco Development Gateway [Democracy, Economic] – this program has led to the development and maintenance of the Internet portal, named Tanmia.ma, to provide online space where NGOs can promote themselves and be informed of major development topics. The portal is designed as a communication platform that enables government agencies, the private sector, civil society actors, and the general public in Morocco and abroad to share information, resources, and opinions about socioeconomic development initiatives and to develop strategic partnerships. Supporting Political Parties and Parliamentary Reform [Democracy] – this program develops reference documents in Arabic for political parties and parliament to bridge the gap between Members of Parliament (MPs), civil society leaders, and constituents. Also through this program, political parties gain a better understanding of citizen perceptions as well as increase campaign skills for women through the following objectives: 1) improving the efficiency and effectiveness of MPs and party caucuses and 2) improving access to skills and resources. Community Empowerment Reforming Primary Education in High Atlas Mountains [Education] – In partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Education, this project is developing with full community participation, a rural community education approach focusing on reforming education by increasing the leadership and management capacities of school administrators, teachers, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), women leaders, and school advisory councils. The project gives special attention to assuring that school authorities and educators, as well as local residents and community-based organizations, recognize the importance of and support primary education, particularly for girls. Management Consulting in Media Outlets [Democracy] – NYU is partnering with the Journalism Development Group (JDG) and local news organizations to launch a program of media management consulting in Algeria and Morocco. This innovative program will assist local print outlets to improve journalism standards, profitability, independence, and objectivity in print media operations, addressing the need to create sustainable change in the media environment of the Middle East and North Africa. Capitalization of Micro-Finance Institutions [Economic] – this U.S.-North Africa Economic Partnership (USNAEP) activity works in concert with other U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiatives to develop a better business environment in Morocco, which includes increased access to capital. The funds provided by this program support amendments to existing portable loan guarantees to provide increased borrowing authority by two micro-finance institutions, Al Amana and Zakoura. Strategic Objective Agreement for Agriculture [Economic] – this program is part of a broader U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) strategy that is being designed to reform the Moroccan agriculture sector. MEPI program funding will be used to strengthen Moroccan agricultural associations. RegionalMoroccan individuals or groups participate in the following programs, which take place in two or more countries in the region. [MEPI reform pillars are listed in parentheses.] Clicking on the organization name takes you to their website, while clicking on the program name takes you to the program description. Completed ProgramsThe following, Morocco-specific programs, have already be completed. [MEPI reform pillars are listed in parentheses.] Market Access, Rural Outreach & Crafts [Economic] – this program is expanding the marketing and sales of artisan products in several villages and towns throughout Morocco. The program aims to assist low-income artisans through product development, various training courses, and market linkages to the United States. Right to Education in Rural Areas [Education, Economic, Women] – this grant was used to provide vocational training for rural girls in the province of Zagora and to reduce St. Ouzdine’s high rate of illiteracy. The Association seeks to integrate rural women into the process of civil society development and has successfully managed projects reaching peasants, students, women and children.
Agricultural Strategy [Economic] – Assistance preparing an agricultural sector strategy was provided to the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture to better position Morocco for a World Bank Structural Adjustment Loan.
Agricultural Strategy [Economic] – the is program provided assistance preparing an agricultural sector strategy was provided to the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture to better position Morocco for a World Bank Structural Adjustment Loan. Rural Tourism Development [Economic] – the Morocco Rural Tourism (MRT) Program is working to diversify the Moroccan rural economy, particularly with respect to meeting the challenges of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA). MRT provides assistance to increase the positive economic and social benefits of tourism to Morocco by developing and promoting competitive market-ready tour packages and attractions in rural areas, improving the efficiency and responsiveness of the responsible agencies, and providing functional training to improve the delivery of services to an international client. Creating Child-Centered Schools [Education] – this program is designed o introduce new active teaching methods and support family involvement in preschools and primary schools. CRI teaching methods encourage children to make choices, take responsibility for their decisions, express their ideas with creativity, respect differing styles and abilities of their classmates, develop critical thinking skills, and practice independent thinking.
Girls Scholarship Program [Women] – Comite de Soutien a la Scolarisation des Filles (CSSF), or the Rural Girls’ Educational Support Committee, is supporting 100 girls financially for 3 years to see them through middle school. CSSF and Moroccan NGOs established five new homes to ensure that the girls have safe and culturally acceptable living quarters near their school. The program was extended to support another 100 girls in 2004.
Agribusiness Development Program [Economic] – this program assisted selected Moroccan agribusiness associations and businesses representing sectors with export potential to: conduct market research in the U.S., identify potential distributors, and develop marketing strategies on behalf of their members; identify and develop other types of business opportunities, including American investment in Moroccan ventures; and publicize and promote the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in both countries through seminars and other events. Literacy and Training in Tangier [Education/Economic/Women] – this grant supported the activities of Fondation Tanger al Madina, a Moroccan NGO that provides literacy classes and technical training (sewing) for an underserved community of women in Tangier. The NGO also helps women find employment and develop a sense of local community.
Partnership for Financial Excellence Part I [Economic] – this technical assistance program, led by the Financial Service Volunteer Corps, helped strengthen the financial systems of Morocco, as well as Egypt and Jordan, by promoting investment and employment growth in those countries.
Increasing Women's Literacy [Women/Education] – This program increases an existing grant to Helen Keller International to expand its literacy training efforts. To date, Helen Keller International has provided literacy training to 20,000 women in the south of Morocco, benefiting the local economy through the hiring and training of unemployed college graduates as teachers, and by incorporating business skills into the literacy lessons. The MEPI funding is helping Helen Keller International expand its geographic reach to other under-served areas of Morocco. Morocco Free Trade Area Assistance [Economic] – this business development program fosters joint venture and investment relationships between U.S. and Moroccan companies, professional exchange programs, and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) education programs. Expanding US-Morocco FTA Website [Economic] – a MEPI small grant provides a second year of funding to continue operations for the successful Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Website, enabling the American-Moroccan Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) to improve its capacity to address the MEPI priorities of supporting local civil society, foster networks, advancing practical applications of crosscutting technologies, providing public diplomacy plans, and extending a network of reform-minded individuals and groups. By adding two new features – a Discussion Forum for FTA-related Issues and an Online Employment Database – AmCham hopes to enhance the benefits of the FTA and further contribute to Morocco’s economic growth. Rabat Branch, Moroccan Women’s Forum; Theater AquariumNew Family Law (Moudawana) Explained through Theatre Play [Women] – this program was designed as an innovative awareness campaign using theater to sensitize rural, urban, and working women and men about reforms to the Moudawana. The project reached hundreds of people in several parts of the country, as well as Moroccans living in Spain, providing better awareness of the new family code articles and helping to clarify misunderstandings of the code, which tend to cause tensions among family members. Parliamentary Training [Democracy] – led by the State University of New York (SUNY), this program focuses on strengthening the committee processes and increasing the capacity of the Moroccan Parliament to review, adopt, and monitor the national budget.
TamoutTrees as Income [Economic] – Through this program, 80,000 fruit trees were provided to families in the Fez- Meknes corridor, offering them an alternative source of income. Each family was trained how to cultivate and care for the trees.
Twin City Linkages [Economic] – this grant was used to hold a conference in April 2005, bringing together heads of NGOs, city officials, royal palace representatives, speakers from several key institutions, and the general public as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the Tangier-Baltimore/Annapolis Twin City committees. The overarching purpose of this event was to support networks and linkages among key reform-minded individuals and organizations in both countries.
Small-to-Medium-Enterprise Skills Strengthening [Economic] –This grant is being used to strengthen skills among entrepreneurs and business people working for small and medium-sized enterprises in Morocco through targeted training of business managers and through direct consulting at the firm level. Program implementation on the ground involves a select group of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) students the University of Michigan.
Moudawana Outreach Program [Women, Democracy] – The Moudawana project, implemented by World Learning, is designed to raise awareness among rural Moroccan women of their rights and responsibilities under the new family law (“Moudawana). The project has public policy advocacy, outreach, and networking components and is designed to empower women by incorporating NGO networking strategies. Completed Regional Programs Clicking on the organization name takes you to their website, while clicking on the program name takes you to the program description.
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