KUWAIT RESPONSE TO SPA PROPOSALS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000728

SIPDIS

ABU DHABI FOR MEPI REG OFC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMPI PREL ECON KPAO KDEM KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT RESPONSE TO SPA PROPOSALS

REF: STATE 6225


1. Post's MEPI committee recommends two of the six Standing
Program Announcement (SPA) proposals for funding. They
include applications from, in descending order, the Sharqiyat
Institution (SPA-105-168) and Young Entrepreneurs'
Organization (SPA-105-153). In Post's view, these were the
highest quality proposals likely to succeed in Kuwait within
the projected time frame.


2. The Sharqiyat proposal's goal of media training for female
journalists is achievable and particularly useful in Kuwait
where media, in Post's determination, is in need of
professional development. The plan's strategy is concise and
detailed. The project will provide training to lower level
journalists who are not often offered such opportunities.
Furthermore, building a network of professionally trained
female journalists will support women's efforts to gain full
political rights. Post's one reservation is that the proposal
presented no budget although the table of contents indicated
the inclusion of a budget.


3. The Young Entrepreneurs project seeks to accomplish a
narrowly defined goal within a detailed timeline providing a
mechanism to measure success. While the proposal does not
address differences in unemployment between the Gulf and
other Middle East countries, its focus on increasing
entrepreneurship is still germane in Kuwait. The budget
request is itemized and coherent. Since the organization has
experience in this type of project in the Gulf, Post would be
curious to learn about its progress thus far.


4. Post does not recommend funding the four remaining
proposals:
--National Center for State Courts (SPA-105-201): Post is
happy to reconsider this group, but their organizational
overview booklet did not provide any specific project
proposal.
--Saudi Institute (SPA-105-219): The proposed radio station
does not fill a communication void as Radio Sawa and Al Hurra
television already exist nor does it present a tangible goal.
--Labor Solidarity (SPA-105-212): The project is not well
suited for Kuwait since labor unions tend to be biased and
not representative of their membership. In addition, the
large expatriate workforce in Kuwait is not empowered to
influence labor law reform.
--ETS (SPA-105-210): They present a good idea with online
education, but its success is uncertain. It would be
necessary first to gauge the Kuwaitis' interest in distance
learning rather than assume their engagement.
LEBARON