MEPI SMALL GRANTS REPORT FOR MOROCCO

UNCLAS RABAT 001962 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/PI AND NEA/MAG TUNIS FOR MEPI RO KWOLCOTT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL KMPI MO SUBJECT: MEPI SMALL GRANTS REPORT FOR MOROCCO REF: STATE 151114 ¶1. Per reftel and telecoms with the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Tunis Regional Office, post has been asked to report on two MEPI small grant proposals that are now complete - the Zagora Women's Computer Technology Workshop and the Tangier American Legation Museum literacy and vocational training program. ¶2. In October 2006, MEPI granted $26,047 to the Association Feminine de Developpement et Solidarite (AFDES) from Zagora to strengthen women's effective participation in society by providing 20 local women's associations with training in computer technology. In addition, to promote sustainability of this program, AFDES provided train the trainer instruction to allow members of each association to teach computer skills to fellow association members. ¶3. Through the Zagora Technology Project, two technology teachers, a Peace Corps Volunteer and the AFDES president trained 40 women from associations in the Zagora region (two from each association) in information technology, computer repair and maintenance, advanced literacy and business management practices. Additionally, the technology coordinators have scheduled observation/evaluation days with association members in Zagora to ensure that the computer training skills learned by the students will be taught to their associations. Women have gained business experience, learned basic computer maintenance and reinforced their skills by teaching members from associations in information technology. ¶4. This program was very successful in achieving its goals and supporting post's efforts to promote female empowerment, as well as female inclusiveness in education and economic development. The fact that members of 20 local associations have attained these skills helps assure that this information will be widely shared throughout local communities. AFDES is a young organization, but it handled the implementation of this program well. However, the organization would be challenged to maintain a larger grant. Post would likely recommend continued funding if AFDES requested it, and we would recommend this type of proposal for other MEPI participant countries. ¶5. Per recent telecon with Tunis, the Tangier American Legation Museum literacy and vocational training program has already been reported to MEPI. RILEY