Regional Programs

Revised January 2007

Political Pillar

Elections and Political Processes

Supporting Arab Civil Society Participation in the World Movement for Democracy
MEPI region

National Endowment for Democracy 
FY05 $318,000

The World Movement for Democracy enables democracy activists and practitioners, particularly in transitional countries and consolidating democracies, to acquire information about best practices, identify effective strategies and recognize the potential of collaborative activities, especially across borders. This project supports the participation of 30 participants from the Middle East and North Africa at the Fourth World Movement for Democracy Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey; publication and distribution of the final assembly report in Arabic; creation of sustainable networks among MENA participants to increase political participation; and incorporation of recommendations and strategies into collaborative projects.

Supporting Democratic Reform
MEPI region

Aspen Strategic Initiative Institute
FY05 $1,718,177

The Aspen Institute in Berlin is working with indigenous and expatriate reform-oriented activists to promote political reform. The program brings together key policy makers, opinion leaders, NGO representatives, media, and human rights activists from the Middle East, Europe and the U.S. to discuss practical steps toward the promotion of civil society and democracy in the region.

2006 Summer Institute on Election Management
MEPI region

American University
FY05 $87,904

The institute's goals are to improve election administration, create structural reform that promote public participation and fair competition in elections, as well as expand participation in local and national governance processes.

Promoting the UN Convention Against Corruption in the Middle East and North Africa
MEPI region

Transparency International
$97,682

This project builds upon the platform of action presented at the 2005 Forum for the Future in Bahrain. Building on its first, main recommendation — the ratification and effective implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) — the project aims to build the capacity of parliamentarians, journalists and civil society organizations to campaign for the incorporation of the UNCAC into national legislation; to equip civil society with the technical knowledge and tools to monitor the effective implementation of laws consistent with the UNCAC; and to foster an ongoing network of activists who can sustain this work. Transparency International, in partnership with local partners in the MENA region, will offer technical assistance consultations, a UNCAC implementation tool kit and two workshops for civil society activists, MPs, and representatives of the business community regarding how to track and monitor compliance to the convention.

Women Democracy Watch
MEPI region

Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights 
FY05 $98,940

This project develops a Women's Democracy Watch network that monitors progress and outcomes of the Forum for the Future and advances coordinated policy priorities within the BMENA region to advance women's empowerment. The goal is to create a broad and sustainable network of BMENA women civil society activists from 14 countries working to advance tangible reforms regarding expanding women's empowerment. It also promotes women's political advocacy initiatives in the BMENA region and exploits opportunities for reform dialogue and partnership between BMENA civil society governments and civil society organizations.

Strengthen Political Parties and Improve the Transparency of Electoral System
MEPI region

National Democratic Institute
FY05 $1,600,000

This project aims to strengthen democratic practices and electoral systems by working with political parties on the development of platforms responsive to constituents' needs. The project also supports increased electoral transparency of and public participation in elections.

Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program
MEPI region

Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
FY05 $ 1,111,746

The Middle East Partnership Initiative Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program will provide emerging democratic reform leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa with the opportunity to complete academic coursework and skill-building internships in their field of choice in the U.S.

Community Libraries
MEPI region

Ideaccess
FY05 $ 402,021 

The project supports the establishment of community-based libraries.

Civil Society Strengthening Initiative
MEPI region

Democracy Council
FY05 $601,643

The project addresses the issue of freedom of association, the right of citizens to have access to independent sources of information, and the development of civil society groups. This is a collaborative effort between the Democracy Council and local partners.

Strengthening Civil Society
MEPI region

People in Need
FY05 $611,304

This project strengthens civil society through the dissemination of and training on lessons learned from the CEE transformation to democracy.

Supporting Democracy Activists
MEPI region

Foundation for the Defense of Democracies 
FY05 $800,343

This project supports a new generation of activists in the Middle East through training, technical assistance and mentoring

Democracy Assistance Dialogue
MEPI region

Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
FY05 $47,379

This project aims to implement recommendations made at meetings of the Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD) as they relate to women's empowerment. TESEV is working with local partners to complete a baseline study, which will identify specific areas of the DAD recommendations that can be the focus of in-country activities and not duplicate existing civil society efforts. Following the publication of the study, TESEV and its partners will organize country-based workshops to bring together civil society leaders, academics and government representatives to advance these specific reform initiatives.

Supporting Democratic Reform
MEPI region

International Republican Institute
FY05 $ 600,000 

This project provides support for grassroots public awareness campaigns and for the conduct and dissemination of public opinion polling research. Project activities in the public awareness campaign include support to local organizations to publish and disseminate a collection of reports on government human rights abuses and violations, to collect and distribute stories regarding administrative corruption affecting the lives of citizens, and to produce voice recordings of everyday citizens telling their stories.

New Generation Advocating for Political Reform in the Middle East
MEPI region

Freedom House
FY05 $ 1,522,915

The program provides professional internships for emerging political activists in the Middle East. The program gives participants the skills and motivation to devise and implement effective local advocacy campaigns and programs. Participants also receive post-internship mentoring and tailored training linked to their individual advocacy goals.

Rule of Law

Middle East Associative Rights Initiative
MEPI region

International Center for Non Profit Law
FY05 $149,983

The project convenes a two-day seminar on the legal environment for the operation of civil society in advance of the 2006 Forum for the Future in Amman, Jordan. It follows the development of a corps of local experts on the topic of reforming laws governing associative rights and the legal establishment of civil society organizations.

Media

Middle East and North Africa Media Development and Initiatives Alliance (MENA Media)
MEPI region

International Research Exchanges Board 
FY05 $2,678,376

This project increases the professionalism and sustainability of independent media in the Middle East and North Africa. Activities support the commercial, regulatory, and political factors that underpin the growth of independent media: an open operating environment; professional, quality-driven outlets; and public-oriented content. The program has four areas: media law, media management, professional development, and regional networks. All programs are interconnected.

Web Access for Civil Society
MEPI region

Regents of the University of New Mexico
FY05 $ 949,920

This project supports the establishment of a Web portal for civil society NGOs and trains NGOs on how to network into the portal system and use tools available to improve their initiatives. It identifies NGOs for linkage into the portal and provides training on how to design, develop and maintain linked Web sites.

Women's Pillar

Women in Democracy

Support Women's Political Participation and Candidacies
MEPI region

National Democratic Institute
FY05 $ 375,000

This project supports women's participation in building democratic pluralistic societies through both political representation and civil society strengthening. It offers a women's campaign school to teach key campaigning skills to women candidates from North African countries running for elected public office.

Cross Pillar

Foundation for the Future
MEPI region

Eurasia Foundation
FY05 $ 921,064

The project supports an independent grant making foundation that will promote democracy and civil society development throughout the broader Middle East and North Africa and that will be supported by funding from many countries and organizations. This will be accomplished through preparation of effective administrative policies and internal control procedures meeting international standards, combined with a staff of highly qualified candidates for foundation senior staff positions submitted for review and selection.