Cablegate: Mepi Small Grants Report for Morocco

VZCZCXYZ0009
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #1962 2921730
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191730Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4989
INFO RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 9082

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

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