OpportunityTitle: Economic Empowerment in Dakhla and Laayoune Regions
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligible applicants include U.S. or foreign: Non-profit organizations;  For-profit organizations; Private institutions of higher education; Public international organizations; and/or Small businesses with function and regional experience in the areas of education and human development in the MENA region.
Description: An undiversified economy and inequitable participation in the labor force are two economic challenges facing the Dakhla and Laayoune regions. Largely dependent on agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, tourism, and phosphate mining for income, the region is susceptible to a disconnect between citizens and the government when the primary source of revenue is from a natural resource rather than the citizens themselves. &#8239;Overreliance on those industries also limits private sector growth and contributes to a low rate of women&#8217;s participation in the labor market. Competitive proposals will support activities targeting underserved communities, to include women, youth, and People with Disabilities (PWD). The beneficiaries should receive some combination of soft- and job-skills along with entrepreneurship training. &#8239;Proposals which have an innovative approach and/or have concrete outcomes such as jobs obtained, or businesses created will be looked on favorably. &#8239;Proposals can reference relevant prior experience. &#8239; This project will support civil society in the Dakhla and Laayoune regions by developing the professional skills of the participants. &#8239;Incremental progress in these areas is made possible through an informed and empowered population. &#8239;The project will also help create the economic conditions that, in turn, allow associations and businesses to organize and approach local officials on questions and issues important to them, whether resource allocation or gender equity.
GrantorContactText: nea-grants@state.gov