About MEPI

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), located within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, supports efforts to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In support of these goals, MEPI works with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions, as well as governments. More information about MEPI can be found at: www.mepi.state.gov. Information on MEPI's regional office in Tunis can be found at:  www.medregion.mepi.state.gov

Regional Offices

To better promote democratic reform objectives in the region by working directly with local partners on the ground, MEPI opened two Regional Offices (ROs) in the summer of 2004.  The Abu Dhabi RO is located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and covers the countries of the Arab Gulf, plus Jordan and Yemen.  The Tunis RO is located in Tunisia and covers the countries of North Africa, as well as Lebanon, Israel, and West Bank/Gaza.  MEPI is a U.S. policy initiative and, as such, the Regional Offices serve as liaisons between MEPI’s central office in Washington, DC, and the U.S. Embassies located in the region, as well as working directly with MEPI’s partners, program participants, and other reformers at the civil society or “grassroots” level.

MEPI Tunis RO

Housed at the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, the Regional Office administers MEPI local programs in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and West Bank/Gaza, accounting for more than $2 million in program funding each year.  The Tunis RO has a staff of eight employees, including Foreign Service Officers and locally engaged staff, with expertise in civil society development, public diplomacy, and grants management.  In addition to coordinating with the U.S. Embassies throughout the region, the Tunis RO organizes conferences (such as the Business Women’s Summit and Student Leaders Alumni Conference), facilitates exchange programs (such as the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship program and the Students Leaders program), and provides a variety of funding opportunities (such as the MEPI Local Grants program and Civil Society Grants), as well as supporting visits, seminars, and training programs designed to advance reform.   

MEPI and BMENA

MEPI supports several reform efforts throughout the region, including the G8 Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (BMENA). Launched at the Sea Island Summit hosted by the United States in 2004, BMENA organizes the yearly Forum for the Future and fostered the creation of the Foundation for the Future.