Completed MEPI Local Grants

The following provides information on ongoing MEPI local grant projects throughout RO Abu Dhabi region of coverage.

BAHRAIN

Bahrain Human Rights Society: “Improving Public, Parliament, and Ministry Support for Human Rights Protection in Bahrain” - Since its establishment in 2001, the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) has been producing an annual human rights report about the protection and/or abuse of human rights in Bahrain. This project empowered the BHRS to leverage the report into an effective mechanism for more significantly affecting public opinion, ministry policy, and legislative action. BHRS conducted its research and compiled its initial report per usual, utilizing other sources of funding. This project began at the point BHRS has completed its first draft. With support through this project, BHRS did not only print 1000 copies of the report, but will also held a press conference; launched a public opinion billboard campaign; presented key findings and legislative recommendations to a parliamentary committee; presented key findings and policy recommendations to ministers and senior ministry staff; and held a final public meeting reviewing civil society actions and government responses in the months following the report’s release.

JORDAN

Jordan Center for Strategic Studies: “Examining Public Attitudes toward Parliament and Elections” - As Jordan prepared for its Parliamentary election, the Center for Strategic Studies-University of Jordan (CSS) implemented two opinion polls (one of the public, and one of Parliament) to assess their views of Parliament; determined which national issues are of greatest concern to voters; and identifed the key determinants of voting decisions in the upcoming Parliamentary election. To encourage maximum public consideration and examination of these questions and their implications for Jordan’s democratic development, CSS publicized the survey and its content both before and after the polling was conducted. 100 interviewers including students from the University of Jordan were involved and trained in the polling process.
Family Guidance and Awareness Center: “Understanding and Exercising Political Rights: Pre-election Outreach to the Women of Zarqa” - A new election provides a new opportunity for change. As Jordan prepared for its parliamentary election, efforts were made to narrow the “impact gap” that existed between the impact the election had on poor women and their more affluent, better educated counterparts. This project helped ensure that the election had a significant and positive impact on the democratic knowledge, perspectives, and participation of women in the poor region of Zarqa.
Poor women are the group in Jordan whose political participation is most constrained by cultural restrictions. Through this project, the Zarqa Family Guidance Center (FGC) delivered democracy and civic education workshops for women community leaders in Zarqa, and trained them to conduct a door-to-door get-out-the-vote outreach campaign targeting the potential women voters of their communities.   The project commenced with a Jordan-based, international expert who conducted a train-the-trainers session for staff of the FGC. The trained FGC trainers then trained members of FGC-affiliate women centers in the eight municipalities of Zarqa. Each of those women in turn undertook a door-to-door GOTV effort in their respective communities, using a basic informative leaflet prepared by the FGC.
Land and Human to Advocate Progress (LHAP): “Human Rights and Democracy in Action in Northern Jordan Valley Schools” - LHAP expanded and made sustainable a previous-year MEPI local grant to create student Parliaments in schools in the Jordan Valley; trained the elected students on democracy issues and guided their operation; and trained teachers to incorporate democracy, human rights, and civic engagement principles into their classroom instruction. Three youth centers were tapped to participate fully in expanding the project to more schools, and their participating staff members were trained as trainers.
World-Links Arab Region (WLAR): “Arab Region Learning Center Portal” - WLAR educated and trained school teachers in the Arab world on integrating the use of computers and the internet into classroom curricula and instruction. The project also created an online portal in Arabic that enabled schoolteachers from throughout the region to communicate and collaborate with one another on lessons, projects, and teaching methods.
Sharhabeel Ben Hasna Association (SBHA): “Rights Advocacy Campaign for Those with Special Needs” - The project advocated for the rights of disabled persons living in the Jordan Valley area, heightening public awareness of the issues concerning disabled individuals, and leading a community campaign to lobby public officials to better accommodate the rights and needs of this neglected sector of society. The program examined the issue from a social, cultural and legal perspective.
Land & Human ro Advocate Progress (LHAP): "Democracy in Action in North Badia" - LHAP added 3 additional schools to a human rights and democracy project in the Northern Badia of Jordan in Mafraq Governorate. The project was comprised of forming a school parliament for each semester in each school, training both teachers and elected school parliamentarians, furnishing school libraries each with 50 books about human rights and democracy, convening as one school parliament, visiting the Jordanian parliament in Amman, and issuing a human rights newsletter after electing an editorial committee twice per academic year. The activities were designed to foster students' awareness of democratic issues and enhance critical thinking.
Community Development Center: "Mother's Advocates: A Women's Empowerment Project" - The project goal was to create a framework where mothers will learn how to advocate for their children, enabling them to advocate for themselves and help others to do the same. This project worked in conjunction with mothers to provide information and develop the skills necessary in order to negotiate effectively with school administrations and other educational institutions.
KUWAIT
Kuwait Journalists Association represented by Huseein Abdulrahman: "Seeking International Standards of Free Press Protection" - The new Press and Publications Law that was passed in Kuwait in 2006 contains vague wording that makes it possible for journalists and media outlets to be charged in criminal court for publishing material deemed to negatively impact such things as the “reputation” of the nation and/or government officials. The leadership and members of the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) felt strongly that in order to adequately address the problem, certain provisions of the law must be amended. In this three-phase project, participants examined international legal standards for protecting freedom of the press; formed a drafting committee to draft suggested amendment language necessary for Kuwaiti law to reflect these standards; and formed an advocacy committee that received training on how to garner public support for amendments and effectively lobby the Parliament and Government for their passage.
National Democratic Institute: “Study Mission of Arab Election Experts to Kuwait” - Several days in advance of Kuwait’s May 17 Parliamentary elections, the National Democratic Institute, in partnership with the Kuwait Transparency Society, organized the study visit of a five-person delegation of Arab civic leaders who have previously observed or been involved in election processes elsewhere in the MENA region. The delegation met with local experts and stakeholders, shared their observations, and participated in a roundtable discussion examining electoral processes and reform around the MENA region. Post-election, a summary of the roundtable discussion, as well as accounts of the delegation’s experiences in Kuwait, were posted to an on-line, Arabic-language portal that serves as repository for materials and reports related to MENA democratic developments.

The Women’s Network: “Make Your Right to Vote Count” - The Women’s Network urged women in Kuwait to vote through publication of an educational voting leaflet outlining voting rights and procedures. A one-page, two-sided leaflet was distributed to 200,000 women before the June 29 parliamentary elections. Side one urged women to use their newly-acquired right to vote, and included bullet points regarding a woman’s right and duty to vote as Kuwaiti citizens; the fact that Islam does not prohibit a woman's vote; and quotes from Kuwaiti, Arab, and religious leaders condemning vote buying. Side two focused on process, and included key voting day instructions, including the voting locations and procedures, as well as information about the ballot and the proper way to complete it. Subsequent to elections, a scientific poll of a random sample of eligible Kuwaiti women voters examined what determined each woman’s decision to vote or not vote, and what impact the leaflet and its message had on each woman’s decision to vote.
"Political Education Brochure for Kuwaiti Women" - This grant supported the production of a political education brochure for Kuwaiti women. The goal was to increase women's participation in the political process, thereby strengthening the democratic reform process.
Luthan Youth Activities Center (LOYAC): "Summer Training and Activities for Kuwaiti Youth" - LOYAC organized a summer training and activities session for Kuwaiti youth. The training sessions were organized through awareness committees, grouping teams of youth from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to work together on issues important to civil society and civic participation in Kuwait. The students gained substantive skills as well as notions of civic participation through community service. The program aimed to encourage political activity and participation in community service.
"Survey of Kuwaiti Women" - The project goal was to identify the views of Kuwaiti citizens on women's participation in public life. The project undertook in-depth, quantitative surveying to gauge the support for women's full exercise of their political rights. The results were used to identify issues of concern, assist women running for office in building platforms and advise the candidates of the public expectations for their performance as leaders.
Martha Steffens, University of Missouri journalism professor, in partnership with the Kuwait Journalists Association: “Parliamentary Elections Coverage & Reporting Effectively” - Martha Steffens, facilitated by the Kuwait Journalists Association, provided training to media professionals through workshops to improve the ability of journalists and editors in Kuwait to report effectively and ethically on parliamentary campaigns and election day events. A follow-up phase trained journalists on covering the activities of parliament and parliamentarians. Samples of pre and post workshop reporting were compiled and used as instructional tools. The project produced a manual for distribution to all participants and KJA members, and a journalist's code of ethics.
Cinemagic Scholarship Program - This scholarship program assisted students from marginalized groups or economically disadvantaged areas to express themselves through film. Project participants created civic-minded films aimed at Kuwaiti youth on environmental and health. These films were shown at a Kuwaiti cinema, and may be eligible for additional cinema screenings.
Oman
Community Links: “Parent-Teacher Council Reform” - Community Links helped form and activate ten model Parent-Teacher Councils in various regions throughout Oman. The project provided parents and school administrators the vision and skills to seek the active participation of parents in addressing issues at their children's schools that affect the quality of their education. Community Links taught the Parent Teacher Councils to create action plans to be implemented by these new councils in their regions. Following completion of the project, each trained Parent-Teacher Council mentored and guided a second Parent-Teacher Council in its region through the same process.
Oman Journalists Association: “Oman Journalists Association (OJA) Media Training Center” - The OJA set up a training center where expert trainers and materials educated journalists on a broad range of skills and concepts required to fulfill the role of an independent press in a democratic society. The project produced training modules that raised the professional standards of journalists; improved the coverage of local issues key to Oman's democratic growth; and strengthened the role of the OJA as an NGO committed to advancing freedom of the press and professional, independent reporting.
Community Links: “Strengthening Civil Society Organizations through Volunteerism” - Omani NGOs received training from international experts on how to best utilize members as active volunteers. Participating Omani organizations learnt how to structure themselves effectively through definition of roles and responsibilities of volunteers. Each participating NGO examined its organizational structure and developed an action plan to effectively engage volunteers to carry out the organization's mission and achieve its goals.
Environmental Society of Oman: "Citizens Working for Change: Public Participation in Environmental Protection" - The Environmental Society of Oman increased awareness of Oman's natural resources and taught the importance of civic participation in protecting and conserving the environment through school programs and public outreach.
Emirates American Consulting and Training Center (EACTC): “Promoting Stronger Unions through Elections” – The EACTC introduced and helped incorporate the internal and external democratic processes of labor unions for the newly-formed workers committees that constitute the Oman Main Representative Committee (MRC) for Labor Relations. EACTC conducted two workshops for MRC members: The first workshop focused on organizing and carrying out elections for the national body of MRC. The second workshop examined the function and the role of unions in civil society. The project produced manuals to support the activities of the MRC's leaders and members.
Oman Association for Consumer Protection: "Promoting Consumer Rights in Oman" - This project enabled the Oman Association for Consumer Protection to conduct information sessions for the public, obtain expertise from a U.S. counterpart organization, build their constituency, and establish networks with other consumer organizations in the region and the world.
QATAR
Qatar University: “Qatari Women as Civic Leaders” - Qatar University staff, with the assistance and of an international expert, trained 30 selected female students in concepts of civic activism and effective methods of civic leadership. Upon completion of workshops and instructional sessions delivered over the course of three months, student participants applied their training to plan and implement an actual advocacy campaign addressing an issue of public concern in Qatar. Their advocacy effort included meetings with government officials, a report to the media, and a public seminar.
Qatar University represented by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar: “In Their Own Words: Qatari Women Write on Current Affairs” - Qatari Women’s civic engagement deficit to their male counterparts is rooted in culture, lack of knowledge, and lack of experience. This project improved the civic engagement and communication skills of university women participants; taught them to consider, research, and analyze contemporary issues in Qatar, form opinions, and communicate their opinions effectively and persuasively in writing. In the course of establishing an on-campus, female writers’ club, Qatar University trained female students on effective research, analysis, and opinion writing. Participants were then invited to submit an essay to a persuasive writing contest, in which each writer argued a position on any of three contemporary topics in Qatar: social development, business, or politics. Selected essays were compiled into an anthology, and winning essays publicized and distributed to the media.
Martha Steffens, University of Missouri journalism professor, in partnership with Qatar University: “Parliamentary Elections Coverage & Reporting Effectively” - Martha Steffens, facilitated by Qatar University, provided training to media professionals through workshops to improve the ability of journalists and editors in Qatar to report effectively and ethically on parliamentary campaigns and election day events. A follow-up phase trained journalists on covering the activities of parliament and parliamentarians. Samples of pre and post workshop reporting were compiled and used as instructional tools. The project produced a manual for distribution to all participants and Qatar media outlets, and a journalist's code of ethics.
Moza Al Malki Training and Consultation Center: "Get Out the Vote: New Women Activists Seek Women Voters" - The project provided a voter education program through the Moza Al Maliki Training and Consultation Center encouraging women to exercise their right of political participation ahead of the April 2007 Central Municipal Council's election. The Center drew upon women university students to distribute a Get-Out-The-Vote leaflet and to conduct a survey on women's political participation in Qatar. The Center produced a summary and analysis from its survey on the reasons women did not register and/or did not vote, and suggested messages and strategies for an effective women's voter registration/GOTV effort ahead of national elections in 2008.
SAUDI ARABIA
Samia Falimban: “Engendering Volunteerism, Activism, and Social Responsibility in Saudi Women” – Ms. Falimban conducted a training program to educate young women on how to play an active role in society through volunteering for community service programs that focus on global issues. These young women used their newly learned skills to carry out their own public awareness campaigns – in schools, universities, and public gathering places on various global issue days, such as International Women’s Day, World Health Day, World Environment Day, and the International Day of Disabled Persons.
UAE
Mosaica: “Parental Engagement in Education Through Parent-Teacher Councils” - In six UAE schools, Mosaica Education conducted a baseline analysis of the extent and impact of parental involvement in their children’s education; set up Parent-Teacher Councils at the six schools, trained the new Parent-Teacher Councils (PTCs) to improve parental engagement and involvement; assisted in the development and implementation of PTC action plans; and facilitated the transference of the six participant PTC’s experiences, best practices, and resources to six additional, new PTCs. To help expand the introduction and sustainable development of PTCs throughout the UAE, Mosaica Education produced a PTC replication and best practices manual, and conducted a public awareness campaign to garner attention and support for improved, organized parental involvement in their children’s schools via PTCs.

Ras Al Khaimah Men's College: "Establishing and Operating an Elected Student Council at RAK Men's College" - This project resulted in the election and effective operation of the first elected Student Council at Ras Al Khaimah Men's College. An expert in forming and running elected Student Councils trained existing student representatives, those interested in running for office, and other students at RAK Men’s College on the role of student councils in working with students and administrators to represent and serve student interests. Participants were taught how to form, organize, and operate a Student Council; and how to organize and implement a Student Council election. Training provided through workshops and consultation also addressed effective consideration and advocacy of student concerns.
Emirates Environmental Group (EEG): “Creating a Civil Society Organizations Network (CSON) for the UAE” - EEG brought together ten UAE civil society organizations to establish a Civil Society Organizations Network in the UAE. Expert assistance strengthened the institutional capacity of the participating CSOs, and guided them through the process of sharing expertise and best practices through their new partnership. The project produced a strategic plan for the operation and growth of the new network, as well as a joint advocacy campaign on a public policy issue of mutual concern.
Zayed University: "The 21^st Century Emirati Woman: My Future as a Citizen and Leader" - Encouraged women's participation and leadership in public life and raised public awareness of the important role of women in the future of the UAE. This project provided communication skills training through workshops and one-on-one sessions, culminating in a public speaking contest about the Emirati woman's role as a citizen and leader. Contest winners received additional leadership training and took on roles as student leaders and mentors in Zayed University's new Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Center for Leadership.
Zayed University: “Emirati Women Short Stories Competition” - Zayed University focused attention on the public perception of Emirati women and encouraged English language development in a project that resulted in a published anthology entitled “Emirati Women in the UAE Today”. Students at UAE University, Higher Colleges of Technology, and Zayed University submited short stories depicting modern Emirati women in business, the workplace, family, public life, education, as consumers, and as leaders. In addition to inclusion in the anthology, selected short story entries were broadly publicized in magazines, newspapers, and other media throughout the country.

Mahmoud Zawawi: "Strengthening Independent Journalism and Civic Engagement through Investigative Reporting" - As part of the UAE Journalists' Association (UAEJA) efforts to improve the independence and capacity of journalism in the UAE, the UAEJA hosted Journalism expert Mahmoud Zawawi to provide training to journalists and editors on investigative reporting. The training strengthened the investigative capabilities and professionalism of UAE-based journalists in covering local issues of political, social, and economic importance affecting the citizens and residents of the UAE. In addition to equipping UAE journalists with the professional skills needed to investigate, report, and write their stories; and ensuring the publication of several in-depth, quality investigative articles in UAE papers; the program developed the professional ethical standards of the participating journalists and editors.
iEARN: "i-EARN Start-up in the UAE" - The iEARN Team Leaders Program provided 25 Emirati teachers with training and materials to integrate the internet into the classroom. The program consisted of a three-day workshop which was followed by a two-day train the trainer program, that resulted in a cadre of public school teachers that used the internet in their classrooms to work on projects and link with their U.S. classroom counterparts.
Dubai Women's College: "Establishing an elected Student Council" - As a follow-up to a previous MEPI local grant, Dubai Women's College brought 3-4 students from Mt. Holyoke College, for one week, to train the student council on how to form an advocacy based organization vs. its current event planning/social role. The students learnt how to build an effective leadership team based on models of parliamentary/democratic procedures. They also learnt how to advocate on behalf of the student body to the senior administration. The training also examined the role of women participating in civil society.
Abu Dhabi Businesswomen's Council: "Seed program for a Women's Entrepreneurship Center" - This project trained a core team of Emirati businesswomen on small business development and practices. The UAE Businesswomen Council used this core group to develop a center to train UAE women on how to start a small business. These members were the core team who in turn held training for other UAE women entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
YEMEN
The Human Rights Information and Training Center: “Capacity building for the upcoming UAE Civil Society Parallel Forum” - This project built on the outcomes of the Sanaa Parallel Forum with a primary focus on building partnerships with UAE civil society leaders, in order to support their efforts towards this year’s Forum for the Future, and ensure that it builds on the progress and momentum of previous years. Through planning workshops and consultation meetings offered to UAE and BMENA civil society leaders, and organized by the Yemeni Human Rights Information and Training Center (HRITC), the knowledge and experience enabled civil society participants to shape their efforts with knowledge of past progress. HRITC produced and distributed 500 copies of the book on the outcomes of the four previous parallel civil society meetings, including substantive topics discussed at the meetings and the tangible outcomes. A website to include documents and materials related to civil society’s role in the Forum process was created.
Women Journalists without Chains: “Journalists against Corruption” - In 2006, Yemen passed a new Anti-Corruption Law, and in 2007 established a National Anti-Corruption Committee. This project empowered the press as a watchdog to ensure the new law and committee translate into actual progress against corruption. To accomplish this, WJWC formed a committee of journalists and editors; made them experts on the Anti-Corruption Law and the Anti-Corruption Committee; and empowered them with investigative reporting knowledge and skills. The members of the “Journalists Against Corruption Committee” (JACC), wrote and published investigative articles on corruption and/or anti-corruption efforts. WJWC helped the JACC produce and publicize a summary report and analysis of anti-corruption efforts since passage of the Anti-corruption Law and Anti-Corruption Committee, and presented its findings to Parliament and the Government. In addition to the report, the project produced a “Journalists Against Corruption Handbook” and an “Investigative Reporting Manual” for the on-going use and reference of the JACC and all Yemeni journalists.
SOUL: “ Strengthening Women’s NGO Advocacy and Operations in the Governorate of Marib” - Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should not only serve community social, economic, and educational needs, they should also organize and empower citizens to seek governmental support, services, and policies that are responsive to those needs. NGOs should not just serve citizens, they should mobilize them. Through this two-phase project, SOUL strengthened the ability of 15 women NGOs in the governorate of Marib to mobilize citizens, engage government, and advocate for the needs and rights of the people of their communities: Phase one provided participant NGOs training and resources essential to strengthening their operations and capacity. Phase two provided training on effective advocacy campaigns; including effective lobbying of municipal councils and government institutions, and how to garner public support.   Both phases included examples of best practices from other Yemeni NGOs.
Democracy School: “Democracy and Human Rights Training for Yemen’s Future Judges and Lawyers” - For Democracy to function as intended, the laws passed by elected legislators must be respected and independently upheld by the judiciary; by judges who apply and interpret laws without violating universal human rights. Further, as advocates for individuals citizens, lawyers must understand their clients’ rights and ensure they are respected in the judicial process.   This project provided instruction to ground the functions of future Yemeni judges and lawyers in democracy and its requisite respect for universal human rights. The Democracy School led interactive training workshops and mock trials for future lawyers studying at the Sharia and Law College, and for future judges studying at the Higher Judicial Institute. The Democracy School conveyed the key components of democracy and international human rights standards to students from both institutions. Instructors from both institutions also participated in the sessions. The training content and materials were compiled into an instructional booklet for the participants’ future reference, and for the instructors’ future use with subsequent classes of students.
National Organization for Developing Sodiety (NODS): "Democracy Training for Sanaa Imams and Women Preachers" - Through this project, the National Organization for Developing Society (NODS) targeted a group of imams and women preachers in Sanaa through a series of workshops and training modules that examined and conveyed concepts of democracy, human rights and rule of law, and these values were later incorporated in their widely influential teachings. This project expanded on NODS’ successful work delivering democracy and human rights training to Imams and women preachers in the city of Taiz.
Modern Youth Society: "Empowering Women Constituents in Yemen through Awareness and Activism" - The project strengthened the ability of Yemeni women in the governorates of Shabwa, Ma’reb and Abeen to participate in political life as well-informed, active constituents. Participants lobbied elected local officials and held them accountable for addressing key issues of local concern. The Modern Youth Society drew upon leading women in the three governorates to form committees that were responsible for identifying issues of concern, raising the awareness of local women, and lobbying and monitoring their respective Local Councils on current and future development issues, projects and services.
The National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedoms (HOOD):"Reform of The Judicial Authority Law" -  Yemen’s constitution provided for the judiciary’s independence, but the Judicial Authority Law, which defines how the judiciary is managed and operated, included some provisions that infringe upon the constitutional safeguards of judicial independence. Amendments were made to the law of Judicial Authority, but despite these recent changes the Judicial Authority remains susceptible to interference from the executive branch. Through this project, a committee of legal experts evaluated the effectiveness of the amendments made to the law of Judicial Authority, and identified and drafted further amendments necessary to safeguard judicial independence. The committee presented its proposed, draft amendment language to MPs, Yemen's Bar Associations, and the public for input. An advocacy action plan for gaining wide public and parliamentary support for the draft amendments was completed at a workshop for selected MPs and lawyers.
National Organization for Developing Society (NODS): “Democracy and Human Rights Training for Imams” - NODS brought together a group of Imams to educate them about the values of democracy and human rights. Over the course of 10 workshop sessions, Imams learnt to research issues from international sources on the internet, and participated in discussion and debates on human rights and democracy. Upon completion of the program, a booklet summarizing main points and lessons learned was formulated and distributed widely to other Imams to incorporate these concepts, ideas, and values into their influential teachings in their communities.
Al-Aghabera & Al-Arouq Charitable Society: “Creating Dynamic Community Libraries” - AACS trained 4 librarians, 40 teachers, 40 parents and 50 students as trainers. They in turn trained a total of 2000 peers at four community libraries on how to use library and internet resources. Community Library Clubs were created in each community, through which future library users would receive training and resource materials.
Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF): “Youth Leadership Program” - YLDF taught male and female Yemeni youth to develop business and entrepreneurial skills that enable them to enter the market as small business entrepreneurs or professional employees to help vitalize Yemen’s private sector. The one-year program, Youth Business Professionals Program (YBPP), consisted of four training modules, and included placement and referral support to its graduates.
Yemen Polling Center: "Political Participation and Governance: Public Attitudes and Perceptions" - Yemen Polling Center staff were trained and supported by an expert consultant to carry out effective and accurate polling. Four separate polls were conducted across four different governorates in advance of Yemen's municipal council and presidential elections. Results were distributed to Yemeni media, political parties, and civil society institutions.
Democracy School: "Qualifying Young Lawyers in Human Rights" - The project trained one hundred and sixty Sharia and Law faculty students on the concept of Human Rights. Students from third and fourth year were primary particpants in this project. The project also enabled students to legal research on the international conventions on Human Rights and the international protocols of the addendum conventions.
Al-Rahma Foundation: "Business and Marketing Skills for Women" - This program trained and encouraged female youth of Dar Al-Rahma to produce high-quality handicrafts such as woven rugs for domestic and international markets. It promoted and expanded productivity and profitability of female youth which helped them gain skills to start their own business and improve their economic opportunity. The products of the project were marketed through networking and agreements with selected Trade Centers in the major tourist sites in Yemen.
SOUL: "Community Based Integrated Development Program: Expanding Employment Opportunities in the Hadhramout" - A series of workshops included the following topics: "Shop for a Job", "Sell Yourself", and "Role Playing". This program was a pilot initiative. If proven successful, the implementer proposed a permanent employment assistance center to provide employment services to the community.
REGIONAL LOCAL GRANTS
International Center for Not-for-profit Law (ICNL): "Gulf Civil Society Law Reform" -ICNL worked with regional and international experts to examine the role of civil society in democratic societies, and the legal framework necessary to enable and protect it. A regional workshop examined samples of existing and draft laws governing civil society from the region, Europe, and the United States, and common components of effective legislative frameworks. Follow-on activities in two selected Gulf states expanded seminar participation to include stakeholders from government, Parliament, civil society, and the legal profession, and sought to launch drafting groups that ultimately draft and advocate for new, model legislation.
Barefoot Workshops: “Mass Media Tools for Activists” - This project bolstered the ability of participant civil society groups to inform and affect public opinion by conveying messages through quality "public service announcement" (PSA) video messages; which were disseminated via television, the internet, and personal electronic devices. Two representatives of sixteen selected civil society groups participated in an in-depth, two-week training workshop in their home country. Each participating group learnt, in the course of producing an actual, finished PSA video, the skills necessary to produce and utilize effective, high-quality PSA video messages on their own.




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