Thirteen Moroccan associations with innovative projects received financial assistance estimated at almost 15 million dirhams granted by the USA-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program of local grants to groups and individuals wishing to contribute change in society. «MEPI's local grants program is an annual activity. We have received more than 100 project proposals from several Moroccan associations and organizations, but thirteen have been selected according to criteria of support and influence to benefit from this grant of nearly 15 million dirhams», regional Director of MEPI, Manu Bhalla, told media at the signing ceremony of the grants, on Wednesday in Rabat. Mr Bhalla said that the 13 projects include the creation of employment opportunities for people with disabilities, former prisoners, and initiatives to promote entrepreneurship. For his part, the Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Morocco, Stephanie Miley, said that the grants to Moroccan associations will contribute to the strengthening of Moroccan-American relations, noting that these projects will enable young people to become more involved in the development of their country and to create the leaders of tomorrow. Among the associations benefiting from these grants is the «Al Ikram» Association, whose secretary general, Marine Pointillart, has indicated that the MEPI grant will enable the Association, based in Casablanca, to set up a workshop for young people and non- graduates with technical training in the recycling of paper and cardboard.
