Projects
MENA WEF has partnered with Michigan-based universities, Global Ties Detroit and World Learning to successfully implement many consulting and capacity building projects in the MENA region, involving everything from women’s empowerment and youth leadership development to workforce development.
*Note that projects implemented prior to 2018 were managed by Jumana Judeh and Nabelah Ghareeb as leaders of the Arab American Women’s Business Council (AAWBC).
Women in Science and Technology
ECA, US Department of State, 2009-2011, $450,000, participating countries included Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman the Palestinian Territories, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. AAWBC served as a subcontractor to the University of Michigan. Received $10,000 for placing the participating women in internships with Detroit area companies.
Engineering Pathways from Education to Employment
ECA, US Department of State, 2010-2012, $500,000, participating countries included Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and the Palestinian Territories. AAWBC served as a subcontractor to the University of Michigan. Received $7,000 to place participants in internships and to organize social and cultural program.
Inspiring and Accelerating Entrepreneurship Among MENA Youth
ECA, US Department of State, 2011-2013, $450,000, participating countries included Algeria, Egypt, Israel, the PalestinianTerritories and Tunisia. AAWBC served as a subcontractor to the University of Michigan. Received $5,000 to place participants in internships, provided training and to organize social and cultural program.
Economic Empowerment through Entrepreneurship
ECA, US Department of State, 2012-2014, $500,000, participating countries included Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Tunisia. AAWBC served as a subcontractor to the University of Michigan. Received $5,000 to place participants in internships, provided training and to organize social and cultural program.
Economic Empowerment of Women through Entrepreneurship
ECA, US Department of State, 2013-2015, $450,000, participating countries included Egypt, Israel, Oman and the Palestinian Territories. AAWBC served as a subcontractor to the University of Michigan. Received $4,000 to place participants in internships, provided training and to organize social and cultural program.
American Palestinian University Linkages
US Consulate in East Jerusalem, 2018, $125,000, participating country was Palestine. MENA WEF served as a subcontractor to Global Ties Detroit. Received $5,500 to host 40 Palestinian undergraduate students. Arranged internships and provided a training workshop on networking.
Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program
World Learning, 2019, $21,000, participating country was Iraq. MENA WEF served as a host community implementing institution as a direct contractor to World Learning. Arranged all programming, volunteer opportunities and social/cultural program.
Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program
World Learning, 2022, $54,000, participating country was Iraq. MENA WEF served as the implementing institution of the two week orientation program for the Arab speaking participants, who would then be sent to their host communities. MENA WEF was a direct contractor to World Learning. Arranged all programming, volunteer opportunities and a social/cultural program.
“Skill-Up Palestine” – Strengthening Institutions to Stimulate Economic Growth and Create Jobs
Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry/U.S. Embassy, Israel, Palestinian Affairs Office, 2024-25, $65,000, participating country Palestine (West Bank). MENA WEF served as a subcontractor to the University of Michigan. This project aim was to strengthen Palestinian institutions and create more economic opportunities for Palestinian citizens living in the West Bank. Received $14,000 to co-design the two-week program, which included training and organizational visits in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and the greater Detroit area.
2025 MENA Youth Employment Summit (YES), Amman, Jordan
MENA YES is a solution-focused regional platform dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges affecting youth employment in the MENA region. The summit brought together stakeholders from across sectors to co-create innovative solutions and foster collaboration. Through expert panels, interactive sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions, participants explored diverse topics impacting youth employment and entrepreneurship. The two-day event concluded with the development of a shared action agenda, designed to drive meaningful improvements in youth employment outcomes across the region. MENA WEF leadership actively participated in the sessions and roundtable discussions, which led to many new
connections for potential collaboration in the region.