Cablegate: Egypt: Mepi Small Grant Reporting
VZCZCXYZ0007
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHEG #6889/01 3201534
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161534Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2600
INFO RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 0521
UNCLAS CAIRO 006889
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR NEA/PI (MMOSER)
TUNIS FOR MEPI (MULREAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: MEPI SMALL GRANT REPORTING
REF: STATE 151114
1. Summary: In response to reftel, post is pleased to
report on the following 2005 MEPI-funded Small Grants, all of
which were awarded to NGOs based in Alexandria:
-- "Decentralization of Educational Tools towards Youth
Participation in Decision Making Process," implemented by
Sustainable Development Association (SDA).
-- "Awareness Campaign Against Private Lessons, the Major
Obstacles in the Educational Reform Process," implemented by
Egyptian Cognitive Center (ECC).
-- "Generating Women Leaders and Re-vitalizing their Role in
Society," implemented by the Future Businesswomen
Association. End summary.
2. "Decentralization of Educational Tools towards the Youth
Participation in Decision Making," completed in March 2006,
achieved the following results: three seminars, including a
Model United Nations for youth participants from MENA
countries, reaching a total of 527 students. One of the
sessions was organized as a simulation of the 2005 Egyptian
Presidential Elections to enhance youth participation in the
political process. This particular activity was not
mentioned in the original project proposal. Grantee was
effective in attracting media coverage for its activities;
however, they did not stress that it was MEPI-funded, due,
they claimed, to "political sensitivities." Flyers used to
announce the activities were distributed on Alexandria
University Campus and succeeded in attracting a large number
of university students to the events. This program directly
supports the MPP Strategic Goal of Democracy and Human
Rights.
3. Grantee implemented all planned activities in a timely
manner. However, the association was also the beneficiary of
a US Embassy Institutions of Democracy Working Group (IDWG)
grant for activities similar to the project funded by MEPI.
The Secretary General of the association emphasized to US
Embassy officers in Alexandria that the two activities were
distinct and not duplicative.
4. Grantee is a highly-motivated and generally
well-organized association with demonstrated ability to
connect with young, politically astute Egyptians. New
funding should be considered for innovative programs, but we
should coordinate with other possible donors before further
funding. The group is attracting funds from EU-based funding
organizations and may be saturated for funds, measured by
current capacity.
5. The "Awareness Campaign against Private Lessons Program,"
completed in June 2006, achieved the following results:
media attention focused on the practice of teachers requiring
students to pay tutorial fees for "optional" teaching
sessions that are held outside of class hours. Media groups
learned about the problem and ways to counter the phenomenon
at a conference that also addressed the media's role in
raising the awareness of the public about the economic,
educational, and social implications of the policy. The
grantee held six "listening" sessions with groups of primary
school teachers, parents, and Ministry of Education (MOE)
officials as the issue became a topic of public debate. A
final round of six workshops taught parents how to take a
more active role in their child's education. Parents learned
how to assess the cognitive level of their child, manage
behavior problems, and use stimulating teaching methods to
assist their children with their lessons at home. In
addition, over 300 students joined the discussion by
participating in an art contest focused on the theme of
students compelled to take private lessons in order to
receive passing grades. A closing conference included
officials of MOE, university professors, education officials,
members of the Alexandria Local Council, and editors of
national newspapers. Because of the success of this project,
the chairperson of the association was chosen to be a member
of the civil activities committee at the MOE, working to give
NGOs additional space to work freely in schools.
6. Grantee implemented all planned activities in a timely
manner and has the skills and capacity needed to implement
larger MEPI projects. We recommend considering additional
funding for the grantee, possibly to implement one of the
conference recommendations, to expand the participation of
parent committee groups in the basic education support
process. Post believes that could be an important project to
further the role of civil society and community involvement
in the education system.
7. As a result of the project, education authorities in
Alexandria now place greater value on the participation of
community and civil society groups in finding a solution to
the challenge of private lessons. This program directly
supported the MPP Strategic Goal of Education Reform.
8. The "Generating Women Leaders and Re-vitalizing their
Role in Society," project, completed in June 2006, resulted
in: issuance of national ID cards to 2,800 underprivileged
women enabling them to establish a business, receive
government health and education benefits, etc.; voter
registration of 2,996 women; advanced leadership training for
25 women; and workshops for 767 women to raise their
awareness of their political and social rights guaranteed
under the law. Due to the efficiency in implementing the
project, the National Council for Women in Cairo chose women
leaders trained in this project to continue their training in
the "Women's Political Rehabilitation" project administered
by the Council. This program directly supported the MPP
Strategic Goal of Democracy and Human Rights/Building Civil
Society.
9. Post is satisfied with the reporting provided by the
grantee, which included the success stories of two of the
women leaders trained in the project who intend to run in
local elections.
10. Grantee requested a one-month extension of the project
to follow-up on the training opportunities granted by the
National Council for Women to a number of women leaders that
originally benefited from the project. The grantee used an
excess amount of approximately USD 600 for this additional
activity. This sum includes an amount of approximately USD
350, from the USD 3000 allocated by MEPI for conference and
travel expenses. The grantee believes that they still need
formal approval from MEPI Tunis for this request. The
grantee wishes to use the remaining funds from the USD 3000
assigned for conference and travel activities for additional
activities to conduct three final training workshops for
administrators of election campaigns.
11. Post greatly appreciates the assistance of MEPI Tunis
with administering these grants.
RICCIARDONE