Leading Companies Online Magazine Archives
Middle East Entrepreneur Training Continues Through a Major Grant Extension
By Emily Meyertholen, Beyster Institute Staff
The Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET) program, managed by the Beyster Institute since 2004, has developed a powerful corps of some of the region’s most successful and high-potential entrepreneurs, business executives and civil society leaders. Because of the program’s continued success, the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) recently granted the Institute $1.5 million in additional funding to continue the MEET program.
The Institute initially designed the MEET program to encourage and equip a select group of businesspeople to grow their companies and economies through intensive training and networking programs. Sine then the Institute has already received a total of over $8 million to continue that program and manage additional entrepreneurship projects for the MENA region.
Today, MEET has grown to include “Mini-MBA” programs throughout the region, specialized training for the leaders of civil society organizations, high-profile events for the region’s women entrepreneurs, and a strong network of over 250 MEET alumni who continue to extend the program’s mission through their own partnerships and programs. At a unique event early this month, the region’s CSO and business leaders will meet to determine common goals, pool resources, and plan for positive economic and social change in the region. Also through funding from MEPI, the Institute established eight MENA businesswomen’s “hubs” which serve as regional training and networking resources for women business leaders.
"The MEET program continues to be a very important part of our regional strategy," says Sonia Franceski, Economic Pillar Manager of the U.S. Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative. "Entrepreneurship and strong organizational management are key in building strong communities and economies, and this program is producing great results by inspiring those practices throughout the region."
The extended program period of October 2007 through August 2008 will include four additional MEET training programs in the MENA region (one of which is specifically for CSO leaders) and a networking and development event for MEET alumni.
©2007 The Beyster Institute and its authors and their entities. All rights reserved.
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