Seventeen water centres from 10 countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) came together in February-March 2011 to create the MENA Network of Water Centers of Excellence (MENA NWC). The launch of the network took place during a meeting co-sponsored by USAID and the Qatar National Food Security Program (QNFSP) held from 28 February to 2 March 2011 in Doha, Qatar.
The network aims to link technical institutions across the Middle East and North Africa with each other, with counterpart institutions in the United States and elsewhere, with governments, and with the private sector to solve the critical water problems confronting the region.
On 8 May 2011, USAID Egypt launched the US$ 1.5 million MENA Water Grants Program. The focus is on training, applied research and the dissemination of information to transform water policy, management and capabilities within the MENA region. The grants are available for activities lasting 12-24 months up to a maximum of US$ 500,000 per year. The deadline for applications is 15 June 2011.
Web site: MENA NWC – mena-nwc.net
Source: John Wilson, USAID Impact Blog, 10 Mar 2011
