The U.S. Middle-East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the State Department offers assistance, training, and support to groups and individuals striving to bring positive change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). MEPI works in 18 countries and territories, partnering with civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, youth and women activists, and private sector groups to advance their reform efforts. MEPI’s approach is bottom-up and grassroots, responding directly to local interests and needs.