The United States has long supported a prosperous, stable and democratic Middle East and North Africa. The government of the United States is committed to helping develop a region that is at peace and that actively participates in the free exchange of ideas, goods and services.

Since its creation in 2005, USAID’s Office of Middle East Programs, located in Cairo, Egypt, carries out programs to address regional and cross-border issues in USAID’s presence countries. It also serves as a regional hub, providing technical assistance to client USAID missions in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The Office of Middle East Programs focuses on three priority areas:

-Creating a Culture of Democracy

-Empowering Youth

-Transforming the Culture and Governance of Water

Most of the programs are strengthened by partnerships with businesses and local organizations that bring additional expertise and resources. Activities are implemented through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements and usually follow an open call for proposals to solicit applications. In some cases USAID accepts unsolicited applications based on a review by a technical committee that considered the application unique, innovative, or proprietary, and fits within a strategic objective.