Two new MEPPA grants announced during President Biden’s trip to the region

Earlier this week, President Biden announced two new grant recipients under the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) during his trip to the region. Awardees included ALLMEP member, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, for their work to improve collaboration in the health sector, and Appleseeds for their work developing tech leadership in the region.

The White House Briefing on President Biden’s visit to Bethlehem explained, “To build grassroots support for peace through an eventual negotiated two-state solution, President Biden will announce two new grants under the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA). MEPPA authorizes up to $250 million dollars over five years to implement projects led by both Israelis and Palestinians establishing the environment necessary to achieve long term peace. The first new grant, for $2.21 million to the Peres Center for Peace, will support collaboration and professional exchanges between the Palestinian and Israeli health sectors as they work to build mutual trust, confidence, and understanding between the two societies. The second new grant, for $5 million to Appleseeds, will provide young Palestinan and Israeli professionals the opportunity to work together and learn critical technology and leadership.”

The announcement was celebrated by USAID Administrator Samantha Power and USAID’s West Bank/Gaza office. Administrator Power tweeted, “The two new #MEPPA grants @POTUS announced will bring Israelis and Palestinians together to collaborate on projects that will improve regional healthcare & the technology sector. Passed by Congress in 2020, MEPPA is a crucial tool to build the foundation for a two-state solution.”

To learn about other MEPPA grantees, including ALLMEP members Tomorrow’s Youth and EcoPeace Middle East. Visit our website at, https://www.allmep.org/our-work/meppa/