Micro and small enterprises play a central role in Morocco’s economy, but youth face a number of challenges in entrepreneurship, including: the absence of a strong entrepreneurial culture; a lack of access to credit; lack of access to networks; low risk tolerance by both youth and financial stakeholders; and a lack of personalized coaching and support. The Empowering Youth through Entrepreneurship in Morocco (EYEM) project aims to fill this gap by providing training in entrepreneurship, business incubator support, and start-up grants to give young entrepreneurs (50 percent women) the tools they need to turn their ideas into profitable and sustainable businesses that are market oriented and scalable.

EYEM is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and implemented by the Near East Foundation (NEF) in partnership with the Moroccan Association for the Support and Promotion of Small Businesses (AMAPPE), the Moroccan Social Solidarity Economy Network (REMESS), and alAmana Microfinance.