COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update As the COVID-19 pandemic and public health responses to it evolve quickly, EFE has been taking steps to ensure the safety of our staff, trainers, and the youth we serve, while we adapt to ensure continuity of operations. In countries where we work, governments have closed schools and universities, restricted travel, and cancelled major gatherings. EFE's staff worldwide has shifted to remote work, and we have suspended training for an indefinite period. EFE continues to support youth across MENA, as we increase investment in online training, provide youth with reliable information on COVID-19 through our online reach to 1 million youth, and continue to improve operational systems. We are so pleased that EFE's donors and partners have shown great solidarity and flexibility during this unprecedented crisis as we work together on contingency planning. We thank you for your continued support to EFE's mission during this challenging time, and hope that you, your families, and friends are well.

The Velaj Foundation Pledges $100,000 Towards EFE’s Catalyst Fund, Representing $1 for Every EFE Graduate EFE is proud of our long-standing partnership with The Velaj Foundation, whose investments in EFE’s strategic priorities and operational capacity since 2013 have accelerated our growth with impact. To celebrate our 100K graduate milestone met last September, The Velaj Foundation has pledged an additional $100,000 in 2020, symbolizing $1 for every graduate, in support of EFE’s Catalyst Fund! The Foundation’s contribution to this Fund will continue to support high priority initiatives and operations, including innovation, communications, and videos to tell the stories of the transformative journeys of youth we serve.

#SheIsEFE: EFE By the Numbers

65% of EFE leadership are women. Let's hear their thoughts during Women's History Month:

Over 57% of EFE graduates are young women. EFE has placed 9,600 young women in jobs across MENA. Two-thirds of EFE employees are female across the EFE Network.

Coders, pharmacists, lab technicians, dental assistants, small business owners... Female EFE grads are these and so much more! To hear just a few of their stories, check out our EFE-NAMA Women Ambassadors!

Zineb's On The Job! Last year, EFE celebrated the graduation of Zineb, our 100,000th graduate, from EFE-Maroc's #Job_In_Tech program. Now, she's officially a member of the workforce! As we celebrate Women's History Month, let's take a minute to catch up with Zineb and see what she has to say about life on the job:

"I joined Atos one month and a half after the end of the #JOB_IN_TECH training, and it was a real relief and joy for me and my family. I finally have the pleasure of working in a field that suits me and [the chance] to live from my passion.’’

-Zineb Sidi El Khir

In case you missed it, hear Zineb tell her story:

We've loved celebrating Women's History Month with our partners... Partners including Accenture, Alwaleed Philanthropies, Boeing, Cartier Philanthropy, Citi Foundation, Emirates NBD, Fondation CHANEL, JP Morgan, Trafigura Foundation, and Western Union Foundation allow us to empower young women across the MENA region. We enjoyed highlighting our work together throughout Women's History Month with the #SheIsEFE campaign. Here are some of our favorite smiles: