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MENAMiddle East / North Africa / Mediterranean region / Europe

EU Provides €10 Million Grant for Women's Employment in MENA

At a high-level roundtable held during the UN General Assembly, the European Commission announced a €10 million grant to create 500,000 jobs for women in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on sectors including clean energy, climate adaptation, science and technology, and the care economy. The EU also supports micro-businesses and households through the SANAD fund, which has supported 500,000 jobs, over a third held by women. The EU said it will work with governments and regulators across the Mediterranean to improve access to finance for women and women-led businesses.

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Impact and considerations

Only one in five women in MENA is employed, one of the lowest rates globally. EU funding and policy support could improve labor supply and the business environment in the region, offering talent and financing considerations for companies operating or expanding there.

Key points

  • The European Commission announced a €10 million grant to create 500,000 jobs for women in MENA.
  • Jobs span key sectors including clean energy, climate adaptation, science and technology, and the care economy.
  • The EU partners with KfW to support the SANAD fund, which provides finance to micro-businesses and households; the fund has supported 500,000 jobs, over a third held by women.
  • The EU is working with governments and regulators across the Mediterranean to improve access to finance for women and women-led businesses.
  • The Surging Women Employment Initiative aims to boost women's employment in the region by 5% by 2030.
  • The EU welcomed support from Spain and Sweden and encouraged more partners to join the coalition.

Sources and time

Primary source
European Commission
Other sources
0
First source publication
23 Sept 2026, 06:00
Page published
24 Sept 2026, 18:40
Last updated
23 Sept 2026, 06:00
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