Capital Campaign

Accelerating the Future of Work

With your support, EFE is creating opportunities for unemployed youth to have a brighter future. Help us accelerate our impact to provide training and jobs that will transform their lives and future of the Middle East & North Africa.

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We believe that talent is universal, but opportunities are not. Youth face more hurdles to find employment in the MENA region than anywhere else on the planet. COVID-19 has deepened the unemployment crisis for youth and has created additional social and economic burdens, our mission is more relevant than ever.

Over the next three years,  EFE seeks to raise $3 million to scale with impact through enhanced programming, tech-enabled Network performance, and sustainability for impact. Education systems will incorporate EFE's model for youth employability. Hundreds of thousands of youth will have access to the world of work and a future with dignity.

Raised So Far

$

1,642,000

$0
$3,000,000
Donate Now

"After I graduated in 2016, I couldn't get a job. EFE's training turned my job prospects around 180°. Now I am working at one of the biggest consulting firms in the world and pursuing a master's degree in Data Science. EFE's Accelerating Opportunity Campaign will give so many youth like me the chance to build their futures."

Zaid Kasabeh, EFE-Jordan Graduate

Campaign Breakthroughs

We need your support in this campaign to achieve four key breakthroughs by 2025
500,000 youth connected to the world of work by 2025
1 in 4 youth in MENA are unemployed
Unleash the entrepreneurial ambitions of  5,000 youth
MENA has the fewest entrepreneurs in the world, yet they’re the main job creators in the region
Encourage systemic change in how youth are prepared for the labor market
Around 40% of university graduates in MENA are unemployed.
Develop revenue-generating pilots
Ensuring greater sustainability for our future

Campaign Priorities

Our campaign will accelerate EFE’s ability to innovate, leverage technology and scale impact in 3 priority areas. Spanning the services we provide youth, our infrastructure, and revenue generation to sustain our mission.
1

Programs

We will invest in innovative and high-quality training and content, business intelligence tools, curricula, technology, employer and alumni engagement, and support for entrepreneurs.

Learn More
2

Performance as a Network

We will create content to increase our visibility and brand awareness, scale data-gathering and analyses to spur greater youth outcomes, and further invest in digital transformation

Learn More
3

Sustainability of Impact

We will develop and scale revenue generation models, and build and diversify our pool of flexible funds for emergencies.

Learn More

Campaign Progress Report

EFE’s first-ever capital campaign, Accelerating the Future of Work is underway.

Since its launch, we have invested in our strategic priorities and are making headway to accelerate EFE’s ability to innovate, leverage technology and scale impact.

Thanks to your support, we have raised over 55% of our $3 million goal to date and have been able to start investing in our strategic priorities.

Complete
Alumni Summit

Planning is underway for the Virtual Alumni Summit 2023 to connect EFE graduates and amplify the power of the next generation.

Complete
Entrepreneurship Curricula Development

We developed and piloted core entrepreneurship curricula to establish an innovative and market-driven programming.

Complete
Algeria Salesforce Roll Out

The roll out of Salesforce in Algeria is in its final stages.

In Progress
Alumni Ambassadors

We are building a network of EFE graduates to speak about the challenges in the region and their experience with EFE at external events.

In Progress
Mentorship Program

To better assist our alumni in their transition to the workplace, we are implementing a network-wide roll out of our recently piloted mentorship program.

Complete
Alumni Summit

Planning is underway for the Virtual Alumni Summit 2023 to connect EFE graduates and amplify the power of the next generation.

Complete
360° Supporter Engagement

We are implementing an improved e-marketing platform unifying Salesforce, Google Analytics, Zoom and social media data to elevate communications.

In Progress
Digital Storage Management

We are optimizing EFE’s file architecture and will be migrating EFE's data to enhance the Network's efficiency.

Complete
Safeguarding Policy

We have made improvements to update EFE’s Safeguarding policy and are implementing it across the Network Staff, participants and partners.

Complete
“The Future Is Now“ Ambassadors

Two EFE graduates amplified EFE’s mission at events in September 2022. View Highlights

In Progress
Digital Uplift

We are redesigning EFE’s main and Affiliate websites to modernize the experience and establish stronger brand uniformity across the Network.

Complete
Core Entrepreneurship Curricula

We are rolling out our new core entrepreneurship curricula to all EFE Affiliates.

Complete
Women's Entrepreneurship

EFE launched the "Elevate with EFE" women’s entrepreneurship competition, which awarded nine women small business owners with $1,000 each in seed funding to cover their business start-up costs.

Complete
Mentorship Pilots

Our first-ever Global mentorship pilots were rolled out in Palestine and Morocco.

In Progress
We are starting to build out tech-enabled internal systems in Salesforce to enable us to scale the mentorship program.
Scaling Mentorship Programs

We have designed tech-enabled internal systems in Salesforce, enabling us to scale the mentorship program across the EFE Network.

In Progress
Identifying In-Demand Jobs

We are investing in the business intelligence platform, LinkedIn Talent Insights, helping us identify jobs and skills needed in emerging sectors such as the green economy, IT and freelancing.

In Progress
Automating Data Capture

We have automated features in Salesforce to support increased efficiency, including youth pre-training questionnaires, employer feedback surveys, alumni event management, and attendance tracking at job fairs.

Complete
COVID-19 Recovery

We conducted research & published “COVID-19 and Youth Employment in Jordan and Palestine: Impacts, Opportunities, and a Way Forward”. The UN Office for OCHA and the World Bank have shared the report on their websites.

Complete
Preparing MENA Youth for Their Next Gig

Our recommendations in “Preparing MENA Youth for Their Next Gig” are featured on the ILO’s Decent Jobs for Youth Blog.

Complete
“Creating Futures” Ambassadors

Two EFE Graduates and EFE-Jordan CEO represented EFE at fundraising events in May 2023. View Highlights

Complete
For-Profit Models

The Global team supported the launch of for-profit models in Morocco and Tunisia and created defined sustainability models for each Affiliate.

In Progress
Expansion to Lebanon

In order to increase our reach to serve more youth in MENA, we have begun feasibility outreach for potential expansion to Lebanon.

Complete
Alumni Summit

Planning is underway for the Virtual Alumni Summit 2023 to connect EFE graduates and amplify the power of the next generation.

Complete
Entrepreneurship Curricula Development

We developed and piloted core entrepreneurship curricula to establish an innovative and market-driven programming.

Complete
Algeria Salesforce Roll Out

The roll out of Salesforce in Algeria is in its final stages.

Complete
Alumni Summit

Planning is underway for the Virtual Alumni Summit 2023 to connect EFE graduates and amplify the power of the next generation.

Complete
360° Supporter Engagement

We are implementing an improved e-marketing platform unifying Salesforce, Google Analytics, Zoom and social media data to elevate communications.

Complete
Safeguarding Policy

We have made improvements to update EFE’s Safeguarding policy and are implementing it across the Network Staff, participants and partners.

Complete
“The Future Is Now“ Ambassadors

Two EFE graduates amplified EFE’s mission at events in September 2022. View Highlights

Complete
Core Entrepreneurship Curricula

We are rolling out our new core entrepreneurship curricula to all EFE Affiliates.

Complete
Women's Entrepreneurship

EFE launched the "Elevate with EFE" women’s entrepreneurship competition, which awarded nine women small business owners with $1,000 each in seed funding to cover their business start-up costs.

Complete
Mentorship Pilots

Our first-ever Global mentorship pilots were rolled out in Palestine and Morocco.

Complete
COVID-19 Recovery

We conducted research & published “COVID-19 and Youth Employment in Jordan and Palestine: Impacts, Opportunities, and a Way Forward”. The UN Office for OCHA and the World Bank have shared the report on their websites.

Complete
Preparing MENA Youth for Their Next Gig

Our recommendations in “Preparing MENA Youth for Their Next Gig” are featured on the ILO’s Decent Jobs for Youth Blog.

Complete
“Creating Futures” Ambassadors

Two EFE Graduates and EFE-Jordan CEO represented EFE at fundraising events in May 2023. View Highlights

Complete
For-Profit Models

The Global team supported the launch of for-profit models in Morocco and Tunisia and created defined sustainability models for each Affiliate.

In Progress
Alumni Ambassadors

We are building a network of EFE graduates to speak about the challenges in the region and their experience with EFE at external events.

In Progress
Mentorship Program

To better assist our alumni in their transition to the workplace, we are implementing a network-wide roll out of our recently piloted mentorship program.

In Progress
Digital Storage Management

We are optimizing EFE’s file architecture and will be migrating EFE's data to enhance the Network's efficiency.

In Progress
Digital Uplift

We are redesigning EFE’s main and Affiliate websites to modernize the experience and establish stronger brand uniformity across the Network.

In Progress
We are starting to build out tech-enabled internal systems in Salesforce to enable us to scale the mentorship program.
Scaling Mentorship Programs

We have designed tech-enabled internal systems in Salesforce, enabling us to scale the mentorship program across the EFE Network.

In Progress
Identifying In-Demand Jobs

We are investing in the business intelligence platform, LinkedIn Talent Insights, helping us identify jobs and skills needed in emerging sectors such as the green economy, IT and freelancing.

In Progress
Automating Data Capture

We have automated features in Salesforce to support increased efficiency, including youth pre-training questionnaires, employer feedback surveys, alumni event management, and attendance tracking at job fairs.

In Progress
Expansion to Lebanon

In order to increase our reach to serve more youth in MENA, we have begun feasibility outreach for potential expansion to Lebanon.

Complete
Alumni Summit

Planning is underway for the Virtual Alumni Summit 2023 to connect EFE graduates and amplify the power of the next generation.

Complete
Alumni Summit

Planning is underway for the Virtual Alumni Summit 2023 to connect EFE graduates and amplify the power of the next generation.

Complete
Mentorship Pilots

Our first-ever Global mentorship pilots were rolled out in Palestine and Morocco.

In Progress
Mentorship Program

To better assist our alumni in their transition to the workplace, we are implementing a network-wide roll out of our recently piloted mentorship program.

In Progress
We are starting to build out tech-enabled internal systems in Salesforce to enable us to scale the mentorship program.
Scaling Mentorship Programs

We have designed tech-enabled internal systems in Salesforce, enabling us to scale the mentorship program across the EFE Network.

Complete
Core Entrepreneurship Curricula

We are rolling out our new core entrepreneurship curricula to all EFE Affiliates.

Complete
Entrepreneurship Curricula Development

We developed and piloted core entrepreneurship curricula to establish an innovative and market-driven programming.

Complete
Women's Entrepreneurship

EFE launched the "Elevate with EFE" women’s entrepreneurship competition, which awarded nine women small business owners with $1,000 each in seed funding to cover their business start-up costs.

Complete
Core Entrepreneurship Curricula

We are rolling out our new core entrepreneurship curricula to all EFE Affiliates.

Complete
Entrepreneurship Curricula Development

We developed and piloted core entrepreneurship curricula to establish an innovative and market-driven programming.

Complete
Women's Entrepreneurship

EFE launched the "Elevate with EFE" women’s entrepreneurship competition, which awarded nine women small business owners with $1,000 each in seed funding to cover their business start-up costs.

Complete
COVID-19 Recovery

We conducted research & published “COVID-19 and Youth Employment in Jordan and Palestine: Impacts, Opportunities, and a Way Forward”. The UN Office for OCHA and the World Bank have shared the report on their websites.

Complete
Preparing MENA Youth for Their Next Gig

Our recommendations in “Preparing MENA Youth for Their Next Gig” are featured on the ILO’s Decent Jobs for Youth Blog.

Complete
Safeguarding Policy

We have made improvements to update EFE’s Safeguarding policy and are implementing it across the Network Staff, participants and partners.

In Progress
Alumni Ambassadors

We are building a network of EFE graduates to speak about the challenges in the region and their experience with EFE at external events.

In Progress
Digital Uplift

We are redesigning EFE’s main and Affiliate websites to modernize the experience and establish stronger brand uniformity across the Network.

Complete
“Creating Futures” Ambassadors

Two EFE Graduates and EFE-Jordan CEO represented EFE at fundraising events in May 2023. View Highlights

Complete
“The Future Is Now“ Ambassadors

Two EFE graduates amplified EFE’s mission at events in September 2022. View Highlights

In Progress
Expansion to Lebanon

In order to increase our reach to serve more youth in MENA, we have begun feasibility outreach for potential expansion to Lebanon.

Complete
For-Profit Models

The Global team supported the launch of for-profit models in Morocco and Tunisia and created defined sustainability models for each Affiliate.

Spotlight Impact Metrics

180,000+
Youth Connected To
The World Of Work
430
Youth Signed Up
For Mentorship
10
Processes Fully Transitioned
to Salesforce
Raised So Far

$

1,642,000

$0
$3,000,000
Donate NowBack
Raised So Far

$

1,077,000

$0
$3,000,000
Donate Now

Why Give

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Donor 1
Example

Hear from Our Supporters

EFE is the leading nonprofit in the Middle East and North Africa creating tangible outcomes for youth. We have over 3,700 employer partners and donors who are transforming the future with us.
“There is a tremendous need to unlock the potential of societies, and EFE is working to create this kind of positive change in the Middle East and North Africa.”
Clarissa Ward
CNN
“[Ron] shows up everyday with gratitude and he's building EFE with an infinite mindset. There is no end to this game, its about improving the lives of young people so they can make a profound impact on their families lives, in their nation’s lives and it is an opportunity completely change nation states because of an infinite mindset.”
Simon Sinek
Author & TED Speaker
“Rarely do you find an organization that gives youth an opportunity to get a job. I’ve seen how the staff works really hard on securing partnerships with employers to prepare youth to actually get a job in the end, so the return on investment is huge.”
Mariam Farag
MBC

We Thank Our Believers

100k+
Sustainability Tier
Bechtel Group Foundation Anonymous Anonymous
50k+
Innovation Tier
Air Products Anonymous Anonymous
25k+
Next Gen Tier
Agility Tariq & Carla Hassan The Velaj Foundation Western Union Foundation Anonymous Anonymous
5k+
Multiplier Tier
Alton Frye, Presidential Senior Fellow Emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations Laura Osman, Amunet Advisors Zineb Guessous, Almena Partners Anonymous Anonymous
1k+
Growth Tier
Andrea Brentan Andrew Baird Jasmine Nahhas di Florio Anonymous Anonymous

Your Impact

Gifts above $50,000 x 3 years will be matched by the Bruder Family Foundation, established by EFE Founder & Chair, Ron Bruder.

Campaign Tiers

We greatly value contributions at any level.

Sustainability Tier - $100,000+
Innovation Tier - $50,000-99,999
Next Gen Tier - $25,000-49,000
Multiplier Tier - $5,000-24,999
Growth Tier - $1,000-4,999

Join our mission

Help us secure $3M in catalytic investment by 2025

Donate Now

More about us

Our Mission

EFE addresses the unemployment gap that youth face with a demand-driven model focused on employment to bring young people into the workforce.

EFE is distinctive in creating local nonprofits across MENA, connected through a network that combines local and global expertise.
What we do?

First, we analyze local labor markets and talk to employers to understand where there is demand for entry-level employees, and what skills they need. Then, we create targeted youth training programs that link youth to employment or the wider world of work and support entrepreneurs to start small businesses

Who Makes it possible?

Partnerships with thousands of companies, education institutions, and donors enable us to offer world-class curricula to our trainees, and job placements and other follow-on support to our graduates.

How are we structured?

We achieve impact through our network of locally-run EFE Affiliates in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia; with support hubs in the US, Europe and the UAE.

Our Model

EFE began with the idea that the value of a job could change the MENA region.
It all started with EFE's first program in 2006 in Gaza.

Our Impact

Connecting Women to Jobs
Only 18% of women in the Arab world participate in the labor force, the lowest rate in the world. Women’s exclusion costs the region $575 billion a year.
Only 18% of women in the Arab world participate in the labor force, the lowest rate in the world. Women’s exclusion costs the region $575 billion a year.
59%
EFE’s graduates are young women.
70k+
Female EFE graduates have been connected to the world of work.
Connecting Refugees to Jobs
There are over 26 million refugees in the world. MENA generates and hosts the majority of them.
EFE trains refugees from Iraq, Libya, Syria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen, and opens the door to work so they can support their families and contribute to their host communities.
2.1k+
Syrian refugees trained
Unleashing Entrepreneurship
MENA has the fewest entrepreneurs in the world, yet they are the main job creators in the region. Entrepreneurs could create up to 8 million jobs in the region by 2025, if funded.
EFE supports young entrepreneurs by preparing them to become self-employed, start micro enterprises, and connect alumni to
7.5k
Aspiring entrepreneurs have been trained.

Network Leadership

EFE's leadership reflects global and local insights and expertise.
Ron Bruder
Board Chair
Anis Aclimandos
Carol Bellamy
Andrea Brentan
Mary Lee Dedinsky
Abed El Jaouni
Alton Frye
Tariq Hassan
Samer Khoury
Nayla Rizk
Noor Sweid
Yorick van Slingelandt
Karthik Venkataraman
Zineb Guessous
Luay Abu-Ghazaleh
Cynthia Muller
Zahid Afzal
Robert Dinerstein
Andrew Macken
John Mannix
Dilip Massand
Kevin Matossian
Katherine Parr
Zainab Salbi
Alex Velaj
Ambassador Frank Wisner
Omar Wohabe
Amira Annabi
Isha Mehmood
Andrea Brentan
Andrew Baird
Ron Bruder
Hassan Damluji
J Christer Elfverson
Cristina Manzano
Cynthia Muller
Nisrine H. Shawwa
Giuseppe Tringali
HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
Honorary Chair
Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout
Arda Atalay
HE Reem Abdel Rahim BinKaram
Mariam Farag
Raza Jafar
Yogesh Mehta
Hamdi Osman
Karim Seifeddine
Andrew Baird
Ana Martiningui
Dima Najim
Jasmine Nahhas di Florio
Saro Nakashian
Houda Barakate
Ameen Alqadri
Nora Abou El Seoud
Ghadeer Khuffash
Lamia Chaffai
Aniss Benyoucef

Our Story

EFE began with the idea that the value of a job could change the MENA region.
It all started with EFE's first program in 2006 in Gaza.

Our Success Stories

EFE's graduates build their futures in a variety of sectors such as retail, hospitality,  food and beverage, tech, and health care.

They become coders, engineers, nurses, entrepreneurs, oil rig technicians, bankers, and more.
Issam spent four years looking for work despite having multiple college degrees. Now he is working as a Software Developer.
Issam
Software Developer
At only 15 years old, Mohammad was forced to confront the terror of war and flee from Syria to Zarqa-Jordan with his family of six. Now he is a chef assistant at a high-end restaurant in Amman and pursuing a bachelor's degree in Media and Journalism.
Mohammad
Chef Assistant
Alqam faced challenges finding work after graduating. He registered for a Life Readiness Training which prepared him to become a freelance interior designer.
Aqlam
Freelance Designer
After graduating, Hazar struggled to find a job. Seven years later, she works at Najah Hospital in Nablus and was recently promoted to Senior Nurse.
Hazar
Nurse Najah Hospitals
EFE addresses the unemployment gap that youth face with a demand-driven model focused on employment to bring young people into the workforce.

EFE is distinctive in creating local nonprofits across MENA, connected through a network that combines local and global expertise.
What we do?

First, we analyze local labor markets and talk to employers to understand where there is demand for entry-level employees, and what skills they need. Then, we create targeted youth training programs that link youth to employment or the wider world of work and support entrepreneurs to start small businesses

Who Makes it possible?

Partnerships with thousands of companies, education institutions, and donors enable us to offer world-class curricula to our trainees, and job placements and other follow-on support to our graduates.

How are we structured?

We achieve impact through our network of locally-run EFE Affiliates in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia; with support hubs in the US, Europe and the UAE.