In December 2020, Congress passed the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, or MEPPA, with bipartisan support. The Act directs USAID and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, in coordination with the Department of State, to program $250 million over five years to build the foundation for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians through a new Partnerships for Peace Fund, managed by USAID, and a Joint Investment Initiative, managed by the DFC.
The Act serves as a recognition that economic, social, and political connections between Israelis and Palestinians is the best way to foster mutual understanding and provide the strongest basis for a sustainable, two-state solution. USAID’s Middle East Bureau has been working with Congress, interagency colleagues, and partners in Israel and the Palestinian territories to implement the Act. The Act also calls for the establishment of a board to advise USAID on the strategic direction of the Partnership for Peace Fund.
Composed of up to 15 members, the PPF Advisory Board includes development experts, private sector leaders and faith-based leaders who are appointed by members of Congress and the USAID Administrator. As stated in its charter, the Board's role is:
To consult with, provide information to and advise USAID, and other U.S. Government agencies, as appropriate, on matters and issues relating to the People-to-People Partnership for Peace Fund, including on:
the efficacy of United States and international support for grassroots, people-to-people efforts aimed at fostering tolerance, countering extremist propaganda and incitement in the State of Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza;
strengthening engagement between Palestinians and Israelis, including through people-to-people peace-building programs to increase the bonds of friendship and understanding;
investing in cooperation that develops the Palestinian economy and results in joint economic ventures;
To make recommendations on the types of projects USAID should seek to further the purposes of the People-to-People Partnership for Peace Fund;
To make recommendations on partnerships with foreign governments and international organizations to leverage the impact of People-to-People Partnership for Peace Fund; and
To inform USAID’s required reporting to the appropriate Congressional committees.
For details on the structure, governance, and reporting of the Board, please refer to the Federal Advisory Committee Act page here.
BOARD MEMBERS:
- Chair: The Honorable George R. Salem
- The Honorable Elliott Abrams
- Farah Bdour
- Rabbi Angela Buchdahl
- Rabbi Michael M. Cohen
- Sander Gerber
- Ambassador Mark Green (ret.)
- Hiba Husseini
- Heather Johnston
- Harley Lippman
- The Honorable Nita M. Lowey
- Dina Powell McCormick
- Nikolay Mladenov
- Jen Stewart
- The Honorable Robert Wexler
BOARD MEETINGS:
- 08/24/2023 PPF Advisory Board Meeting
- 10/27/2022 PPF Advisory Board Meeting
- 04/13/2022 PPF Advisory Board Meeting
PPF Advisory Board meetings are held twice a year and are public. All meetings will be posted on the public registry at least 15 calendar days before each meeting. More information about how USAID is implementing MEPPA to increase people-to-people partnerships between Israelis and Palestinians is available at: https://www.usaid.gov/west-bank-and-gaza/meppa
If you have any questions about the PPF Advisory Board, please contact MEPPA@usaid.gov.
