In 2020, the U.S. Department of State hosted its 10th annual Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) project competition. AEIF supports alumni initiatives that promote shared values and innovative solutions to global challenges.
This year's AEIF theme centered on Women, Peace, and Security. More than 300 competitive applications were received from alumni teams of various U.S. government-funded and U.S. government-facilitated exchange programs, from all around the world.
The winner this year was announced to be the women's rights center MARTA, for the project Dare to Talk: Addressing Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence at Universities in Latvia.
The U.S. @StateDept named the Latvian NGO @centrsmarta a winner of the Alumni Engagement and Innovation Fund! We look forward to helping fund their project Dare to Talk: Addressing Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence at Universities in Latvia. #AEIF2020 #ExchangeAlumni pic.twitter.com/zUv83C9Cem
— US Embassy Riga (@USEmbassyRiga) August 22, 2020
MARTA was established 2000 in Latvia. MARTA provides social, judicial, psychological aid to violence victims, women and children in distress, organizes youth forums, discussions, and more.