Opportunities

CompetitionPetra National Trust (PNT), with the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan

An annual award recognising completed projects that conserve tangible, intangible or digital cultural heritage and benefit local communities. This round is open to NGOs, community groups, institutions, enterprises and individuals whose project took place in Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq or Saudi Arabia, and the first step is a short letter of interest.

Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi ArabiaGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia EU Medbridge

FundingGoumbook

A programme for researchers and innovators working on regenerative agriculture for conditions in the Middle East and North Africa: soil health, water scarcity, food security and climate resilience. Solutions must be grounded in research, science or nature based innovation, and both process and technology innovations qualify. Training, mentorship and grants for the finalists.

Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, MENA regionAgri techFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

ProgrammeIREX, with the U.S. Department of State

A funded leadership exchange from IREX and the U.S. Department of State: a three-month practicum with a U.S. host organisation, then a community project back home that grows the local economy. Open to experienced community leaders aged 27 to 39 from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia.

Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, TunisiaGeneralFor NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

ProgrammeObama Foundation

An eight-month virtual leadership journey with coaching, peer cohorts and conversations with thought leaders, for changemakers aged 24 to 45 with at least three years of experience in their field. Leaders Africa is open across the continent, including North Africa, and Leaders Europe includes Türkiye.

Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania, Djibouti, Comoros, TurkeyGeneralFor entrepreneurs and NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

ProgrammeInstitut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa), funded by the German Federal Foreign Office

Two to three months working inside a host organisation in Germany or a partner country, with mentoring, a transcultural workshop and an alumni network, for people with at least two years in a civil society organisation. Open to Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, the West Bank, Syria and Tunisia.

Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, TunisiaGeneralFor NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

ProgrammeCoady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University

A six-day, in-person course in Abuja from the Coady Institute for women leading community work in African civil society organisations. Accepted participants receive a bursary covering tuition and accommodation, but travel to the course is at their own cost.

Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, ComorosGeneralFor NGOsvia Opportunity Desk

ProgrammeLocal Development Research Institute (AI4D Research and Innovation for Climate Hub)

The Research and Innovation for Climate Hub is building a pipeline of African-led or Africa-based climate solutions that use AI or data and are already being piloted. Selected innovations may receive coaching, piloting partnerships, visibility and scaling grants. Expressions of interest are accepted year-round.

Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, Mauritania, Somalia, Djibouti, ComorosClimate adaptationFor entrepreneurs and NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia Opportunity Desk

EventSMEX

SMEX's annual gathering brings journalists, lawyers, technologists, researchers and civil society groups from across the region together for three days of sessions, workshops and conversations on digital rights. This year's theme, Realities Reimagined, looks at alternative infrastructures, governance models and community-centred technology.

Lebanon, MENA regionGeneralFor NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia SMEX

FundingDoria Feminist Fund

The Doria Feminist Fund supports feminist collectives, groups and organisations across the Middle East and North Africa, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. It offers core, project and knowledge-production grants covering gender-based violence prevention, economic empowerment, health and rights, legal reform and movement building. Registration is not required and unregistered collectives are welcome. Applications are accepted in Arabic, English or French.

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, YemenGeneralFor NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia Doria Feminist Fund

FundingU.S. Department of State, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Baghdad

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad accepts proposals on a rolling basis from Iraqi civil society organisations, cultural groups and academic institutions. Funded projects cover women and youth empowerment, environmental awareness, civic engagement, cultural exchange and media professionalism. Priority goes to Iraq-based applicants. There is no closing date, so proposals are reviewed as they arrive.

IraqGeneralFor NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia U.S. Embassy Baghdad

FundingSMEX

SMEX runs a rolling rapid-response fund for people and organisations protecting digital rights across West Asia and North Africa. It backs work countering censorship, surveillance, harmful platform moderation and attacks on online expression. Unusually, individuals, informal groups and unregistered collectives are eligible alongside established organisations, and there is no fixed application cycle so proposals can be submitted at any time.

Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, YemenGeneralFor NGOsRolling — no fixed datevia SMEX