Region: Middle East & North Africa
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Holding hope in a time of war
How Palestinian civic actors continue to build agency and hope As war continues to impact everyday life in the occupied Palestinian territory, civic space is under growing pressure. Movement is restricted, while fear and surveillance are part of daily reality. Public trust in institutions also continues to erode. Amid these challenges, Palestinian civil society organizations…
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Hivos statement on the escalating war and attacks across the SWANA region
Hivos calls for the immediate protection of civilians in the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region and for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law. Attacks on civilians and key infrastructure, the use of indiscriminate weapons, and the collective punishment of populations must end. We stand in solidarity with and act to support…
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Safety as a foundation for advocacy
Safety and security of human rights activists and people who work in civil society organizations has always been a key consideration in programming. Yet, it is one of the most misunderstood and neglected when it comes to budgeting and availing resources for activists to support themselves. Having worked with activists and frontrunners of social change…
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Hivos project in Palestine defends civic space with four local partners
In a world unsettled by change, conflict, and uncertainty, where civil society and its voices face powerful opposing forces, something important is taking root in the occupied Palestinian territory.
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Looking back at the Voices for Just Climate Action program in Tunisia
The Voices for Just Climate Action program in Tunisia has just ended. While the program’s work in other countries continues for a few more months, we’re looking back at its results in Tunisia. Program Manager Essia Guezzi experienced it from beginning to end; we’ve asked her to share its achievements and her insights with us.…
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Powering MENA’s green transition: Hivos to host 2nd Green Growth Summit
Building on the first Green Growth Summit’s success, Hivos is hosting the region’s most pioneering changemakers for the second consecutive year in Cairo on June 16.
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Artivism: putting art at the center of climate justice in Tunisia
In the far South of Tunisia – where environmental degradation meets systemic neglect – a powerful form of resistance is taking shape. Through dance, photography, performance art, and other disciplines, Danseurs Citoyens Sud (DCS) shows art can also be an excellent tool of transformation, learning, and advocacy for climate justice. Voices for Just Climate Action…
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From local roots to global reach: women-led Tunisian startups blaze a trail
In a vibrant and evolving entrepreneurial arena, two Tunisian startup founders embody a new generation of entrepreneurs, combining innovation, resilience, and a bold international outlook. Coming from very different sectors – e-commerce and agritech – Dabchy and Seabex are both driven by a fierce desire to turn local initiatives into global ventures with impact. Supported…
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Breakthrough for energy democracy in Tunisia
Parliamentarians slam government renewable energy violations In March 2025, 86 deputies from Tunisia’s Assembly of the People’s Representatives issued a public statement accusing the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy of numerous legal and procedural violations in its management of renewable energy projects. This has put the growing demand for greater transparency, energy sovereignty, and…
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A board game to engage Tunisian youth in climate challenges
Climate change has a profound impact on youth in Tunisia, affecting their education, job opportunities, and living conditions. Water shortages and agricultural decline are forcing many young people to leave rural areas in search of work, while their exclusion from decision-making processes limits their ability to drive change. However, Tunisian Youth Impact (TYI) is working…
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GreenWorks: empowering youth and building green economies in North Africa
It all started in 2020, when the world came to a halt. As countries locked down and economies faltered, youth unemployment in North Africa soared. All the while, the region’s fragile ecosystems continued to face unprecedented challenges. Hivos stepped up to the challenge and launched GreenWorks, a unique green initiative that also targeted youth unemployment.…
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Lebanese women at AWID Forum call for systemic funding changes
By Mariam Khalaf, Hivos – We Lead MENA From December 2 to 5, feminists from all over the world gathered in Bangkok for the AWID Forum. This global conference offers a space for activists to connect, learn and grow. I run the We Lead program in the MENA region and I attended the conference with…