Near East Foundation (NEF)

Helping build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, community organizing, and economic development

The Near East Foundation helps build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, community organizing, and economic development.

For nearly 100 years, the Near East Foundation has pioneered innovative solutions to social and economic development challenges impacting communities throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Headquartered in Syracuse, NY, and engaged in a strategic partnership with Syracuse University, NEF is an operational non-governmental organization (NGO) with current programs in nine countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Senegal,  Sudan, and Syria.

In these countries and throughout the region, we work with local partners to directly improve the lives of tens of thousands of vulnerable people each year through initiatives in sustainable agriculture, microenterprise development, women’s empowerment, civic education, and peacebuilding.

Latest news and articles

Community-Based Organisations’ impact: Why partnering with CBOs is crucial for sustainable agriculture

In this blog, Ashley Mutiso, Co-founder of Itanya Africa Group, a RAIN Challenge winner, details training sessions with local farmers, where they shared sustainable agricultural practices and learned from the farmers' expertise.

Exploring equitable resilience in Southern Africa: Insights from Group Concept Mapping

The Disaster Risk working group, one of the Southern African Resilience Academy's working groups, unpacks Group Concept Mapping (GCM), its importance, challenges, and application in the Southern African context

Global South Talent Pool: Empowering young professionals for resilient futures

We’re looking for three young professionals to join the Global South Talent Pool. Apply today!

GRP announces new CEO: Jesper Hörnberg

Jesper Hörnberg has been selected as the new CEO of the Global Resilience Partnership, leading the partnership in its next phase. 

The power of multi-disciplinary learning to accelerate change and drive impact

SARA's Gender Transformative Group shares their reflection on being part of the academy. Join the SARA Knowledge Exchange in Stellenbosch from 10-12 July.