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

Climate Resilience Awards for Business 2026

Apply now to showcase how your business is building resilience to climate change through real-world action and measurable impact.

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Learn more about GRP innovation grantees pitching climate solutions, impact, and investment opportunities.

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Community-led innovation restores degraded land while strengthening rural livelihoods

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A new joint paper from the Global Resilience Partnership and RAKSHA Intelligence Futures, published as the Global Partnerships Conference opens in London, argues that the binding constraint on resilience and adaptation finance now sits in the gap between knowing and acting.