OVERVIEW

Our work in the Middle East and North Africa

A regional overview

Our projects aim at supporting actors and institutions as well as efforts to overcome political and societal divisions through inclusive dialogue processes and consensus-building.

Destructive cycles of exclusion, violence and war have created deep insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa region, exacerbating pressure on the social fabric and fragile political institutions. Extremist groups are exploiting internal divisions to gain ground.

Yet there are numerous voices calling for dialogue, inclusive institutions and locally led approaches to address root causes of violent conflict and radicalisation.

Against this background, our projects aim at supporting these actors and institutions as well as efforts to overcome political and societal divisions through inclusive dialogue processes and consensus-building.

Our work in the region focuses on the following thematic areas:

Supporting inclusive dialogue formats to strengthen peace and transition processes in the region through mediation and consensus-building support with political parties, armed groups and other conflict stakeholders

Working with local institutions, religious authorities, academics and youth to contribute to locally-led efforts to strengthen tolerance, pluralism and moderation based on legitimacy and credibility vis-à-vis the rise of extremist discourses

Supporting the establishment of inclusive governance structures at national and local level

Current projects

Iraq: Building community resilience on climate and security risks
This project fosters local capacity, addresses climate-induced mobility, and promotes collaboration to tackle environmental and security challenges in the Kurdistan Region and Federal Iraq.
Iraq: Climate-focused mediation and peacebuilding in Iraq
This project focuses on climate-focused mediation and peacebuilding in different districts throughout Iraq.
Iraq: Strengthening enhanced climate and community resilience
This project builds climate resilience in Iraq by combining community solutions, sustainable infrastructure, and conflict-sensitive strategies to tackle climate security risks.
Iraq: Supporting state-citizen dialogue for resilient communities
This project strengthens climate resilience in Anbar, Iraq, by fostering dialogue, improving climate adaptation, and integrating conflict sensitivity to address climate and conflict challenges.
Lebanon: Inclusive local governance and vertical social cohesion
By bringing together government representatives, civil society and locals from 25 municipalities in Lebanon, we aim to empower communities to address local challenges.
Syria: Supporting inclusive dialogue for conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence
The project supports different Syrian stakeholders to develop ideas and initiatives that contribute to finding peaceful and sustainable solutions to the conflict in Syria.
The role of armed and political movements in the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325
Through participatory action research in Yemen, the project generates knowledge on how armed and political actors advance women’s protection and participation in territories under their control.
Women mediators in peaceful protest movements
We support female insider mediators in peaceful protest movements to enhance their conflict resolution capacities.
Yemen: Strengthening community safety in Yemen
This project aims to strengthen the safety of communities in Yemen through local dialogue.
Yemen: Strengthening inclusive local governance
The project supports mediation, local consultation, and dialogue in four Yemeni governorates and seeks to include local governance issues in the peace process.
Yemen: Yemen Political Dialogue Support Programme
The PDSP supports Yemeni and international efforts for a political solution that provides the basis to end the war, to resume an inclusive political dialogue, and to relaunch the political transition.

Past projects

Community resilience to violent extremism
The Berghof Foundation and the European Union are cooperating with Lebanese partners in supporting a multi-level dialogue process accompanied by funding for local initiatives.
Conflict resolution with Salafi-jihadi groups
The research project examined (de-)escalation trajectories of Salafi-jihadi armed groups and explored options and challenges for conflict resolution.
Iraq: Supporting climate-focused local-level dialogues In Iraq
Building on climate-focused mediation and peacebuilding, the project aims to support local-level dialogue to address climate security risks in Iraq.
Lebanon: Inclusive and national-level dialogue in Lebanon
The Berghof Foundation and the European Union are cooperating with Lebanese partners in supporting a multi-level dialogue process accompanied by funding for local initiatives
Lebanon: Safety nets against Sunni-Shia polarisation in Lebanon
This project aims to create forums and to establish safety nets which contribute to bridging divides and addressing mutual concerns and fears
Lebanon: Strengthening women's engagement in peace and security politics in Lebanon
The Berghof Foundation and UN Women are organising a two-track dialogue process for women holding high-level positions in traditional political parties and emerging political movements.
Lebanon: Supporting social media influencers in Lebanon
This project supports social media influencers to de-escalate social and political tensions and to engage in a dialogue to develop options for a new national vision in Lebanon.
Next leaders for peace training
Through networking and mentoring, the Berghof Foundation seeks to empower the upcoming leaders of non-governmental organisations working for peace and dialogue.
Peace Counts
Peace Counts is a unique combination of peace education and peace journalism. It began as an initiative of journalists who travelled to 30+ conflict regions to report about individuals making peace.
Supporting local dialogue and faith-based insider mediators
Local religious leaders and scholars play an active role in addressing root causes of radicalisation, promoting religious tolerance, and supporting peaceful coexistence on a local and national level
Syria: Supporting peaceful settlements in Syria
The project supports a diverse group of independent Syrians in developing conflict resolution options and provides space for dialogue with external power