Aya Dowara

According to the CAPMAS 2023, 50 % of the Egyptian population are children or adolescents, falling within the age cohort 0-24. This presents a decline compared to 2022 data, where children and youth aged 0–24 years accounted for 53% of the total population. This is attributed to the decline in crude birth rate (CBR) and total fertility rate (TFR) observed in Egypt during recent years, where TFR declined from 3.5 births per woman in 2014 to 2.85 births in 2021.

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I’m truly happy to see colleagues who previously worked in the humanitarian sector now joining the Syrian government offices in different positions and roles. Having professionals who bring strong humanitarian principles, field experience, and people-centered approaches into government institutions will undoubtedly add great value. Their expertise can help strengthen public service delivery and ensure that policies and programs are more responsive to the needs of communities. This transition reflects a positive step toward bridging humanitarian experience with public sector leadership, ultimately benefiting both the people and the country. Wishing everyone and my Syria the best of luck . #Syria

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📢 Oxfam in Iraq has launched phase two of the Iraq CSO Solidarity Fund to support organizations affected by USG funding cuts.

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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with the UN Development Programme, UNDP, are working on the 80-designated Priority Areas of Return and Re-Integration (PARRs) which are part of UNHCR’s Community-based Protection and Solutions Programme Response (Co-PROSPER) strategy and UNDP’s Area-Based Approach for Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI). 🎥- AB

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🌐 Over the last few years, I have seen firsthand how aid cuts have been affecting the development community, particularly those who need it most. That is why I am excited to share that I am working with DARPE as the Digital Marketing and Communications Manager! 🔹 DARPE is a platform for individual consultants, consulting agencies, and NGOs to find grants and tenders in the development field. We focus particularly on the MENA region and are working to fill the gaps left by aid cuts. If you or your organization is looking for new funding sources and you keep coming up short, shoot me a message; DARPE can help! #development #consultants #aid #funding #DARPE

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What happens when young advocates truly understand how the national budget works? This new video from the International Budget Partnership follows Hani Awad, a teacher and youth activist in Jordan, whose journey shows the shift that budget literacy can unlock. Through training delivered by the Arab Network for Civic Education, young advocates moved from submitting policy demands disconnected from fiscal realities to analyzing the Ministry of Education’s budget and building credible, evidence-based cases for investment. Watch the full story below 📽️ ------------- BEHIND-THE-SCENES SIDE NOTE 🎬 : It was quite a unique experience to be part of the collaborative team behind this video's production, because I spoke zero Arabic! 😅 So, I think it's worth documenting and sharing some quick reflections from this exercise: 1. Good storytelling is always collaborative, but multi-language storytelling makes that collaboration non-negotiable. Working in Arabic, a language I do not speak with an alphabet I cannot read, required deep trust in partners, translators, and reviewers. AI can help, but only up to a certain extent! 2. Precision matters even more when you can’t rely on instinct. When you don’t understand the language, you can’t “feel” if something is slightly off. That means double-checking timestamps, confirming cuts, reviewing multiple rounds, and asking more questions than usual. It slowed our process, but it also made it stronger. 3. It’s challenging, yes, but I have deep respect and appreciation for this process. Stories carry a different weight and resonate more with local stakeholders when they are told in the language of the protagonists--the people and partners that are featured in the narrative. It preserves nuance, dignity, and authenticity. So, huge thanks to Emad Emam, our IBP Programs focal point, and our partner, Abeer Tamimi Darwazeh, for guiding this process. This one truly took a team. Cheers to the first of many more Arabic videos to come!

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As a Rotary Peace Fellow dedicated to advancing peace, human rights, and inclusive societies, I am delighted to announce the launch of the implementation phase of my six-month Social Change Initiative (SCI): “Media and Information Literacy: Promoting Sustainable Peace and Justice in Jordan.” This initiative, implemented in partnership with ICON for Sustainable Development and with the support of Rotary International, is a localized effort designed to: To empower young people and communities with the knowledge and skills to critically assess, produce, and share information responsibly, thereby contributing to a healthier information environment that resists disinformation, fake news, and hate speech. This phase focuses on equipping young journalists with the skills, resources, and platforms needed to design and disseminate media content that counters disinformation, fake news, and hate speech while promoting critical thinking and peace-oriented values. The initiative lays the foundation for sustainable youth engagement in peacebuilding and responsible media practices across Jordan and potentially the wider MENA region. The Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center at Bahçeşehir University Rotary International Bahcesehir University

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🌟 Mastering #Project #Planning for Impactful Development of #CSOs in #Yemen! Following our successful #institutional #capacity_building initiative, I was excited to lead the next critical component of the Capacity Development Program: Project Planning & Design—a cornerstone of effective development work in fragile contexts like Yemen. 📌 Why Project Planning Matters: In a landscape shaped by conflict, food insecurity, and water scarcity, every project must be: ✅ Rooted in Reality: Built on rigorous problem/context analysis to address actual community needs. ✅ Inclusive: Driven by stakeholder engagement and community priorities. ✅ Risk-Aware: Designed to navigate protection risks, security challenges, and sustainability gaps. 💡 Key Takeaways for Yemeni Practitioners: No More Guesswork: Data-driven planning ensures resources reach those who need them most. From Crisis to Resilience: Projects that integrate risk and sustainability outlast emergencies. Community at the Core: When stakeholders co-design solutions, impact multiplies. 🙏 Shoutout to Tearfund Deutschland e.V. for enabling this vital training! #Together, we’re #equipping #Yemeni #organizations to turn challenges into opportunities—one well-planned project at a time. 🔜 Next Up: Stay tuned for insights on Proposal Writing and Reporting! #ProjectPlanning #YemenDevelopment #RiskAwareDesign #CommunityFirst #NGOCapacity #SustainableImpact P.S. Missed our governance systems post? [Link here: https://lnkd.in/d5yDkPdv].

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🚀 3-Day Capacity Building Training Opportunity for NGOs & CSOs in Afghanistan The Afghan Youth Professional Network (AYPN) is pleased to announce a 3-day Capacity Building Training designed for national NGOs, CSOs, networks, and professionals seeking to strengthen their institutional and proposal development capacities. 🔹 Training Duration: 3 Days 🔹 Training Focus Areas: • Project Concept Note Writing (practical & donor-oriented) • Registration with Donor/Funding Agencies • UN Cluster Registration & Engagement • Identifying funding opportunities 🔹 Who should apply? • National & local NGOs • Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) • Networks and associations • Development professionals and young leaders 🔹 Training Fee: AFN 3,000 🔹 Certificate: Yes (provided upon completion) 🔹 Organizer: Afghan Youth Professional Network (AYPN) This 3-day training aims to support organizations and professionals to become more competitive, compliant, and effective in accessing funding and engaging with humanitarian and development coordination mechanisms. 📌 Interested participants are requested to register through the official registration form. https://lnkd.in/dGpFhZpb #CapacityBuilding #NGOTraining #ConceptNoteWriting #UNClusters #DonorEngagement #AfghanYouth #AYPN #ProfessionalDevelopment

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📢 Yemen CCCM Cluster Strategy 2025–2027: From Crisis Response to Durable Solutions 📢 The new Yemen CCCM Cluster Strategy charts a 3-year roadmap to ensure safe, dignified living environments for over 4.8M IDPs while building pathways toward durable solutions. 🔹 Strategic Objectives 1️⃣ Safe, dignified access to multi-sectoral services 2️⃣ Inclusive community participation & social cohesion 3️⃣ Accessible two-way communication pathways 4️⃣ Integrated approaches supporting resilience & durable solutions 5️⃣ Strengthened capacity of CCCM stakeholders 🔹 Key Innovations • Area-Based Site Management (ABSM) – phased rollout from 2025 to 2027, expanding coordination beyond camp boundaries to reach host communities. • Durable Solutions & Exit Strategy – preparing for handover to local authorities, national NGOs, and community structures. • Localization Roadmap – progressive transfer of coordination and site management roles to national actors. 💬 This strategy reflects a shift: from managing displacement to enabling recovery and self-reliance, even in one of the world’s most complex crises. 📄 Full strategy here: [https://lnkd.in/dhbrBK8f] #Yemen #CCCMcluster #HumanitarianResponse #DurableSolutions #Localization #IDPs #AreaBasedApproach

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𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗔 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵-𝗟𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.    The International Forum We, the Youth (IFWY) is proud to highlight a transformative policy under the Technological Innovations and Ethical Considerations theme: "𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴" by Emmanuel Oruk, from Africa & the Middle East.  This initiative addresses a critical gap: in Uganda, persons with disabilities (PWDs) constitute about 14% of the population (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2023), yet face significant exclusion from digital ecosystems. The Uganda Communications Commission (2024) reports that only 28% of PWDs have access to digital devices, exacerbating vulnerabilities to cyber threats and limiting economic participation. Emmanuel’s proposal targets training 1,000 PWDs—prioritizing youth and women, in digital literacy and cybersecurity across six regions (𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮, 𝗚𝘂𝗹𝘂, 𝗠𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗲, 𝗠𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗮, 𝗔𝗿𝘂𝗮, 𝗝𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗮) by 2026, supported by accessible materials in Braille, sign language, and audio formats.  Fact-based impact is at the core: the World Bank (2023) estimates that inclusive digital access could increase GDP in low-income countries like Uganda by about 1.1% annually. The project’s collaboration with the Internet Society Uganda Chapter and the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) ensures a $20,000 budget is allocated for workshops, materials, and cyber clinics, addressing a 2024 ITU report noting 62% of Ugandans lack cybersecurity awareness. Outcomes include enhanced digital safety for PWDs and policy advocacy to embed accessibility in national ICT frameworks.  This initiative exemplifies ethical innovation by prioritizing equity and security, aligning with global trends where the International Telecommunication Union (ITU, 2024) projects a 15% rise in digital inclusion initiatives by 2030. I invite professionals, policymakers, and youth advocates to explore this policy on the IFWY platform, engage with its potential, and contribute to shaping a digitally resilient future.   🔗 http://www.ifwy.org 📊 What ethical tech challenges do you see in your region? Share your insights below.   #IFWY #TechnologicalInnovation #EthicalConsiderations #DigitalInclusion #YouthEmpowerment

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⏳ Just days until we gather in New York for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs!   Here’s what Ms. Lara Abdullat , Head of International Programmes, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation of Jordan, had to say: 🎙️ “Local communities are closest to the people- they understand the needs and priorities on the ground. But national institutions often hold the resources and capacity.”   Ms. Abdullat speaks to the heart of why SDG Localization Frameworks matter—creating the national systems that organize and align local and national efforts.   📍 Be part of shaping these frameworks and advancing coherent multilevel governance for SDG delivery. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dF3GJg3U   #HLP2025 #SDGLocalization #MultilevelGovernance #PartnershipPlatformOnLocalizingTheSDGs   P.S. A separate High-Level Event for governments looking to formally join the Partnership Platform will be held on 23 July at the Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN. Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), UN-habitat Jordan, UN-Habitat بالعربية, Deema Abu Thiab, Alia Asad, Claudia García Zaragoza, Joanna Muya, Nagwa Lachine, Sukaina Al-Nasrawi

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Thematic Newsletter Women’s Leadership: Innovation, Participation, & Resilience in the Arab Region The Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) - Al-Nahda Women Studies Unit Thematic newsletter brings together recent analysis, publications, and engagements exploring women’s roles within governance, social protection, access to justice, and civic participation, particularly in contexts of protracted crisis. RSC’s approach highlights how women’s participation is both shaped by and reshapes policy, institutional, and social processes. Evidence across sectors underscores women’s contributions to social and economic change through community initiatives, digital transformation, sustainable development, and public engagement. This edition features key contributions to national and regional dialogue, including the launch of the Tawasol Network of civil society organizations, ARDD’s statement on International Women’s Day, and an interview with ARDD Programs Manager Zainab Alkhalil, alongside blogs, project updates, and reports on women’s leadership in advancing justice and inclusive governance. Framed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the broader Women, Peace and Security agenda, the newsletter aims to support policy-relevant discussions to advance women’s rights and foster more inclusive and resilient systems. Read the full edition here: https://lnkd.in/d28ZW8B6 @unwomenjordan @RMFLebanon The Jordanian National Commission for Women #JordanNationalNGOsForumJONAF #WomensLeadership #ArabRegion #Leadership #Governance #SocialImpact

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AETS in Jordan: Equity that Strengthens SMEs 🤝 AETS is advancing the Enterprise Growth through Equitable Business Approaches initiative in Jordan launched under the Innovative Private Sector Development Project I‑PSD, implemented by GIZ Jordan on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Equitable Business Approaches helps SMEs integrate equity and inclusion across their operations, boosting competitiveness and supporting sustainable job creation. Business Service Providers have been trained with practical, ESG‑aligned tools, and momentum is growing: 39 SMEs have already signed on, toward our target of 100 SMEs, each committing to implement at least three equal‑opportunity measures. At AETS, we know equity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s smart business. #AETS #EquitableBusiness #InclusiveGrowth #SMEs #Jordan #ESG #GIZ #BMZ

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Introducing area based development approach. Introducing the Area-Based Development (ABD) approach as a practical and inclusive framework to support recovery, peacebuilding, and long-term stability in communities across Iraq. ABD strengthens local governance by aligning national priorities with local needs — enabling authorities, civil society, and the private sector to jointly identify challenges and invest in solutions that improve lives at the neighborhood and district levels. Through this approach, UNDP seeks to accelerate service delivery, promote economic revitalization, and reinforce social cohesion — ensuring that communities emerging from crisis remain on a sustainable development path. Working closely with our national partners and international stakeholders, we continue to support locally driven progress that leaves no one behind.

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Iraq’s next big opportunity lies where sustainability meets technology. During our meeting with the GIZ Iraq delegation at the Najaf Chamber of Commerce, we discussed how to boost youth employment in the green and digital economies — two sectors shaping the future of work. We’re also planning to collaborate on entrepreneurship training programs to help young Iraqis build resilient and future-ready businesses. Erfan Diebel Johannes Poppele

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We are pleased to announce a new collaboration between FCA and UNDP Syria to strengthen rural–urban MSME resilience and economic recovery in Aleppo. The project will support economic recovery by strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and expanding livelihood opportunities across both rural and urban areas. It will deliver an integrated package of support, including business management training, market-oriented vocational training, MSME grants, and productive toolkits to enable income-generating activities. With a strong focus on vulnerable groups such as unemployed youth, individuals with limited income opportunities, and persons with disabilities , the project aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic empowerment. We look forward to this collaboration and to supporting the resilience and recovery of communities in Syria.

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🌿 Project newsletter: First steps in the implementation of the TERRAIN IPA Adrion project in the South Banat Region 🦄🦄🦄

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Recent cuts in international aid — including funding from USAID and UN-supported programs — have significantly impacted NGO operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, leading to layoffs among both local and international staff.  Many organizations have had to downsize or pause projects, resulting in the loss of skilled national professionals who are crucial to service delivery, community engagement, and program continuity.  These effects are clearly visible on the ground. During recent flooding in Chamchamal, the limited presence of local and international NGOs slowed down the response, affecting its speed, coordination, and effectiveness, and creating gaps in community support, needs assessment, and immediate aid.  For local NGOs, staff reductions threaten not only short-term operations but also organizational stability, ongoing services, and retention of local expertise. Although funding constraints are a global issue, their local effects need careful attention — especially in fragile settings where civil society often serves as a first responder. Based on my experience as a freelance NGO consultant in the Kurdistan Region, I see how funding uncertainty directly leads to staff layoffs and reduced field capacity, even as emergencies and community needs persist. Thoughtful, predictable, and locally grounded funding strategies are essential to sustain practical humanitarian and development efforts. #NGOSector #AidFunding #CivilSociety #DisasterResponse #Chamchamal #Kurdistan #Iraq  

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