Objectives and rationale

The relevance and effectiveness of the Foundation’s work require the rigor to understand and learn more about the context of intervention. The Foundation believes in a policy-oriented and applied-research model to build outcome-based knowledge that can be relevant to inform decision-making and strategies. Conferences, roundtables, seminars, studies and publications are the tools chosen by the Foundation for the Future to implement this approach, with a particular interest and commitment to giving accessibility and visibility to emerging issues and trends in the MENA region. 

The Research Department of the Foundation for the Future was established with the aim of undertaking research activities and commissioning studies on topics of relevance to the Foundation’s mandate. By relying on evidence-based research, the Foundation seeks to understand the role that research plays in the range of civil society organization (CSO) activities, including advocacy, networking, campaigning, and building partnerships and practical projects, in order to advance the work of CSOs. Through this approach, the Foundation intends to shed light on the accomplishments and weaknesses of existing research studies/projects, and draw conclusions on ways to improve links between research and grant making in the region. It will ultimately formulate recommendations for a long/mid-term strategy on the best means to support civil society in the region.

“Networks multiply and strengthen CSO impact,
build resilience and mutual support,
and enhance knowledge-sharing.”

After investing five years in the region, the Foundation has accumulated a considerable amount of practical and theoretical knowledge about the role of Civil Society in BMENA. However, the wave of popular protests across the region in 2011 demonstrated an urgent need for a deeper understanding of the role Civil Society is playing in a post-Arab Spring environment, and how to assist them in this new context. The Foundation has spearheaded knowledge generation and analysis on the subject. We have conducted several field missions, mapping surveys, and strategic studies across BMENA in order to better understand how to more effectively assist CSOs in these new settings. Through research and policy platforms used to debate Civil Society issues, we now serve as a hub for critical analysis on regional development and trends.