The Arab Spring reaffirmed the importance of democratic representation and the need for opportunity, access and freedom. Today, IFES programming continues to responds to challenges across the region, including such countries as Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen.
IFES has worked in over a dozen countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. At present, projects in this region represent some of IFES’ most innovative work, from establishing and operating a media center in Yemen to working with a local NGO in Tunisia on campaign finance monitoring.
A number of regional endeavors also showcase IFES’ excellence in transparency and electoral integrity and inclusion and empowerment. The Enhancing Finance Transparency in the Arab Region project aims to build awareness and capacity among stakeholders across the Middle East and North Africa in order to increase transparency in political finance. The Status of Women in the Middle East and North Africa project worked to improve the condition of women in the region by measuring opinions on gender gaps Using data collected during the project, IFES worked closely with in-country partners and advisers to train women and encourage local civil society organizations to conduct research-based advocacy within each country.