With a vibrant, passionate youth population, the Middle East and North Africa has incredible potential to improve the stability of the region and develop its economic and human resources. Yet ongoing conflict, increasing refugee flows and humanitarian crises put the region at risk and create challenges that need to be addressed in concert with local populations.
Since the 1990s, Creative has been a reliable partner to the region’s diverse countries and communities across the spectrum of development, jumpstarting stabilization initiatives in the midst and aftermath of conflict and bolstering education systems, women’s leadership and inclusive growth and governance.
With experience in 14 countries, Creative’s programs have advanced access to security, safety and governance in liberated areas of Syria, lowered risk factors for youth at risk for radicalization in Tunisia, catalyzed rural communities to launch inclusive development programs in Jordan, empowered women with a seat and voice at the constitutional drafting table in Libya, and brought girls into classrooms across the region.
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Current Projects
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MULTIMEDIA
Video: How Development Alliance members view this MENA initiative
The new Development Alliance (“Dev-Alliance”) in the MENA region leverages talents, skills, cultural knowledge and geographic expertise of the local companies – including three in Jordan and one in Palestine – and Creative Associates International to improve locally conceived, designed and led programs. Learn more.
Morocco: Boosting critical reading instruction, building a culture of literacy
Middle school is a key time to master critical reading, but students in Morocco have struggled. See how Creative, USAID and the Moroccan Ministry of Education partnered to boost reading instruction and build a culture of reading. Learn more.
Syria: A courageous truth-teller
Hala Khairalla understands the dangers of being a journalist in Syria: while reporting on demonstrations in Aleppo, she was shot in the back and hospitalized. But her experiences have not dampened her passion for accurate, honest journalism that informs, inspires, and empowers. Learn more.
Morocco: An advocate for the most vulnerable children
Karima Mkika founded the Al Karam Center in 1997 to support vulnerable children. Twenty years later, The Al Karam Center is still providing services to Morocco’s most precious resource and working with a coalition of advocates to combat child labor and expand opportunity. Learn more.
Syria: Katkooti (“My Chick” ) app offers literacy and psychosocial support to displaced children
Creative’s submission to the EduApp4Syria competition, Katkooti, (meaning ‘My Chick’ in Arabic), would provide literacy education and psychosocial support to millions of displaced Syrian children. The pet simulation app encourages users to help their chicks thrive within safe, interactive learning environments. Learn more.
Morocco: Creating a culture of reading in middle school
Middle school is a key time to master critical reading skills, but reading comprehension has been low among Moroccan students. The RASID project has started to reverse this, empowering teachers and coaches with the skills they need to bring effective reading instruction to students and spark a love for reading. Learn more.
Morocco: Middle school-aged researchers tackle school dropout head on
Every year in Morocco, nearly 360,000 students drop out of school, and the problem is most acute in middle school. In order to develop solutions, young researchers interviewed peers on reasons why they leave school and developed approaches to combat dropout. Learn more.
Morocco: Young advocates speak out about the importance of staying in school
In cities across Morocco, middle school-aged researchers teamed up with USAID, Creative and the Ministry of Education to tackle school dropout through Youth Speak Morocco. Advocates affected by dropout share their stories and present findings on dropout during a national conference. Learn more.
Morocco: Youth Speak program keeps at-risk students in school
Youssef is a 16-year-old high school student from one of Morocco's poorest regions who wasn't even sure he would complete school. Now he's at the top of his class, thanks to Youth Speak Morocco—a school dropout prevention initiative that empowers middle school students to lead research with their peers on the factors that lead to dropout and speak out against the problem. Learn more.
Libya: Youth-powered civil society
Civil society may be new to Libya, but it gaining strength and energy—powered to a large degree by youth. The H2O network is drawing in a generation of civic leaders who are launching on-the-ground campaigns for positive change and, in the process, shifting the perspectives of Libyans on what engaged citizenship looks like. Learn more.
Libya: What Delaware taught these MENA students
What can a student from the Middle East and North Africa region learn in Delaware? This group of students gained skills and knowledge on a U.S. trip that will help them to create the positive change they seek in their own countries. Learn more.
Libya: Standing up for positive change
Libya’s Revolution was about more than just ousting a dictator. It was a chance for Libyans to stand up for better their society. The Free Generation Movement empowers and mobilizes volunteers to take an active role in creating that positive change. Learn more.
Libya: Finding missing loved ones & a bit of hope
Nearly 10,000 Libyans are missing—a direct result of the revolution, ongoing conflict and previous decades of authoritarian rule—leaving family members struggling to find answers and cope with loss. The Mafqood Center provides a safe place for family members of missing persons to get support and work together to address shared legal and social challenges. Learn more.
Libya: Civil society goes pink for women
Taking a stand for women’s health, the Pink Movement is educating Libyan women about breast cancer prevention and awareness. Whether in mosques and health clubs or walking in pink hijabs and carrying pink banners, the movement fights breast cancer head on. Learn more.
Yemen: Generating economic opportunities for youth
In Yemen, economic and social indicators are among the lowest in the Middle East. Creative’s Community Livelihoods Project expanded opportunities for thousands of youth through initiatives in economic development, agriculture, health, education and governance. Learn more.
PROJECTS
- Libya – Electoral Security Planning and ImplementationThis program aims to address threats to the electoral security environment at the national and ...
- Libya – LEGAL – DusturAs a follow-up to the constitutional work accomplished by the Libyan Engagement and Governance through ...
- Morocco: Fostering Peaceful CommunitiesTaking an innovative approach to building a network of resilience at the local level, the ...
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STORIES
LIBYA: Microsoft Corporation Teams with the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative and Creative to Empower Libya’s Emerging Civil Society
Microsoft Corporation Teams with the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative and Creative Associates to Empower Libya’s Emerging Civil Society
David Barth, the director of USAID’s Office of Education, speaks with Creative Times about Technology and Education
Creative's President & CEO, Charito Kruvant at US Institute of Peace’s Woman & War conference held Nov. 3-5
Creative’s President and CEO, M. Charito Kruvant, Co-Authors New Book on Increasing the Competitiveness of Small Businesses
