Webinars & Workshops
We host dozens of webinars, workshops, talks, and panels every year, as part of our commitment to share knowlege and enhance education around philanthropy.
Browse through our archives to learn from experts around the world and gain the skills, information, and insights to help your organization's impact go further.
In this powerful episode of the Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) Speaker Series, AFF CEO Naila Farouky speaks with Andrew Moore, Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan at The HALO Trust—the world’s largest humanitarian mine clearance organization. Andrew shares his unexpected journey from opera singer to demining leader, the life-saving work HALO is doing in Syria, Gaza, and beyond, and the crucial role mine action plays in post-conflict reconstruction and local development.
Regional Partnership Launch for Youth Employment in the Arab World
This session marks the official launch of a new partnership between the Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA), focused on advancing youth employment and skills development across the Arab region. The event explores Josour, a regional initiative launched by ESCWA in 2022 to respond to high youth unemployment by connecting young people with training, mentorship, and employment opportunities. The platform is now supported by a cross-sector coalition working to expand access to quality jobs and economic participation.
Harnessing Digital Innovation & Localization in NGOs
Join us for an engaging conversation on digital transformation, localization, and innovation in philanthropy, featuring Hazem Fahmy, Regional Director at CARE, in discussion with Naila Farouky, CEO of the Arab Foundations Forum (AFF). In this episode of the AFF Speaker Series, Mr. Fahmy shared insights from his extensive experience leading sustainable development efforts across the Middle East and North Africa. With over 20 years of work in food security, climate adaptation, and community resilience, he highlighted strategies that are reshaping the future of impact in the region.
Zakat is evolving beyond charity into a powerful catalyst for sustainable social and economic change. How can it be strategically leveraged to address critical funding gaps and drive innovation? In this insightful Member-led webinar presented by Alfanar Venture Philanthropy, experts in philanthropy, finance, and nonprofit leadership explore how Zakat can be maximized for long-term impact across its eight categories. This session features thought leaders sharing real-world success stories, challenges, and innovative approaches to integrating Zakat into strategic philanthropy. Whether you’re a donor, foundation, or nonprofit leader, this discussion provides valuable insights on harnessing Zakat for meaningful and lasting change.
On November 15, 2024, during COP29 in Baku, foundations and civil society organizations from across the Arab region came together to launch the Arab Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (APCCC)—the first regional pledge to address climate injustice from an Arab perspective. On February 11, 2025, we hosted a special 90-minute webinar to celebrate the progress made since COP29, spotlight the power of regional collaboration, and discuss how organizations can contribute to this transformative movement.
In April 2023, a long-standing power struggle between rival armed factions in Sudan erupted into war. More than a year later, the brutal fighting continues to devastate the country, which was already mired in political conflict and economic instability. The relentless violence has left Sudan in a state of unprecedented emergency — one overshadowed by other regional crises, leading many to call it “The Forgotten War.” The situation in Sudan is worsening by the minute, with a staggering 8.1 million people internally displaced and another 2.9 million seeking refuge across borders. According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 24.8 million Sudanese — half of the country's population — now require urgent assistance.
Emergency in Lebanon: A Call to Action
A grave humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Lebanon. Local civil societies are stretched thin, and aid organizations are scrambling to address the needs of hundreds of thousands of people. Urgent humanitarian action is required, right now. AFF’s Humanitarian Relief and Recovery Task Force brought together organizations working on the ground in Lebanon to share their experiences of providing food, shelter, and life-saving medical aid to Lebanon’s devastated community and to discuss their most immediate and pressing needs to allow them to keep doing their essential work.
The Gaza Chronicles
A Year of Genocide – Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah From the Frontlines
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a multi-award-winning plastic and reconstructive surgeon, was in Gaza as one of the first responders, as he has been countless times, in countless war and conflict zones. One year later, he is still on the frontlines, in Lebanon now, helping the victims of Israel’s attacks. AFF had the honor of hosting Dr. Abu-Sittah on this milestone episode of The Gaza Chronicles marking the one-year anniversary of the start of the genocide. He told us about his experiences on the frontlines of genocide and his journey to becoming a lifelong, unwavering voice for his family’s home and people.
The Gaza Chronicles
Education in the Time of Genocide
We spoke to Deya’ Leonard Dresner, Founder and Executive Director of the Leonard Education Organization (LE•O), and Israa’ Ali, Founder of Ahfad Al Zaytoun, both dedicated to providing hundreds of students in Gaza with educational opportunities and the nurturing and support they need to succeed. In conversation with AFF CEO Naila Farouky, they discussed the challenges of ensuring education survives as the bombs fall, the achievements of their students in the face of devastating odds, and their hopes for what happens next.
The Gaza Chronicles
Fighting Death in Gaza
Dr. Javed Ali, Senior Director of the International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response Unit, gives us an inside look at the life of a doctor on the front lines. He describes the immense challenges he and his team face as they work to heal the sick and wounded while more and more Gazans are being struck down every minute, tells us what medical teams around Gaza need to be able to treat patients properly, and shares what compels doctors like him to work in one of the deadliest places on Earth today.
Speaker Series
In Conversation With a Philanthropist
Over four decades, Alwaleed Philanthropies has helped improve the lives of more than 1 billion people around the world. Find out how in our intimate, one-on-one conversation with the foundation’s Secretary General, humanitarian and advocate HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed AlSaud.
Member-Led Session:
Reimagining Orphan Care: A Shift Towards Family-Based Solutions
Led by Sanad for Orphans and SOS Children's Villages - Gulf Office
Sanad and SOS Children's Villages, two organizations dedicated to caring for and empowering children and young people who have lost their parents, explore the meaning and objectives of family-based care and how this approach can help ensure a safe and positive experience for every orphaned child.
Additional resources:
The Gaza Chronicles
Fundraising in the Time of Genocide
As famine spreads throughout Gaza, the Gaza Soup Kitchen is feeding families and saving thousands of lives every day. We spoke with Hani Almadhoun, Senior Director of Philanthropy with UNRWA-USA and co-founder of the Gaza Soup Kitchen, to find out how two brothers turned four large pots, some ingredients, and a digital fundraising campaign into a beacon of hope for their community.
Member-Led Session:
Transformative Ventures: Exploring Collaborative Social Entrepreneurship Models
Led by COSV
This 75-minute session provides a comprehensive overview of emerging social entrepreneurship models in Lebanon, emphasizing the crucial role of collaboration in amplifying social and economic impact – particularly in fragile economies. Learn how these models can help advance human rights and catalyze market transformation, and gain a clearer understanding of how to effectively target your organization's SSE programs for maximum efficacy.
Additional resources:
Member-Led Session:
Islamic Finance and Climate Change
Led by Greenpeace-MENA
In the first of our new Member-Led Sessions, Greenpeace-MENA focus on the power of Islamic finance to catalyze climate funding. Currently worth more than $2.5 trillion, the Islamic finance industry has gained prominence over the past decade and presents a unique set of ethical principles that could drive transformative change in climate finance.
Speaker Series:
Gaza Crisis, part 1 - AFF Call to Action
Dr. Aida Essaid of Taawon (Welfare Association) and Muna Abbas of The Asfari Foundation, two organizations at the heart of our Gaza Donor Appeal. Dedicating funding and resources to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, they discuss the ways AFF and its network is working to relieve the pain and suffering in Gaza and what your organization can contribute, whether it’s funding, resources, or spreading the word.
Speaker Series:
Gaza Crisis, part 2 - United in Action
AFF CEO Naila Farouky speaks with Joyce Ajlouny of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Saleem F. Zaru of United Palestinian Appeal (UPA), two of the organizations spearheading our Gaza Donor Appeal. They discuss how they are using your donations to help the community in Gaza and the challenges they face reaching those who need support the most.
Panel: How Can We Best Leverage the Private Sector in Development?
We brought together a panel of experts to discuss the important role of private sector and philanthropy in development, partnerships, and collaboration. The panel looked at the various ways the private sector is stepping up to make socially responsible contributions to development, as well as the challenges of balancing philanthropic activities and corporate sustainability with the need to turn a profit.
Introduction to Climate in the MENA Region
Led by Impatience Earth
The first in a series of free workshops designed to equip you with the tools to integrate climate philanthropy into your organization’s policies and activities. This session covers a just transition in the Middle East and what that looks like; the power and importance of policy and frameworks; and the impacts of climate on security within the region.
Additional resources:
Climate & Food Systems in the MENA Region
Led by Impatience Earth
The second in our series of free workshops led by Impatience Earth. Each workshop begins with a facilitated discussion before opening up into a Q&A session, allowing participants to learn more from the speakers and each other. This session covers the impacts of the climate crisis on food security and hunger; opportunities to drive systemic change; and links to biodiversity protection.
Additional resources:
Climate & Young People in the MENA Region
Led by Impatience Earth
The third in our series of free workshops led by Impatience Earth. This session covers the power of incorporating youth voices in climate discussions; opportunities and gaps for youth-led climate action; and the power of activism in driving change.
Additional resources:
Post-COP28 Digest with Dr. Lama Elhatow
Led by Impatience Earth
The fourth in our series of free workshops led by Impatience Earth. This session dives into the complex COP negotiations, with environmentalist Dr. Lama Elhatow discussing the key outcomes and implications of the summit in Dubai along with its successes and shortcomings.
Additional resources:
Climate & Health in the MENA Region
Led by Impatience Earth
The final session in our climate action led by Impatience Earth. The health impacts of climate change are undeniable, and they are getting worse, particularly in the Arab region. This session will help you understand more about the problem, the potential solutions, and how philanthropy can help.
Additional resources:
• Climate & Health notes
• Climate & Health Presentation Slides
Advancing Arab Philanthropic Partnerships & Collaboratives
During the 2023 AFF Annual Meeting in Cairo, we held a knowledge co-creation and community building workshop organized in partnership with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) and the Saleh Abdullah Kamel Humanitarian Foundation (SAKHF). The session brought together over 40 organizations to share insights on philanthropic partnerships practices and to highlight ways to advance the effectiveness and impact of those practices. The result was a comprehensive report that lays out ideas, recommendations, and next steps to strengthen the philanthropic partnerships ecosystem – among the first for the region. In this session, we discuss the key takeaways and recommendations from the report.
Additional resources:
Arab Foundations Forum Annual Meeting
Highlights
Over three days at the American University in Cairo, we brought together some of Arab philanthropy's most passionate, driven, and hopeful practitioners, implementers, donors, grantors, grantees, and supporters - among others - to engage in lively and open conversations, thought-provoking panels, and energizing connections. From Sept. 11-13, some of the region's leading philanthropic voices discussed the most pressing issues facing the Arab region, from climate change and the power of data to youth empowerment and the race to achieve the SDGs.
Panel: Localization of Development – The Funder-Local Civil Society Relationship
We know that philanthropy initiatives can have long-lasting impacts on the way communities live and operate, but often funding priorities focus on what the donor or founder wants to achieve, rather than what the community needs. How do we shift the sector away from its top-down thinking and toward localized philanthropy? And what does the most effective relationship between funder and local civil society look like?
Panel: The Arab Philanthropic & Civic Sector Response to the Syria-Turkey Earthquakes
In partnership with the International Medical Corps, the Arab Foundations Forum held a virtual panel discussion to discuss the Arab philanthropic and civic sector response to the Syria-Turkey earthquakes. This panel addressed key questions regarding the consequences of the earthquakes on Syria’s most vulnerable populations with the aim of informing the philanthropic response both in the emergency and early recovery phases.