Ashoka Arab World اشوكا الوطن العربي

21/04/2026

We’re excited to launch our Call for Trainers & Facilitators at Ashoka Arab World.

As part of Ashoka’s global vision of an “Everyone a Changemaker” world, we work to empower youth and social entrepreneurs across the region with the skills, mindset, and support needed to drive meaningful social change.

We are currently building a pool of experienced trainers to support upcoming programs focused on youth empowerment, social entrepreneurship, and innovation.

We are particularly looking for expertise in areas such as entrepreneurship, finance, legal frameworks, marketing, digital skills, leadership, and systems thinking.

If you have experience delivering engaging, participatory trainings and want to contribute to shaping the next generation of changemakers in the Arab region, we encourage you to apply.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/4LKGqBCyYmm1QRX6A.

يسعدنا إطلاق الدعوة للتقدم لمدربين وميسّرين في أشوكا العالم العربي.
كجزء من رؤية أشوكا العالمية نحو عالم "كل فرد فيه صانع تغيير"، نعمل على تمكين الشباب ورواد الأعمال الاجتماعيين في المنطقة بالمهارات والعقلية والدعم اللازم لإحداث تغيير اجتماعي حقيقي.

نقوم حاليًا ببناء قاعدة من المدربين ذوي الخبرة لدعم البرامج القادمة التي تركز على تمكين الشباب، وريادة الأعمال الاجتماعية، والابتكار. نبحث بشكل خاص عن خبرات في مجالات مثل: ريادة الأعمال، والتمويل، والأطر القانونية، والتسويق، والمهارات الرقمية، والقيادة.

إذا كان لديك خبرة في تقديم تدريبات تفاعلية وتشاركية، وترغب في المساهمة في تشكيل الجيل القادم من صناع التغيير في المنطقة العربية، فنشجعك على التقديم.
قدّم الآن عبر الرابط:https://forms.gle/4LKGqBCyYmm1QRX6A

19/04/2026

Who drives change?

At the Tomorrow’s Leaders Annual Symposium 2026 hosted by The American University in Cairo, this question took center stage in a powerful session exploring the actors behind meaningful transformation.

Dr. Iman Bibars, Director of Ashoka Arab World, joined a panel of inspiring leaders, bringing together diverse perspectives on what it takes to drive real impact. Dr. Iman shared Ashoka’s perspective highlighting the critical role of social entrepreneurs as key drivers of change.

As she noted, “Lasting change happens when individuals are empowered to act, when systems evolve to support their ideas at scale, and when we recognize that everyone has the potential to be a changemaker.” From grassroots innovation to systems-level impact, the conversation emphasized on how individuals and communities can turn ideas into action, even in times of uncertainty.

Under the broader theme “Resilience in the Age of Turbulence,” the discussion reinforced a core belief: everyone has the potential to be a changemaker and lasting impact happens when that potential is activated and supported.

31/03/2026

23 years of redefining what changemaking looks like in the Arab world and beyond.

Today, we celebrate Dr. Iman Bibars, Founder and Director of Ashoka Arab World, and one of the leading forces behind advancing social entrepreneurship across the region.

Over the past two and a half decades, her work through Ashoka has not only supported generations of social entrepreneurs, it has helped build the very ecosystem they thrive in today.

As the founder of Women’s Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship (WISE), she has fundamentally shifted how women social entrepreneurs are perceived globally, establishing them as leaders, innovators, and architects of systemic change, not just participants in development.

At a time when dominant narratives often overlooked the Global South, her work asserted something different: that this region is not only a source of challenges, but a driver of solutions that shape the world.

And beyond her impact on the field, she has been a thoughtful and inspiring leader, someone who invests in people, believes in their potential, and creates space for others to grow and lead.

This is more than a 23-year journey.

It is the building of movements, the shifting of narratives, and the unlocking of leadership across generations.

With deep appreciation, we thank you for the vision, the courage, and the path you have created for so many.

Here’s to a legacy that continues to redefine what is possible.

15/03/2026

From Egypt to Morocco and Saudi Arabia, the Innovation Factory graduates are joining a growing ecosystem of young changemakers who are shaping the future of their communities and driving systemic impact across the region.

Watch this video to catch a glimpse of the graduation ceremony of the second cohort in Egypt. Over this cycle, 16 changemakers from 14 governorates developed 16 innovative projects that are already improving thousands of lives, connecting communities, and inspiring collaboration that extends far beyond individual initiatives.

For the past three years, the partnership between Ashoka Arab World and Alwaleed Philanthropies has been strengthening a vibrant ecosystem for youth-led innovation. The Innovation Factory is one of the most meaningful ways this ecosystem comes to life empowering young innovators to transform bold ideas into action, tackle real challenges, and drive systemic change that reaches communities across the Arab world.

This graduation is not just a ceremony, it’s a milestone in a larger journey of ecosystem-wide change, proving that when young minds are empowered, communities and systems flourish together.


من مصر إلى المغرب والسعودية، ينطلق خريجو مصنع الابتكار نحو مستقبل يقوده الشباب، حيث يساهمون في بناء نظام بيئي متكامل لصانعي التغيير، ويخلقون تأثيرًا مستدامًا في مجتمعاتهم وعلى مستوى المنطقة بأكملها.

شاهد هذا الفيديو لتكتشف لمحة عن حفل تخرج الدفعة الثانية في مصر. خلال هذه الدورة، طوّر 16 شابًا وصانعة تغيير من 14 محافظة 16 مشروعًا ابتكاريًا أثر بالفعل على آلاف الأفراد، وبنى جسورًا بين المجتمعات وأطلق التعاون الذي يتجاوز المبادرات الفردية.

على مدار السنوات الثلاث الماضية، ساهمت الشراكة بين أشوكا العالم العربي ومؤسسة الوليد للإنسانية في تعزيز نظام بيئي نابض بالابتكار بقيادة الشباب. يُعتبر مصنع الابتكار واحدة من أكثر الطرق تأثيرًا لتجسيد هذا النظام البيئي,فهو يمكّن المبتكرين الشباب من تحويل الأفكار إلى أفعال، ومواجهة التحديات الحقيقية،
وقيادة التغيير الذي يصل إلى المجتمعات في جميع أنحاء العالم العربي.

هذا الحفل ليس مجرد احتفال، بل هو علامة فارقة في رحلة أوسع من التغيير، ويُثبت أنه عندما يُمكن الشباب، تزدهر المجتمعات والأنظمة معًا

08/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, we honor the incredible women social entrepreneurs who are reshaping systems, transforming communities, and redefining what it means to lead.

Through WISE, the Women’s Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship, we amplify women’s leadership across three powerful ways:
- Scaling Deep: Changing mindsets and cultural norms
- Scaling Up: Influencing policies and institutions
- Scaling Out: Expanding solutions to new communities and regions

Today, WISE supports a vibrant community of 2,300+ women social entrepreneurs, helping them connect, collaborate, and grow. Thanks to WISE, more women are being seen, supported, and empowered. Their work is shaping communities, collaborating across countries, and influencing policies, proving that when women lead, systems change for everyone.

26/02/2026

Sustained collaborations are the catalyst for systems change.

In partnership with Alwaleed Philanthropies, we are on a journey to fuel the work of changemakers across the Arab World. We are proud to share the impact this partnership has achieved across three key programs, building a future where everyone has the power to create positive change.

This is just the start.

23/02/2026

Thank you Women of Egypt - سيدات مصر for highlighting our incredible newly elected fellow Dina Hashish

Dina Hashish Joins the Ashoka Global Fellowship Program

Ashoka in the Arab world has selected Dina Hashish as one of four outstanding social innovators in its Global Fellowship program, recognizing her efforts to transform society, challenge traditional ideas, create new opportunities, and foster community engagement in Egypt and beyond.

Dina Hashish is helping senior citizens in Egypt live better lives. Through the Golden Years Foundation, she is redefining what it means to grow older by providing support with dignity and respect, encouraging social connections, and giving life purpose and meaning. Her work brings together older adults, caregivers, youth, medical professionals, and volunteers to combat isolation and challenge misconceptions about aging, while empowering older adults to become leaders, mentors, and active participants in society.

23/02/2026

Thank you Women of Egypt - سيدات مصر for highlighting our incredible newly elected fellow Dr. Lamia Hanna

د. لمياء كمال حنا تنضم لبرنامج زمالة أشوكا العالمى

اختارت منظمة أشوكا في الوطن العربي د. لمياء كمال حنا ضمن أربعة من الرواد الاجتماعيين المميزين في برنامج زمالة أشوكا العالمي، تقديراً لمجهودها في تغيير الواقع، وكسر الأفكار التقليدية، وفتح فرص جديدة ومشاركة المجتمع في مصر وخارجها.

دكتورة لمياء كمال رئيس مجلس أمناء مؤسسة مصر بلا مرض، والتى من خلالها تعيد تقديم مفهوم الرعاية الصحية من ناحية انسانية من خلال نموذج يضع الكرامة في المقام الأول.

بدأت مسيرتها في العمل الحكومي كطبيبة معمل، حيث كانت تشهد يوميا معاناة المرضى الذين يقفون لساعات طويلة للحصول على أبسط الخدمات. هذه التجربة ألهمتها لتؤمن بأن الصحة ليست مجرد علاج، بل حق يجب أن يُقدّم بكرامة وإنسانية.

واختارت الاستمرار في العمل الحكومي ليبقى هدفها أمام عينها طوال الوقت ويذكرها يومياً بالمسؤولية تجاه كل مريض. ومن هنا بدأت فكرة تأسيس مؤسسة مصر بلا مرض، لتكون مساحة أمل لكل محتاج، مع تقديم خدمات طبية متكاملة تحترم وتحافظ علي كرامة كل مريض.

مؤسسة مصر بلا مرض، هى مؤسسة غير هادفة للربح تعمل في مجال الرعاية الصحية، ومسجلة بوزارة التضامن الاجتماعي.

تقدم خدماتها من خلال قوافل طبية للمناطق الأكثر احتياجًا، وعيادات متخصصة، وبرامج توعية صحية، إلى جانب تدريب الكوادر الطبية لرفع كفاءة الخدمة المقدمة

كما توفر مركزًا للغسيل الكلوي، ووحدات رعاية لحديثي الولادة، وبرامج متابعة مستمرة لضمان رعاية صحية مستدامة وتأثير طويل المدى للمرضى وأسرهم

15/02/2026

Introducing our newly elected Ashoka Fellow: Lamia Kamal Hanna, Founder of Egypt Without Disease.

Lamia is transforming healthcare in Egypt by placing dignity at the center of care. Through a nationwide network of 3,000+ doctors, she is expanding access to ethical, inclusive, and compassionate healthcare for underserved communities.

Her dignity-based clinics offer high-quality services through a sliding-scale model. Through the Egypt Without Disease Academy, she has trained nurses and junior doctors in empathy-driven, human-centered medical practice embedding a new culture of care into the next generation of health professionals.

Beyond treatment, her health education campaigns have reached 180,000+ people, strengthening awareness, early detection, and trust in care.

As an Ashoka Fellow, Lamia is not only addressing gaps in access; she is shifting mindsets, redesigning incentives, and strengthening a healthcare ecosystem where every patient is treated with dignity and every provider is empowered to be a changemaker.

Join us in celebrating Lamia Hanna, elected as an Ashoka Fellow 2025, for redefining equitable, dignified healthcare in Egypt.

Read more about her story: https://lnkd.in/dsCvYddE

11/02/2026

Introducing our newly elected Ashoka Fellow: Maysaa Mahjoub, Founder of The Volunteer Hub Organization (VHO).

Maysaa is transforming how African refugees in Egypt are perceived by shifting the system from one that treats refugees as passive aid recipients to one that recognizes them as leaders, volunteers, and active contributors to society. Through structured volunteering, leadership development, and community-driven action, her model builds agency from childhood to adulthood and strengthens social cohesion.

Her work has supported 20,000+ refugee children, mobilized 1,500+ youth volunteers, and placed 400+ refugee volunteers with local and international partners. Her upcoming digital platform, Be-hive will further scale access to skills-building and volunteering opportunities across borders.

By reimagining inclusion and participation, Maysaa is advancing a future where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and lead. Through her work, Maysaa is enabling more people to step into their role as changemakers.

Join us in celebrating Maysaa Mahjoub, elected as an Ashoka Fellow 2025, for her visionary leadership advancing belonging, purpose, and inclusion.
Read more about her story: https://lnkd.in/dMWsc6W8

08/02/2026

Introducing our newly elected Ashoka Fellow: Dina Hashish, Founder of the Golden Years Foundation (GYF).

Dina is redefining what it means to grow older in Egypt, shifting aging from a narrative of isolation and decline to one rooted in dignity, connection, and purpose. What began as a deeply personal caregiving journey has evolved into Egypt’s first structured, community-driven healthy aging movement, bringing older adults, caregivers, youth, doctors, and volunteers together to build a supportive ecosystem for later life.

Through GYF, Dina has engaged a community of over 100,000 older adults and caregivers, launched Egypt’s first older citizens’ walking rallies, and created inclusive spaces for learning, creativity, wellness, and intergenerational connection across multiple cities.

Join us in celebrating Dina Hashish, elected as an Ashoka Fellow, for her visionary leadership transforming aging into a stage of growth, visibility, and contribution.

To Read more about her story: https://www.ashoka.org/en-aaw/fellow/dina-hashish