How can Civil Society Organisations & Social Entrepreneurs build more sustainable solutions ?
The Asfari Foundation and makesense are running the TABADOL program for Civil Society Organizations to develop creative solutions to sustain the transformational change they are leading in their communities (Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Syria).
- To encourage the use of entrepreneurship and innovation frameworks and tools within civil society organisations
- To support social entrepreneurs access knowledge, know-how and clients in their quest to develop solutions to social problems
- To develop solutions that will sustain civil societies’ operations, program and impact. All while being environmentally conscious
Tabadol 2024 cycle is open for applications!
What is TABADOL?
TABADOL supports organizations and entrepreneurs working on the following topics in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria*.
Active citizenship
Education / lifelong learning
Entrepreneurship
Feminism & gender
Good governance
Independent media
Tech & innovation
A fellowship program, whereby social entrepreneurs are matched with CSOs in order to jointly develop innovative solutions to local challenges and reinforce CSOs sustainability.
Financial support
Up to 500 USD / month stipend for each fellow to work on their project.
CSOs are provided with curated technical support from experienced coaches. They are invited to apply for a grant from the Asfari Foundation to support the development of their sustainability during the time of the fellowship.
TABADOL invites all CSOs from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria* to attend the Multaqa. This online event allows them to connect together, discuss the concept of sustainability and exchange with experts sharing best practices, challenges and previously tested solutions.
*The Syrian founded organizations can be based anywhere in the world except Syria, focused on working in the Levant region.
This program is a
collaboration between
The Asfari Foundation is a grant-making charity focusing its efforts on the Levant and UK. Through its grant-making programmes, the Asfari Foundation invests in, and supports the sustainability of, a resilient and empowered civil society infrastructure and innovative youth, who can collectively lead a transformational positive change in their communities and countries.
makesense designs impact programs and spark collaborations between engaged citizens, social entrepreneurs and forward-thinking organizations to collectively tackle the social and environmental issues of today.
The Creativity Development Centre is a social initiative and business support platform educating and empowering youth in various areas, with a focus on orientation programs, business development, and social entrepreneurship skills.
With its network of experienced researchers and academics, Eedama is a consultancy focused on sustainable business planning, business impact, sustainable development, and environmental policies.
Contact us
lebanon@makesense.org
Some definitions
How does the Asfari Foundation define CSOs, Sustainability, Innovation?
Check below our understanding of those terms, which should help you contextualize the TABADOL program.
In our view CSOs are non-State, not-for-profit, voluntary entities formed by people in the social sphere that are separate from the government and businesses. CSOs represent a wide range of interests and ties. They are task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest. They perform a variety of services and humanitarian and developmental functions, bring citizens’ concerns to Governments, monitor policies, encourage political participation, deliver education activities, and run employability programmes. They can include community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and social enterprises (SEs).
Derives from the Latin word innovatus, past participle of innovare, “to make changes; do
something in a new way”. Our perception of innovations involve end users directly in the solution finding and value creation through co-design, co-create, co-market, co-produce, co-fund and co-distribute. While technology is at the core of modern day innovations, it is not a must for an innovation to be created.
Sustainability has many definitions, and it is about both financial resources and impact. We like the definition of Nell Edington: “non-profit sustainability occurs when the organization attracts and effectively uses enough and the right kinds of money necessary to achieve their long-term outcome goals.”
When we say sustainability for the Tabadol programme, it encompasses sustainable operations, sustainable programmes, sustainable impact, and environmental sustainability. To list few examples:
- Sustaining operations through resource sharing with our organizations to reduce overhead costs. Or through long term funding. Or through outsourcing the expertise of your team to generate income.
- Sustainable programmes through working in collaboration with partners, through income generating activities, through sponsorship from the private sector, or through pro bono services.
- Sustaining impact through the utilization of giving it forward schemes or utilization of technology (i.e. platforms, apps) to continuously support people with limited costs.
- Environmental sustainability through making your programmes and operations eco friendly, utilizing efficient lighting in the office, reducing use of cars, papers, plastic waste, or using recycled materials.
For some interesting thoughts we like about sustainability, visit this.
What they say about Tabadol
“The fellowship opportunity through Tabadol has helped AlNayzak to fulfill its mission by supporting disabled children and youth through integrating VR Technology in disabilities diagnosis and treatment. Our work within the Tabadol program contributes to the advancement of incubated project prototype, which was introduced and tested for the first time in Palestine by AlNayzak.”
Aref Husseini, chairman of Al Nayzak, Palestine
“MMKN’s participation in the makesense Tabadol programs accelerated our innovation capacity, through the right EdTech match, creathon competition and workshops. The program offered us a great opportunity to develop a new sustainable initiative that strengthen students’ education experience and keeps them in school.”
Omar Habib, Associate Director (Education, Marketing & Operations), MMKN NGO, Lebanon