A training on Proposal Writing and Fundraising for civil society organizations and regional networks is being held by the Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) at the Lancaster Tamar Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. The training will be taking place from the 24th of April to the 3rd of May, 2017 and is being attended by representatives from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Tunisia. Ms. Rana Ibrahim is facilitating the nine-day training.

The overall objective of the training is to contribute to improving the accessibility of the civil society organizations and regional networks working in the field of HIV/AIDS to funds via several channels. In addition, the training will also serve to improve the quality of resource mobilization actions and proposals of the organizations involved.

In a speech during the opening session, MENAHRA Executive Director, Mr. Elie Aaraj, emphasized that civil society should raise their voices together in order to ensure that donor continue to provide support for harm reduction in the MENA region, highlighting that MENAHRA has initiated this effort and is voicing these issues through a number of channels, including social media, through the hashtag #dontleavemenabehind.

Mr. Aaraj also stressed that this training presents an opportunity to develop a fundraising plan for civil society organizations working in this field in the MENA region, and hoped that it will be a beneficial learning opportunity and exchange of experiences for the participants.