Our story: “MENA-can have a Dream…”
How it started?
MENA-can’s story is rooted in love, hope, and the unbreakable resilience of people who refused to bow to despair.
Born during some of the region’s darkest moments — amid conflict and uncertainty in Tunisia, Yemen, and Syria — MENA-can stood shoulder to shoulder with local activists and journalists who risked everything to serve their communities and give a voice to the voiceless.
Far from the gunfire and polarising headlines, millions of ordinary people were quietly fighting to live, survive, and — if given the chance — to thrive. They longed not only for bread and shelter, but for dignity, freedom, and the power to shape their own destiny.
Their wish was simple yet profound: to take their future into their own hands.
MENA-can grew out of this spirit — as a safe, nurturing Incubator Hub where social enterprises take root and changemakers turn hardship into hope, building resilient communities from the ground up.
Today, this same spirit drives everything we do. Every idea we nurture, every changemaker we support, and every community we empower proves what’s possible when people have the freedom, tools, and trust to dream and do.
We are passionate about empowering people
At our core, we believe in people — in their innate power to spark positive change when they are trusted, equipped, and heard.
This belief fuels everything we do. We don’t settle for quick fixes or fleeting aid — instead, we invest in people: nurturing their ideas, honing their skills, and backing their courage to tackle real challenges and drive meaningful change in their communities.
MENA-can is an alternative hub for social enterprise and community resilience.
Here, inspiration ignites bold ideas, ideas evolve into practical, people-driven solutions, and solutions grow into sustainable social ventures that deliver better services and brighter futures for everyone.
Inspire. Ideate. Incubate. Impact. — that’s how we turn hope into action, and action into lasting change.
What are we striving to solve?
We know we can’t change the world alone — real change demands collaboration, trust, and a thriving ecosystem where everyone has a role to play.
The challenges our communities face are immense and deeply connected: broken public services, fragile education and healthcare systems, rising inequalities, and the growing threats of climate change. So much needs fixing — and so much hope depends on people stepping up to build solutions where they live.
At MENA-can, we exist to create and nurture an enabling environment — a vibrant ecosystem where changemakers are born, supported, and connected. We empower people to take action, contribute ideas, and become active problem-solvers in their own communities.
We believe everyone can be a changemaker — not someday, but right now, right where they are. We help people dream boldly and back them with the skills, tools, and support to turn those dreams into tangible projects and lasting impact.
Together, we transform big challenges into shared opportunities — and build a future that belongs to all of us.
MENA-can do it!
Despite the adversities, we believe in the untapped power of grassroots, bottom-up transformation. Over more than a decade of first-hand engagement, we’ve witnessed how, when equipped with the right guidance and resources, local communities are not only willing but remarkably capable of progress.
Youth, in particular, hold enormous potential to flip the script and drive prosperity where it’s needed most. Their energy, creativity, and determination can shift entire dynamics — from fragile systems to thriving, inclusive futures.
Likewise, women have consistently shown how they can turn adversity into powerful waves of change that uplift entire communities.
At its heart, MENA-can’s mission is to empower these local changemakers — especially young people and women — with the tools, skills, and support they need to amplify their voices and lead solutions from within. By doing so, MENA-can acts as a catalyst, lighting sparks of hope and action in even the most marginalized regions across the MENA region.