Safir starts its operational phase with the launch of the first calls for applications

Safir is an ambitious project supporting youth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 9 countries across Northern Africa and the Middle East. It starts its operational phase with the launch for the first two calls for applications towards incubators/accelerators and civil society organisations. More than 1,000 young project leaders will benefit from this project.

60% of the population in Northern Africa and the Middle East is under the age of 30. Co-financed by the European Union, the Safir project aims at creating an environment that fosters youth participation for a generation that aspires to a new society and a more inclusive, fair and sustainable governance.

Launched in March 2020, Safir is built around 3 pillars: supporting more than 1,000 young project leaders managing entrepreneurial projects with social, cultural and environmental impact, structuring and developing a regional network of support organisations, and creating spaces for dialogue between youth and governmental authorities.

On the 19th of May 2020, Safir initiated the selection process of incubators and civil society organisations. The launch of calls for applications towards young project leaders and universities is scheduled in September. Incubators and CSOs will provide support to 1,000 project leaders in the region during the next four years.

The call for applications is open until the end of June. The Institut français with the Tunisian and Lebanese incubators Lab’ess and Pitchworthy will assist the 8 selected local incubators to consolidate and standardize their support methodologies.

The Institut français with the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) will in parallel offer 21 civil society organisations sessions to strengthen their advocacy training methodologies.

All selected organisations will be given the opportunity to join a network of regional and international actors committed to make civic participation sustainable in the region.

The calls for applications are open until June 26th on the Safir website: www.safir-eu.com.

Institut français – The Institut français is a public institution responsible for French cultural actions abroad. Its initiatives cover various artistic fields, intellectual exchanges, cultural and social innovation, and linguistic cooperation. Throughout the world, it promotes the French language, as well as the mobility of artworks, artists and ideas, and thus works to foster cultural understanding.

Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) – The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) is the world's leading university network with 990 member institutions in 118 countries, and 59 locations across five continents. It was created almost 60 years ago as the operator of the Francophonie network, specialized in research and knowledge. AUF works in many fields such as training, research, digitalization, university governance, entrepreneurship and students’ employability as well as sustainable development.

Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) – The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) is a regional network, working in 12 Arab countries with 9 national networks and 23 NGO members. ANND aims at strengthening the role of civil society, enhancing the values of democracy, respect of human rights and sustainable development in the region. It advocates for more sound and effective socio-economic reforms in the region, which integrates the concepts of sustainable development, gender justice, and the rights-based approach.

CFI, agence française de développement médias – A subsidiary of the France Média CFI, agence française de développement médias – A subsidiary of the France Médias Monde group and operator for the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, CFI actively promotes media development in Africa, the Arab world and South-East Asia. It works alongside the media and the civil society actors committed to pluralist and democratic information, and to sustainable development.

Lab’ess – First Tunisian social incubator and co-founder of the Social and Solidarity Economy network "Chabaka.tn", Lab'ess aims to actively contribute to the sustainable development of social innovation actors and to effectively respond to socio-economic needs in Tunisia.

Pitchworthy/ALtCity Impact – Pitchworthy is a Lebanese accelerator that runs social entrepreneurship and mentorship programs and workshops, supporting more than 350 social enterprises since 2015.