Who is the Network for Dialogue?
The Network for Dialogue is a joint initiative of the Dutch peacebuilding organization PAX and the Rome-based think tank Istituto Affari Internazionali. N4D’s International Ambassadors, a network of prominent Arab, European, and American supporters of and experts on civil society in the MENA region, advise and assist it in its work. N4D’s small staff are all experts on the MENA region. They bring a broad range of functional expertise to N4D, including on peacebuilding, grassroots organizing, mediation and facilitation, civil society, social movements, political development, policy advocacy, and democratization.
Where do N4D convenings take place?
The Network for Dialogue seeks to provide quiet spaces for MENA civic leaders to be able to engage in strategic dialogue. N4D works with universities and policy institutes in the Middle East and North Africa and in Europe to make available such platforms for dialogue.
What kind of support does N4D provide?
The Network for Dialogue is not a foundation. It provides MENA civic leaders primarily the time and space and expertise to convene strategic dialogues, rather than money. N4D identifies worthy dialogue projects, then seeks funders to help support them. N4D covers the cost of conference facilities, accommodation, airfare, local transportation and visas for participants. In certain circumstances, N4D may also consider compensating the dialogue organizer for their time. In addition, N4D is prepared to provide such technical assistance as help in structuring an effective dialogue process and advice on the mechanics of horizontal collaborations, professional facilitation and subject matter or country experts, and linking participants with counterparts from other countries who have grappled with similar challenges.
What criteria does N4D use to select projects for support?
The Network for Dialogue evaluates projects according to whether they:
- Bring together a broad range of stakeholders AND try to tackle an important societal or community challenge.
- Have a concrete objective for year one AND the organizational capability to accomplish it.
- Have the potential should they achieve that objective to have significant impact on their community or society AND the potential for that group of people to then build on that success to do more.
- Require the support of a partner such as the Network for Dialogue for their success.
How is N4D funded?
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Shiraka program provided the initiative’s initial funding. Several other funding organizations have committed to review worthy proposals, with a view to supporting projects that match their programmatic priorities.