The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is made up of 23 countries, each with a unique demographic, cultural, religious and socio-economic profile.

Civil society organizations in the region are still fragile, and not recognized as a priority by donors and the international community.

The poor functioning or lack of organization of civil society in this sub-region is the result of less capacity for intervention, social stigmatization, and the non-recognition of these organizations by governments.