Facebook MENA Community Accelerator Program Now Accepting Applications

Facebook’s ‘MENA 2021 Community Accelerator Program’ is now accepting applications. In partnership with Rise-up, the program focuses on helping leaders harness the power of their community to transform ideas into action. Selected leaders will receive extensive training and funding of up to $50,000 to develop their communities initiatives, while the most auspicious community group initiatives will be eligible to receive part of the $1 million in additional funding.

Successful applicants will be enrolled into an eight-month program in which they will receive organisational training and a tailored curriculum of educational sessions delivered by experts and coaches, designed to support them in strengthening their communities as well as planning and executing their initiatives.

The three-phase programme will commence with participants receiving training on community building and sustainability. They will also be provided with early access to new Facebook products to support the management and activation of members. Participants will then begin working towards developing and mobilising their community around their chosen initiative. Once established, ideas will be showcased to an audience of potential partners, mentors, and a panel of judges who will reward the most promising initiatives with additional funding. Following this, participants will then begin working with their communities and the Facebook team to activate these initiatives and deliver positive change.

“Facebook communities and their leaders are helping to resolve social challenges, sharing knowledge and information, while connecting with others that share their interests or passion for a cause,” said Kiran Yoliswa, Partner Management Lead, Middle East and Africa Community Partnerships at Facebook.”

“We've seen so many incredible communities from across South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria using our platform to drive change and provide support and encouragement for thousands of people, we’re excited to offer their Facebook Community leaders this program to help amplify their impact even more,“ she added.

The program is open to all communities with a presence in Facebook Groups, leaders must live in Egypt and be over 18 years old. The eligibility criteria further entails the community must have existed for over a year and have a minimum of 1,000 members.

Applications will remain open until May 31st.