FAQ
What does Mideast Youth have to offer?
Our aim is to offer the public what mainstream media constantly lacks – uncensored information, personal anecdotes from underrepresented minorities, highlighting ignored or forgotten human rights abuses, articles that focus on unique and youthful art, music and culture. In terms of content we offer much more. The website serves as an interactive and educational platform for our readers and participants. We aim to be a place where we can be proud of our diversity yet united in the name of the values we promote: human rights, religious freedom, tolerance, and free speech.
How does Mideast Youth pick and choose its projects?
Here’s the main question we ask ourselves when considering whether to take on a project: how far under the radar is this issue? The thing is, we’re not a huge team and our capacity is limited. We don’t have the power to raise tons of money, pull lots of strings, or otherwise make things happen. We unfortunately can’t be “Superman to the rescue” for victims of injustice or persecution. At least not yet! For now, we’ve found that we’re pretty good at one single thing: finding underreported causes and using our new media skills to whip up thoughtful, highly creative ways of getting the word out. It may not seem like much, but that’s how we’re able to help from our small position in the scheme of things.
Sources of funding?
For the first two years, Mideast Youth had no sources of funding, and relied entirely on donations from our readers and authors. As we expanded our influence and campaigns throughout the region, the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School awarded us a prestigious Berkman Award in 2008, which came with $10,000. This kept us going until 2009, when we competed in the Echoing Green competition for leading social entrepreneurship projects. Out of a pool of hundreds of competitors, Mideast Youth was selected amongst the 15 winners in 2009 ($60,000 distributed over the course of two years.) We have a strong policy against political funding, such as the U.S State Department, which you can read more about here. Most recently, we received a grant from the Omidyar Network to help fund the development of our future projects. We also earn our own income with services like these and through occasional design/development work for a range of clients. We also welcome you to donate to help us keep running!
When and where was this started?
The website was created on May of 2006 in a small town in Bahrain by Esra’a Al Shafei, the current Director of Mideast Youth.
Read our “about” page for more information on what we’re about and what we’re looking to change.
Do you have a question that isn’t answered here? contact us and ask. Want to get involved? Join us.
