Research Programs
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Research Program

Gerhart Center’s research program has become a leading hub of evidence-based research and knowledge on Social Responsibility in the Arab world and Africa. The research activities and programs of the center serve as a neutral platform and a knowledge hub for academics, practitioners, and communities concerned with social impact. The program develops and disseminates rigorous researches that fill relevant knowledge gaps in the social impact space and congregate diverse voices through different convening activities.

Activities:

  • Developing original mapping studies and surveys on innovations and interventions of the institutionalized social investment and giving sector
  • Endorsing policy discussion papers that present comparative research and address current or foreseen policy issues by providing recommendations to the policy debate and key stakeholders
  • Holding policy roundtables, workshops, and conferences to create awareness and stimulate policy debate. These roundtables also serve as a platform for the emergence and growth of a community of practice for foundations, social entrepreneurs, philanthropy and civic engagement scholars, and young researchers in the region

Base of the Pyramid Global Network x John D. Gerhart Center

Gerhart Center and Enterprise for a Sustainable World (ESW), in collaboration with the BoP Global Network Labs around the world organized the first MENA BoP (Bottom of the Pyramids) Global Network Summit in October 2019. The main theme of the 2019 summit was Community-Based Frugal Innovation (frugal innovations that are led and owned by the community), with four main sub themes: Grassroots Innovation, Schooling at the BoP, Affordable Housing, and Access to Health Services at BoP. The three days event brought expertise from different parts of the world, to meet with selected Egyptian BoP communities, in order to share experiences, showcase best practices, and explore opportunities of partnerships and localization of successful models.

Takaful Annual Conference

Takaful is an annual regional meeting of scholars, young researchers, foundations and CSOs, private sector, policy makers and practitioners in the field of philanthropy and Civic Engagement. The conference provides a unique creative space to discuss original research and showcase work in the field. It is structured to encourage interaction between scholarly analysis and lived experience. Throughout the years it has been hosted in various countries including: Amman, Cairo, Beirut, Tunis and Abu-Dhabi.