Who We Are
Vision
An enabling environment for a functional information ecosystem which upholds democracy, participation, and freedom of expression in Lebanon and the wider MENA region. All have the freedom to write, meet and speak freely and equality, inclusivity and human rights are upheld.
Mission
Maharat is a women-led freedom of expression organization based in Beirut dedicated to campaigns grounded in research and strengthening connections between journalists, academics, and policy makers.
It advances and enables freedom of expression, quality information debate and advocates for information integrity online and offline. Maharat promotes innovation and engages the journalistic community and change agents within Lebanon and the wider, MENA region to promote inclusive narratives and debates and to counter misinformation, disinformation, and harmful content.
Goal 1: Expand research on the media and information space in the region.
Goal 2: Innovate the media space in the region.
Goal 3: Make the information and media space safer by engaging with the region’s public and media industry and continue to innovate international advocacy strategies.
Goal 4: Ensure the organizational strength and innovation of Maharat.
Maharat Foundation receives financial support to implement its projects according to its strategic plan from a group of donors, including United Nations development agencies such as UNWomen, the EU Delegation in Lebanon, and international institutions such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Global Affairs Canada (GAC) through the Middle East Support Services Project (ME-FSSP), the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), Deutsche Welle Akademie (DWA), the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), and Free Press Unlimited (FPU).
However, receiving financial support does not mean that Maharat changes its mission and priorities according to the donors. Donors do not interfere in Maharat's strategy and ways of implementation including editorial content.
