The Middle East and North Africa Social Policy Network (MENASP) is delighted to announce the publication of its End-of-Project Report, marking the culmination of a five-year initiative funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) under the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).
The project, Strengthening Social Protection, Security and Welfare in the MENA Region, was carried out in partnership with the University of Birmingham, Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and an extensive network of UK and international collaborators. It introduces a critical paradigm shift in addressing conflict in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by integrating social policy and social protection into conflict prevention strategies.
Key Findings
The report reveals that traditional approaches to conflict in the MENA region often focus on elite negotiations, foreign aid and technical fixes for democracy and human rights, while neglecting the socioeconomic dimensions of conflict. It highlights how grievances rooted in precarious work, social exclusion and unequal access to resources drive unrest and instability. Social policy, the report argues, is both a powerful driver of conflict and a potential tool for peacebuilding.
The project explored critical questions, including:
- How does social policy interact with processes of violence and conflict prevention in MENA?
- What gaps exist in social policy governance across the region?
- How can social policy be integrated into conflict prevention frameworks?
A New Perspective on Peacebuilding
Through innovative research and capacity-building efforts, the project has demonstrated how effective social policy governance can create more equitable, cohesive communities and provide pathways to peace. The findings underscore the importance of addressing community-level grievances and integrating localised, solution-driven approaches into broader policy frameworks.
A Collaborative Effort
This cross-disciplinary initiative brought together academics and practitioners from the UK and international partners across MENA and beyond, including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria, Canada, Sri Lanka, the USA and South Africa. Together, they have mapped the complex political, institutional, and economic factors that shape the interplay between social policy and conflict in the region.
Access the Report
You can download the Report and its Summary from the links below.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners, collaborators and funders for their invaluable contributions to this important work.