Community of Practice

MENA Cash Community of Practice (CoP)

Welcome to the online hub for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Community of Practice. This space provides an overview of CVA activities and initiatives in the region, and hosts key resources. To access all resources for the MENA region, click here

Below you will find key resources, learning and information related to CVA activities and initiatives in the region, including the IFRC Regional CVA Roadmap; priority areas and activities of the MENA CoP, including proceedings of its monthly meetings; a space for the MENA Cash Centre of Excellence (CCoE), including information on its programmes and activities; along with case studies and learning produced by National Societies across the region.

Latest News

We are delighted to launching our 4th Peer-to-Peer Exchange Program (Cross-Regional Edition).

The CVA Peer-to-Peer Exchange Program (Cross-Regional Edition), organised by the MENA Cash Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the Turkish Red Crescent and IFRC, will take place in Türkiye from November 3–7, 2025.

This initiative brings together CVA practitioners from MENA and Europe National Societies to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and strengthen their technical skills in Cash & Voucher Assistance.

📌 Applications are now open! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to advancing CVA practices across regions.

👉 Apply Here Before Wednesday September 10 2025:  https://forms.office.com/r/qB3chTAebR

سيُعقد البرنامج الرابع لتبادل التعلم بين الأقران /النظراء في المساعدات النقدية والقسائم (CVA) – النسخة الإقليمية المشتركة, والذي ينظمه مركز التميز النقدي لمنطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا بالتعاون مع الهلال الأحمر التركي والاتحاد الدولي لجمعيات الصليب الأحمر والهلال الأحمر، في تركيا خلال الفترة من 3 إلى 7 نوفمبر 2025.

تهدف هذه المبادرة إلى جمع الممارسين في مجال المساعدات النقدية والقسائم من الجمعيات الوطنية في منطقتي الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا وأوروبا، لتبادل المعارف، ومشاركة الخبرات، وتعزيز مهاراتهم الفنية في هذا المجال.

باب التقديم مفتوح الآن! 📌 
لا تفوتوا هذه الفرصة للتواصل والتعلم والمساهمة في تطوير ممارسات المساعدات النقدية والقسائم عبر الأقاليم.

 قدّموا طلبكم من خلال الرابط 👉

We’re delighted to introduce the remarkable individuals behind the MENA CVA Mentoring Programme, an initiative spearheaded by the MENA Cash Centre of Excellence.Both mentors and mentees bring diverse backgrounds and unique expertise, and are making significant contributions to the CVA sector. These individuals are the embodiment of the collaborative spirit that underpins the MENA CVA Mentoring Programme for 2023-2024.Meet the Mentors (EN) (AR)


CVA Mentoring Programme in MENA: meet the Mentors & Mentees

We’re delighted to introduce the remarkable individuals behind the MENA CVA Mentoring Programme, an initiative spearheaded by the MENA Cash Centre of Excellence.

Both mentors and mentees bring diverse backgrounds and unique expertise, and are making significant contributions to the CVA sector. These individuals are the embodiment of the collaborative spirit that underpins the MENA CVA Mentoring Programme for 2023-2024.

Meet the Mentors (EN) (AR)


MENA Cash Community of Practice (CoP) 

The MENA Regional CVA Community of Practice (CoP) brings together the CVA technical focal points from MENA National Societies, along with other Movement partners working in the region. 

The main objective of the CoP is to foster a platform and space for technical coordination, information management, collaboration and peer-to-peer exchange and support on CVA activities, experiences and lessons learned among Movement partners in the region. The CoP works in furtherance of the IFRC MENA CVA Regional Roadmap, and in alignment with the strategic priorities within the IFRC’s Strategy 2030 and Agenda for renewal, and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement CVA Strategic Framework.  

The CoP’s activities are facilitated by the IFRC’s MENA Regional CVA Coordinator. 


MENA Cash Centre of Excellence (CCoE) 

The MENA Cash Centre of Excellence (CCoE) was established in 2021 as a regional resource, piloting the Centre of Excellence concept under shared leadership, with the overall vision to support CVA strengthening of National Societies in the MENA region, in alignment with the IFRC’s MENA CVA Regional Roadmap.

The Centre supports regional capacity strengthening, knowledge management, learning and evidence, and advocacy on CVA, including facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges, and offering an innovative mentoring programme for MENA regional CVA practitioners.

The Centre is hosted by the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), under the umbrella of and working in close coordination with the IFRC, and with support from the British Red Cross and the Movement’s Cash Hub.


MENA Capacity Building & Mentorship Initiatives

This section covers programs in the MENA region that focus on learning from peers and mentoring. These initiatives help individuals build skills, share knowledge, and gain support through structured guidance and collaboration with others.


MENA RCRC National Societies Collaborating with CCOE: Experiences and Insights

This video highlights the work of the Cash Centre of Excellence (CCoE) and showcases the active engagement of several National Societies from the MENA region in various CCoE-led activities. It reflects the spirit of regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint efforts to strengthen cash preparedness and response across the Movement.


Syria earthquake response: Find the latest resources

3 July 2023

SARC CVA Earthquake Intervention Plan 2023

This document outlines procedures and steps needed to implement the cash and voucher interventions in relation to the…

3 July 2023

SARC Multisectoral Market Assessment

This document outlines the purpose and process of the rapid market assessment conducted by SARC in the February…

3 July 2023

SARC Post Distribution Monitoring Survey

Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) Survey conducted by SARC in the February 2023 post-earthquake response


17 July 2025

Voices from Yemen: From Conflict to Hope – How cash assistance helped Bashir rebuild

Type:

Video

Organization:

Norwegian Red Cross, Yemen Red Crescent

Bashir shares his powerful story of displacement, the struggle to find shelter, and living in fear amid ongoing conflict in Yemen. Faced with immense hardship, cash assistance became a crucial…

  • Cash in conflict

12 March 2025

Driving with Change: MENA Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Newsletter

Type:

Newsletter

Organization:

Cash Centre of Excellence, IFRC

The latest edition of the MENA Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Newsletter, titled “Driving with Change: CVA in the MENA Region” highlights the key developments and achievements in 2024, featuring…

  • MENA Community of Practice

17 February 2025

Cash for Work in Livelihoods: Processes and Challenges Encountered in SARC’s Experience

Type:

Report

Organization:

Cash Centre of Excellence, IFRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent

This report was written by Khaled Maadani as part of the MENA CVA Mentoring programme. This paper explores the challenges preventing the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) from implementing Cash-for-Work…

  • MENA Community of Practice

17 February 2025

Integrated approach of Needs and Market Assessment for effective CVA Programming in Southern Iraq

Type:

Report

Organization:

Cash Centre of Excellence, IFRC, Iraq Red Crescent Society

This report was written by Mohammad Al Qassab as part of the MENA CVA Mentoring programme. Discover how needs and market assessments in southern Iraq help improve humanitarian aid and…

  • MENA Community of Practice

17 February 2025

The impact of operational planning on organizational development to deliver CVA to the affected beneficiaries

Type:

Report

Organization:

Cash Centre of Excellence, IFRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent

This report was written by Mohammad Nahas as part of the MENA CVA Mentoring programme and examines the role of operational planning for CVA in improving efficiency, reducing waste, and…

  • MENA Community of Practice

11 February 2025

How can CVA for Livelihoods be developed to be more efficient and sustainable?

Type:

Report

Organization:

Cash Centre of Excellence, IFRC

This report was written by Christina Abi Rafeh as part of the MENA CVA Mentoring programme. Discover how Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) is transforming humanitarian aid and livelihoods programs…

  • Livelihoods

In partnership with:

British Red Cross