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Libraries Without Borders is an international nonprofit that expands access to information, education and cultural resources to vulnerable populations around the world. Our interventions address the structural causes of economic and human underdevelopment, reduce the digital divide, and promote cultural resilience. By focusing on the curation and customization of educational materials, along with the logistics and security involved with delivery, storage and construction of learning spaces, we have been able to develop innovative programs, create and re-envision library spaces and support librarians in over 25 countries. Most recently, we received the Library of Congress' International Literacy Award (2016) and won the Google Impact Challenge (2015). We advocate the idea of the library as a toolbox for communities to disseminate knowledge, promote social harmony, accompany the least fortunate, and ultimately, pursue human and economic development. We work in five areas of intervention: 1. EDUCATION LWB establishes libraries and information resource centers in universities and schools. This support manifests itself in the donation of materials, technical equipment, texts, and multimedia and electronic resources. LWB also provides support to teachers in their education responsibilities by putting in place educational resource centers as well as creating educational digital content. 2. INFORMATION AND CULTURE LWB supports the development of structures providing access to books, information and culture in developing countries. LWB enters into partnerships with libraries to help them develop their textual and digital resources and set up quality cultural programs. LWB also accompanies the creation of cultural projects for specific and disadvantaged groups such as visually impaired persons, prisoners and refugee populations. 3. CAPACITY BUILDING LWB initiates innovative specialized resource projects to reinforce the capacities of specific groups such as professionals from the medical or justice sectors. In facilitating access to verified and quality-controlled information, LWB accompanies their daily work in servicing their communities as well as their scientific research. 4. CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE LWB assists in the conservation and promotion of local written or oral heritage through the creation of specialized structures (libraries, cultural centers) and the training of personnel in these professions. Within the framework of promoting local knowledge and supporting publishers in developing countries, LWB also promotes the diffusion of local literature. 5. CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP LWB works alongside cultural entrepreneurs to design innovative and sustainable economic models. By setting up income-generating activities and training in management strategies, libraries are re-invented as social and cultural entrepreneurs with major economic benefits for their communities.

Emfasis is the brainchild of a team of Greek citizens living overseas who work hand in hand with social experts and volunteers, providing a humanitarian response to Greece's dire needs during one of its deepest socio-economic crisis in history. Emfasis was founded to address the holistic needs of all vulnerable and socially excluded groups in need of social, psychological , family support using the principles of Social Street Working as its main way of approach and identification of such groups. It also offers advisory support whilst devising a full care programme for each case. Emfasis Social Street Work operates on a neighborhood level, or at areas where it has been identified that there are vulnerable "pockets" of population. Emfasis applies a personal approach when assessing the essential individual requirements of the person in need - seeking fist to restitute his/her dignity, and provide adequate social, emotional and human support Emfasis supports any individual in need irrespective of age or race and is committed to: a non-judgmental approach and anti-discriminatory practices respect for discretion and confidentiality adapting constantly act effectively and efficiently without being bogged down to bureaucracy and excessive planning Emfasis is a non-profit organisation relying entirely on private and individual funding

The Women Inspiration Development Center (WIDC) is an initiative designed to create a safe place for Nigerian women and girls in challenging life circumstances to envision and create new possibilities for their lives, families and communities. WIDC is committed to advancing women's right and creating a refuge for victims of gender based violence and disenfranchised women and girls. Through agency-based empowerment, WIDC supports these women and girls as they improve their health, economic well-being and social status, leading fulfilling lives free of violence. We believe in the inherent potential and ability of every woman to overcome obstacles, take control of her life, emerge confident and strong, and make meaningful contributions to her society. WIDC was formed in 2009 by Busayo Obisakin along with a group of women friends and colleagues. Initially they called themselves Vigilantes against Violence and set out to curb the violence against women and girls through a variety of services and activities they offered throughout the local community. After a short while, it became clear that the name needed to change to reflect the widening scope of the work done by the group to help protect and improve the lives of women in the community. The group officially became registered as an organization, Women Inspiration Development Center, in 2010. Mission: To improve the health, economic, and social status of Nigerian women and girls in order to empower them to lead fulfilling lives free of violence. Vision: We envision a Nigeria where women and girls are empowered and they create new possibilities for themselves without fear or intimidation.

Story Tapestries is a leading arts service organization that serves our Montgomery County, Maryland community and beyond through: 1) Professional performances in storytelling, theater, dance, spoken word and other art forms in a variety of public spaces including community centers, local theaters, libraries, and schools; and 2) Workshops and in-depth training programs for adults and children to develop skills in various art forms, cultivating how to use the performing, visual, and literary arts to develop their voice, share their stories and increase their literacy, social-emotional and STEAM skills. We use the arts as a bridge to increase accessibility and equity in educational and community settings. Our aim is to establish coalitions of organizations and individuals prepared to support meaningful, long-lasting arts-based programs. Since becoming a 501c3 in 2010, we have reached more than 840,000 individuals collaborating with over 1,300 organizations. We present programs employing a team of 30 professional artists, who are also master educators. Our motto “Empower. Educate. Engage.” guides us to create collaborative arts programs that cater to communities’ needs through free or affordable performing arts events and workshops for families, children, community leaders, artists and educators. We collaborate with local arts and humanities organizations to design sustainable, multi-year arts programs with support from individual donors, foundations, corporations and government entities.

Vision Statement- To provide social restoration for third-world countries and the US in all phases of social interaction, including: health and medical, spiritual, social, educational, and vocational spheres of human existence. Mission Statement-The Inter-American Restoration Corporation is committed to addressing the needs of impoverished, underprivileged, or traumatized people, both at home and abroad. Established as a 501C3 corporation in 2002, IRC has strategically incorporated first-world resources, business practices, and efficiency with compassion and focus. The result has been to provide necessary and needed relief directly to the people who lack life's essential conveniences. Driven to satisfy the complete spectrum of the individual, IRC is dedicated to facilitating the spiritual, educational, physical, and the community needs of the person. As such, IRC directs projects geared toward the revitalization of the whole person and whole community. VALUES: 1) We Value the strength of community to empower operations, to leverage opportunities, and enhance communication. 2) We Value individual passions. 3) We Value organization that leads to efficient process, purposeful actions, and dynamic results.4) We Value Spiritual leadership as expressed in outward, inward and unseen actions. 5) We Value the necessity of empowering indigenous peoples to take control of their own social destiny. 6)We Value cultures of all kinds 7) We value opportunity.

To establish model medical facilities in order to alleviate the sufferings of poor and resource less patients and provide them quality medical care. To help the humanity in distress at times of natural calamities like Earth Quakes, Accidents, IDPs crisis and so forth. To conduct training programmes for Community Health Workers in collaboration with other community based organizations and donor agencies. To create awareness among the general public for improvement of their health through health education. To help deserving and talented students and provide financial support to widows and poor families who cannot afford treatment on their own. To achieve simple treatment goals through cost effective local medicines including Herbs and Folk Home Remedies designed to cure as many patients as possible with few side effects. To provide best possible treatment to the poor and needy patients through qualified and specialist doctors. To develop a Health Education Programme designed to improve the quality of life through preventative measures. To conduct training programmes for Community Health Workers in collaboration with other community based organizations and donor agencies. To establish a Centre of Excellence for the treatment of Tuberculosis (in line with WHOs, DOT programme), Hepatitis-C and other Infectious Diseases. To provide immediate relief in case of natural disasters and calamities and also to take active part in rehabilitation of the affected population.

Our mission is to provide outstanding education and leadership opportunities to women and youth. Leymah Gbowee is best known as the extraordinary woman who launched a powerful movement of thousands of women-from 16 different ethnic groups, across religious divides-to end Liberia's bloody civil war. Back in 1999, when the country, after a brief period of calm, was thrown once again into chaos, when women and children faced unprecedented levels of cruelty and displacement, when a quarter of a million people died and many more fled, and when the economic, political and educational systems threatened to completely collapse, the network of Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace took matters into their own hands. Boldly, the women marched in the streets; clamored for the deployment of foreign peacekeepers; demanded a ceasefire; spoke passionately in public forums; held pray-ins, sit-ins and a sex strike; demanded the resumption of peace talks when they stalled; and blockaded the peace talks with their bodies, forcing warlords to negotiate. With those actions, the women achieved the impossible without a single shot. They ended Liberia's civil war, deposing the nation's notorious leader Charles Taylor, ushering in a hopeful new period of democratic self-governance, and paving the way for the election of Liberia-and Africa's-first female president. But that was not the end of the story; in fact, it was the beginning. As history attests, peace is not a moment; it is a process. Building a lasting peace demands recognizing the importance of the empowerment and participation of women; that, in turn, demands ensuring that women and girls have access to education for life and leadership. It has been and remains the dream of Leymah Gbowee- awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her work in ending Liberia's civil war-to see women and girls empowered in Liberia, throughout West Africa, and worldwide to realize their own dreams and work confidently towards humanity's shared dream of peace and security. She believes that journey to sustainable peace must begin with girls' education. A major step towards achieving that goal came in 2012 when Gbowee founded the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa in Liberia. With offices in the capital city, Monrovia, GPFA is Liberia's leading grassroots, community-based organization dedicated to building sustainable peace in that country and throughout West Africa. It is focused on girls' education, women's empowerment, sustaining the peace, and ensuring security that goes beyond freedom from violence and war to encompass all aspects of human security-for food, health, environmental, personal, political and community security. In the short years since Leymah Gbowee founded the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa in Liberia, we have seen how eager Liberia's girls are to take advantage of the opportunity to follow their own dreams and help to make the dreams of their families and their communities come true. Today, GPFA is the leading grassroots, community-based organization in Liberia dedicated to building sustainable peace, increasing access to education for women and girls and supporting their full and active participation in the economic, social and political life of the country. GPFA achieves its goals through a comprehensive program of scholarships, mentoring, internships, leadership development and community-building activities.

OBAT Helpers works for the welfare, support, and rehabilitation of displaced and stateless people by providing programs to alleviate the daily suffering and burdens of thousands of Urdu speaking people (known as "Biharis") who are stranded in makeshift camps in Bangladesh. OBAT Helpers implements projects in education and vocational training, self- empowerment through micro-financing, health care with clinics, drinking water, proper sewerage, and emergency relief projects. The Biharis have been stranded in Bangladesh since it achieved independence from Pakistan in 1971. Referred to as, astranded Pakistanis,a this community was supposed to be repatriated to Pakistan after the two countries separated but most of them could not due to political complications. They are presently citizens of nowhere, unclaimed by either country and marked by the UNHCR as refugees, yet deprived of the rights of refugees. They still live in the camps/slums that were supposed to serve as their temporary shelter forty years ago. This population is scattered across sixty-six camps which house around 300,000 people. Anyone visiting these camps would see a family of 7-10 people sharing a living space of 8x10 ft.; open sewers and overflowing drains; a single toilet or two for one hundred or so people; innocent six or seven year olds who should be in schools, working for a living; high-infant mortality rates due to absence of medical facilities; lack of clean drinking water; terrible or no sanitation facilities and nothing but abject poverty. OBAT Helpers is the only organization in North America which is committed to helping the Biharis to become self-reliant and empowered through proper education, health care and micro financing projects. OBAT started with providing help to one camp in 2004, and now, it is improving the lives of people in more than 30 out of the total 66 camps, after just six years. This is almost half of the total number of camps in Bangladesh.

Outreach Uganda is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Colorado and dedicated to helping empower Ugandans, especially women and children, to rise out of poverty. To do this, we work with village groups in Uganda to bring hope and improve lives, especially in the areas of education, women's empowerment, and self-sufficiency through job creation. Initially, our village groups help support themselves and their families through sales of paper beaded jewelry and other craft items. The beaders save money from their bead sales so they can then start own group or individual businesses to supplement their income and eventually we hope it will be their main source of income. Micro-credit loans from their group's internal revolving loan fund provides additional help for the ladies to either start businesses or further expand their existing businesses to a level that will help them rise above poverty. As an organization, we emphasize to both our donors and our clients that we believe in truly empowering those we help. In everything we do, we seek to be a partner with those we serve so that they do not become dependent on us, and so that we do not take away their spirit of wanting to help themselves. We believe that income-generation of the women, and education of the children is the way that families can truly become empowered. But it is essential to take a holistic approach and focus on multiple areas, all of which impact the woman's income-generation potential. For instance, a woman must be relatively healthy to be a successful business owner. Therefore, we must also help a woman address issues of health. For many of our women in northern Uganda, agriculture and the raising of cash crops will be key to their income generation potential. Therefore, agricultural issues, water issues and even land access and rights become important areas to address.

Mission Statement To generate knowledge and enhance the capacity of citizens and organizations to influence public policy choices in order to consolidate democracy and good governance in Liberia. OUR VISION: We envision a society where IDA is the leading think tank in Liberia advocating for democracy. Gathering and sharing knowledge to promote feasible democratic alternatives that nurture sustainable development and promote a free, just and prosperous society Programs IDA's activities and programs are guided by the Institute's vision, set of core valves, and standard operating procedures, all of which embody the ethos of the Institute as envision in its mission statement. We recognize the importance of adherence to international best practices, and making use of lessons from other situations and context in the development and execution of policy and programs. Nonetheless, each of the institute's program and activities shall be informed by local reality, taking into account the specific situation, context and resources. Capacity Building for Civil Society, Public and Private Sector Institutions: IDA has developed an approach that provides tailored and specialized capacity enhancement programs aimed at strengthening the overall structures and capacities of civil society and private sector institutions. This is the core of our initiative-strengthening the operational and technical capacities of institutions and professionals to meet the growing demand within our emerging democracy. IDA believes in and promotes the exchange of knowledge, skills and experience as a means of encouraging human capital empowerment, a prerequisite for democratic development in Liberia. Citizen Engagement and Policy Reform: IDA upholds a practical approach to policy engagement and reform processes, which can be used as a model for policy advocacy and engagement in Liberia. The organization's approach is based on providing a space and a platform for citizens, civil society and other actors to dialogue with policymakers on issues affecting them. Our aim is to convene policymakers, service providers, citizens and other development stakeholders to play an influential role in policy. Fueling Civil Society-Private and Public Sector Partnerships: IDA believes that private, public and civil society sectors have to work in tandem to play mutually inclusive and beneficial roles in strengthening and sustaining democratic development in Liberia's post-recovery program. IDA's, approach is based on providing a neutral multi-stakeholder space for engagement with civil society and other stakeholders in service delivery, and to contribute to ongoing development in Liberia. Peace-Building and Local Governance: IDA-Liberia believes that peace-building and local governance are critical components of state-building processes-especially in countries that have experienced sustained violence over the years, such as Liberia and countries in the Mano River Basin. After over a decade of violent conflict, local governments have found themselves facing enormous challenges, both human and capital. And we believe this should be the heartbeat of community recovery program. For stability and development, it is necessary to improve and maintain citizen's security, to ingrate women, youth and ex-combatant participation in decision-making processes in the local community and, in this manner, to overcome existing divisions within the society. A very critical issues to focus on is addressing citizens' access to basic infrastructure and social services such as improved roads, clean water, well-equipped schools and comprehensive healthcare as well as providing ample and viable economic opportunities. Local authorities will often need to regain the trust of their population in setting development agendas and priorities. IDA-Liberia believes the challenges and issues of peace-building and governance can be addressed on the ground with proper designed programs and projects that are geared toward strengthening the capacities of citizens and local officials at community level.

Gruppo Aleimar is a non-profit voluntary organization that deals with children and families in need both in Italy and abroad, through the Distance Support, projects of development and awareness-raising and human development activities on the Italian territory. The main areas of our development projects are: 1. Education: taking charge of children in family (natural or adoptive), in foster homes and shelters, schooling and vocational training. 2. Health and hygiene awareness: support to clinics and / or hospitals, funding of surgical operations, seminars for young mothers. 3. Women promotion: start-up of agriculture and livestock, creation of production cooperatives, micro-credit financing. 4. Rural villages' development: water well, kindergarten, solar energy for light and water pumps. 5. Women' refuge and social housing for families in temporary need. The Aleimar Group is active today in 12 countries (Benin, Brazil, Colombia, D.R. Congo, Eritrea, India, Italy, Malawi, Palestine, Kenya, Lebanon, Zambia) with more than 50 projects and takes care directly of 600 children (what we call distance support) and, indirectly, of other 2,500 children that we follow within our projects. The Group comprises Aleimar for overseas project; Tuendelee for Italian projects and Prema, a cooperative for mentally disabled youth. The Group hires five people and relays on the voluntary service of 140 people. Its annual turnover is abt.1,2 million euro and overhead cost is less than 10%. Its balance sheet is checked and approved by internal auditors. We have been granted a seal of quality "Donare con fiducia" by the Istituto Italiano Donazione. Its web sites are: www.aleimar.it and www.tuendelee.net. In 30 years of activity the Group has helped more than 10.000 children/families, has built more than 100 foster homes, orphanages, schools and water wells.

Tiempo de Juego is a non-profit entity that seeks to foster the adequate use of free time among children and youth in the most vulnerable areas of Colombia. The foundation seeks to distance children from the social ills that surround them and educate them through strategies such as sports and cultural activities. Tiempo de Juego's mission is to spawn social cohesion and development through sports, cultural, recreational, and formative tools whose purpose is the generation of competencies, promotion of values, and the effective use of free time in a responsible and conscientious manner, generating a positive and replicable impact towards a better quality of life for the community and its surroundings. Tiempo de Juego was established in 2006, as a project for the "Communication for Development" program through the "Universidad de la Sabana". After an exhaustive study for more than three years in Cazuca, one of the most marginalized, deprived and violent areas of our country, it was detected that the lack of education and excess of time of the youth, and the fact about 70 percent of the population is classified displaced, was making them more vulnerable to joining different gangs, drug addiction, incurring early pregnancies, as well as being part of the armed outlaw groups that recruit them for very little money. Using soccer as a recreational tool for value formation, accompanied by art workshops, cultural and educational courses, we gathered 400 children between 5 and 18, and the foundation began to inculcate the proper use of leisure time as a positive and useful way to encourage the kids into a brighter and more positive future. Ever since Tiempo de Juego began to operate, the children and young people have changed as has the neighborhood environment. When they celebrate goals or they read a book, this does not seem the most depressing sector of Cundinamarca area, which according to official statistics, over the past 5 years, has had more than 850 murders of young people; this is the area with the highest rate of displacement population second to Choco. A zone where poverty and malnutrition, joining the gangs to participate in the conflict is just a daily experience, where those who are growing only aspire to be part of an armed group that inhabit the area. Tiempo de Juego uses soccer as its main intervention tool to address social problems due to its capacity to convene people and its pedagogical possibilities. The foundation belongs to the football street world network, associated to the FIFA, and applies the FIFA approved rules of street football as the mechanism for the formation of values, formal education as a basis of democracy and the cultural workshops looking to build a fairer society. Also, we work out the values with the parents to achieve a proper family environment. Since 2008, Tiempo de Juego has opened another chapter in Cartagena, Atlantic Cost City, making possible those children and youth of "Las Faldas de la Popa" also to receive these benefits and rights.