This reference paper aims to clarify the overall framework governing the membership admission mechanism of the Manara Network and to provide a clear and comprehensive reference for organizations and networks interested in joining. It seeks to ensure transparency, equal opportunities, and adherence to the principles of good governance.

The paper presents an overview of the Manara Network, its mission, objectives, and guiding values. It also outlines the nature of the relationship among member organizations and the frameworks for cooperation and coordination between them, in a manner that promotes collaborative action while respecting the institutional independence of each member.

In addition, the paper highlights the benefits of joining the Network, including opportunities for collaboration, capacity strengthening, and collective influence, as well as the potential risks and responsibilities associated with membership. This enables prospective members to make informed decisions regarding their participation.

The paper further defines the membership criteria and requirements, the obligations of members, and the procedures for submitting, reviewing, and deciding upon membership applications. New memberships are approved by the General Assembly through an absolute majority vote of the members present, following the completion of the assessment and recommendation process conducted by the competent bodies within the Network.

The paper also includes the Membership Application Form, which serves as the official instrument through which organizations express their interest in membership and declare their commitment to its conditions. The admission process culminates in the signing of a Partnership Agreement, and membership becomes effective as of the date on which the acceptance decision is formally approved.

This reference paper constitutes a regulatory framework designed to ensure the balanced and responsible growth of the Manara Network in line with its vision and mission, while strengthening its collective impact and sustainability.

1. Who We Are

1.1 About the Manara Network

The Manara Network was established in 2009 as a regional, non-profit, and non-partisan network officially registered in Lebanon. It currently brings together 12 organizations operating across 10 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. The Network works to promote and protect children’s rights, strengthen child participation, and improve child rights governance at both national and regional levels.

Manara develops strategic and policy-oriented alliances and fosters effective partnerships and networks to advance child rights and protection throughout the Arab region, including in conflict-affected countries and humanitarian contexts, ensuring that children’s rights are respected at all times.

The Network currently includes members from Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, and Palestine, and seeks to expand its membership to additional countries in the region, including Sudan, Libya, and Syria.

1.2 Areas of Work of the Manara Network

Monitoring and Advocating for Children’s Rights

The Network monitors the status of children’s rights, documents violations, and prepares national and regional reports, including alternative reports submitted to international human rights mechanisms. These efforts actively involve children and aim to strengthen accountability among states and relevant stakeholders regarding their obligations towards children’s rights.

Policy, Advocacy, and Public Investment in Children

Manara conducts evidence-based advocacy to influence legislation and public policies and to promote public investment in children. It works collaboratively with governments, parliaments, civil society organizations, and children at both national and regional levels.

Strengthening Child Protection Systems

The Network contributes to strengthening child protection systems by supporting the development of national policies and strategies, building institutional capacities, and reinforcing protection mechanisms within schools, municipalities, and governmental institutions to ensure effective and sustainable responses to child rights violations.

Strengthening the Capacities of Civil Society and Governments

Manara supports the capacity development of civil society organizations and its members by providing technical assistance and advisory services in human rights reporting, strategic planning, and the development of national child rights policies.

Our Commitment to Child Participation

The Manara Network places children’s participation at the core of its work and ensures their meaningful engagement in the design, implementation, and monitoring of programs, reporting processes, and advocacy activities, thereby empowering children and ensuring that their voices are reflected in decision-making processes.

2. Relationship with Partners and Members

2.1 Conceptual Framework of Partnership

The relationship among Manara Network members is based on its nature as a voluntary coalition of Arab civil society organizations working in the field of children’s rights and sharing common interests and objectives. The Network adopts international human rights law, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Arab Charter on the Rights of the Child as its primary references, ensuring the realization of the best interests of the child.

This partnership aims to promote the exchange of expertise and knowledge, monitor and assess the situation of children’s rights in the Arab world, analyze the alignment of national legislation with international standards, and provide a collective platform for advocacy at national, regional, and international levels.

2.2 Relationship Among Members

Although membership in the Network is voluntary, relationships among members are founded on mutual trust and professional commitment. These relationships are governed by a clear contractual framework, including compliance with the Network’s Child Protection Policies (attached to this reference paper), thereby promoting mutual accountability and safeguarding the best interests of children.

Member organizations undertake not to engage in any actions that may harm other members, to maintain open and constructive communication channels, and to work collaboratively and responsibly toward achieving the Network’s objectives and fulfilling its mandate.

2.3 Network Effectiveness and Sustainability of Partnerships

The effectiveness of the Manara Network depends on a genuine collective commitment to learning and development, as well as on members’ contributions to building the Network’s financial and human resources. This is done within a framework that preserves the Network’s independence and rights-based identity and protects it from political or conditional funding dependencies.

The Network also relies on sound leadership capable of strengthening cohesion among members, managing resources and donor relations efficiently and transparently, and fostering a democratic and participatory environment for decision-making and implementation. Manara is committed to developing continuous evaluation tools to review its objectives and activities and ensure their quality and impact.

All members are committed to working with children and applying child rights principles, including non-discrimination, gender equality, respect for children’s dignity and privacy, and ensuring meaningful and effective child participation at all levels of the Network’s work.

2.4 Specialized Committees

The Manara Network establishes specialized committees within its organizational structure as a key pillar of its working methodology and strategic implementation.

These committees provide interactive spaces for exchanging expertise among members and benefiting from their field-based knowledge, thereby supporting policy development and implementation and enhancing the Network’s regional and international presence through a decentralized and integrated approach.

2.5 Relationship with Donors

The Manara Network seeks to build funding relationships with donors who share its vision and objectives, while emphasizing that donors are not considered members of the Network.

Relationships with donors are based on flexibility and mutual respect and differ from traditional donor–NGO models. The Network is committed to diversifying its funding sources and increasing reliance on its own resources in order to preserve its independence and maintain a strong rights-based advocacy voice.

Manara also leverages its human resources and expertise as a funding asset by implementing income-generating initiatives, such as establishing capacity-building units and providing fee-based training services to other organizations and networks.

3. Benefits and Risks of Joining the Manara Network

Networking is based on the premise that the impact of a network exceeds the sum of the individual contributions of its members. While this assumption is grounded in the principles of collaboration and complementarity, it requires continuous review and assessment in practice.

3.1 Benefits of Membership

Membership in the Manara Network offers several advantages, including:

• Enhanced access to expertise, knowledge, information, and opportunities for coordination and exchange among members.
• Expanded access to technical and financial resources through collective action.
• Improved organizational effectiveness and greater capacity for communication, advocacy, and influence.
• Increased influence on policy and strategy development at national and regional levels.
• Opportunities to develop joint programs and initiatives and launch new projects.
• Enhanced legitimacy of member organizations, reduced isolation, and greater mutual support and solidarity in addressing challenges.
• Expanded influence over decision-makers, policies, and practices at local, national, regional, and international levels.

3.2 Risks of Membership

Potential risks associated with membership may include:

• Concerns about losing part of an organization’s institutional independence.
• Overlapping or unclear responsibilities and mandates among members where accountability frameworks are weak or absent.
• The possibility of domination by more active members or weak leadership, potentially affecting the Network’s internal balance and effectiveness.

The Manara Network seeks to mitigate these risks through clear governance structures, transparent accountability mechanisms, and participatory practices that ensure balance, respect member independence, and prioritize the best interests of the child.

4. Membership

Membership in the Manara Network is restricted to organizations and national networks working in the field of children’s rights and is not granted to individuals.

Any non-governmental civil society organization that meets the membership criteria may apply for membership, provided that the Network does not exceed two members (organizations or networks) from the same country.

Membership applications are reviewed by the Executive Council and submitted to the General Assembly at its first regular meeting for ratification. Membership is approved by an absolute majority vote of the members present.

4.1 Membership Criteria

To be eligible for membership, an organization must:

• Be legally registered and have been established for at least three years.
• Work in one or more areas related to children’s rights and have objectives and a mission aligned with those of the Manara Network.
• Operate within national contexts while maintaining an Arab identity.
• Have a clear vision, objectives, and activities documented in its programmatic framework, including implementation and evaluation mechanisms.
• Have internal regulations defining decision-making processes, organizational and administrative structures, governing bodies and their mandates, membership criteria, and accountability mechanisms.
• Possess audited financial statements certified by a licensed auditor and approved by the competent authorities.
• Have issued at least one annual report documenting its activities and achievements.
• Ensure that its activities are consistent with the objectives and purposes outlined in its programmatic framework.
• Ensure that its Chairperson, President of the General Assembly, Executive Director, or General Director does not hold a governmental position, particularly as a Minister, Deputy Minister, or Director General.
• Commit to paying the Network’s annual membership fee of USD 300.
• Provide written approval of the Manara Network’s Statutes and Internal Regulations.