Backing the people turning ideas into action in the Middle East
Ideas Beyond Borders distributes knowledge in local languages, supports girls’ education, and backs entrepreneurs across the Middle East and Afghanistan. We help people access information, continue learning, and put their ideas to work.
How We Do It
Expanding access to knowledge
We distribute books, articles, videos, and podcasts in local languages through the platforms people use every day. Our work helps millions access knowledge and independent reporting, including subjects restricted by censorship.
Backing entrepreneurs
We provide flexible funding for businesses and local projects. We also work with partners on reforms that make it easier to start and run a business.
Supporting girls’ education
We support Afghan educators running underground classrooms so girls can continue learning despite the Taliban’s restrictions.
Latest from IBB
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Selected from more than 4,200 submissions worldwide, IBB earned a place among the finalists for Quality Education for All.
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Across the Middle East and Afghanistan, people are expanding access to knowledge and building opportunities in their own communities. IBB helps them carry that…
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Faisal Saeed Al Mutar grew up in Iraq through the wars that followed 9/11. Now IBB’s president, he reflects on what that experience taught…
Our Impact
What Our Work Has Made Possible
Millions accessing knowledge in their own languages. Afghan girls continuing their education. Entrepreneurs securing funding to put their plans into practice.
These figures show the reach of that work across the Middle East and Afghanistan.
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8.6M
followers across platforms
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1B
views of our articles, books, videos, and podcasts through the House of Wisdom 2.0
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100,000
people indirectly benefited from the work of our 200+ Innovation Hub grantees
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20,000
girls studying in covert schools in Afghanistan since 2021
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15,978
new business registrations in Kurdistan since IBB-backed reforms
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100,000
monthly views for IBB’s Middle East Uncovered publication
Our Worldwide Partners
We’ve Been Featured
Back the People Doing the Work
Help people distribute knowledge, keep girls learning, and build businesses in their communities. Your donation gives them resources to carry that work forward.
We ensure your gift is used in the most efficient way to maximize its impact.
80%
Programs
80 cents of every dollar we spend goes directly to programs supporting the people that need it.
16%
Administration
16 cents of every dollar goes toward essential services that enable IBB to operate.
4%
Fundraising
Only 4 cents of every dollar goes to supporting our contributors.