Founded in May 2008, Social Media Exchange is a social enterprise that leverages digital and social media to empower and inform innovative advocates for participatory Arab society. Registered as a Lebanese NGO (no. 165) in 2010, SMEX’s mission is to leverage digital tools for better networking among Arab civil society organizations and activists. We apply for grants from both governmental and nongovernmental bodies to fund programs in the following areas:

• Access to information and knowledge-sharing, through training, both on-site and online at the SMEX Learning Center
• Arabic-language content creation
• Cross-border, learning-centered collaboration and exchange

Within these areas, we have built a website for Lebanon’s National Network for the Right to Access Information to support passage of draft access to information legislation, successfully campaigned against an ill-conceived E-transactions law, translated several social media for activism guides from English to Arabic and produced dozens of training materials, as well as hosted the second Arab Techies gathering of 35 socially-minded, technologically adventurous women from around the region.

This year, we launched MADskills, the second edition of our six-month social media trainer certification program that combines online and offline learning, events, and practical training exercises. The 2011 class graduated in December.

Often our training naturally evolves into coaching and consulting with NGOs and social enterprises on how to integrate social media into projects and programs.

We are currently establishing an advisory board.