Al Murunah+

Improving gender dynamics is a critical enabler for the successful implementation of Nature Based Solutions (NBS). Al-Murunah+ enhances the core Al-Murunah project by integrating NBS with household resilience-building to promote positive gender norms across Al-Murunah pilot sites in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).

By supporting sustainable agriculture and water management with targeted household-level interventions—including asset transfers and Islamic revolving funds—the project empowers vulnerable groups, particularly women. It positions gender equity not only as a social imperative but also as a critical enabler for climate adaptation, water security, and sustainable livelihoods. This holistic model amplifies environmental outcomes while driving economic and social development.

Project Objectives and Activities

The objectives of Al-Murunah+ are to advance positive gender norms and household resilience through weekly sessions that strengthen household planning, budgeting, decision making and resilience to shocks. These sessions will be followed by economic interventions for the households to improve financial access for women, while at the same time build their voice and leadership opportunities in the community through community leader engagements.

Knowledge Generation and Innovation

The project distinguishes itself through its focus on the generation of a strong evidence base that would quantify the relationship between climate change adaptation and changes in social and gender norms. Al-Murunah+ includes rigorous baseline and end-line evaluations, alongside the development of training materials and knowledge products to support replication and policy engagement. These outputs are designed to inform scale-up efforts and attract investment from development finance actors seeking data-driven, inclusive climate adaptation models.

The Proof of Concept for Scaling

The scaling potential of Al-Murunah+ is grounded in its ability to demonstrate that gender-transformative approaches significantly enhance the impact and sustainability of Nature-Based Water Solutions. The project adapts proven interventions—such as the EA$E model which was adapted and implemented in Syria and Burundi.

Key factors supporting scale-up

• – Positive feedback from national focal points, local leaders, and farmers during engagements in Al Murunah’s third year;
• – A robust monitoring and evaluation framework, including independent impact assessments;
• – A growing cross-country community of practice, fostering peer learning and regional uptake;
• – Strategic alignment with development and Islamic financing goals, including poverty reduction, resilience, and inclusive economic empowerment.

This positions Al-Murunah+ as a bankable model for expansion across Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the OPTs, and wider MENA region.

Download the Al Murunah+ Fact Sheet

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