Far out among the distant Indonesian lands, where going to school used to mean setting off on a risky daily trek, small boats now carry students safely over calm waters towards their welcoming classrooms. This heartwarming scene is just one ripple in the wave of change that the Tadamon program has been creating; a transformation unfolding over the past five years, igniting hope, innovation, and transformation across the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries.
By strengthening the diverse skills of over 720 NGOs/CSOs and their 1,440 members. It has contributed to poverty alleviation, food security, disaster response, job creation, and improved health and education outcomes for over 467,000 people in 34 countries* across the Muslim world. Thanks to Tadamon's support, these CSOs have raised over $17.6 million in additional support for their communities.
But what makes Tadamon so special? It's the stories of the people and communities uplifted, the organizations empowered, and the lives forever changed. Let’s navigate through the impactful results Tadamon has made, celebrating the power of community and the spirit of solidarity.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Behind every statistic is a life changed:
- 44,074 children now have access to education, thanks to digital initiatives and the construction of 9 schools.
- 100,739 people have been assisted in alleviating food insecurity, including providing iftar meals during Ramadan in Türkiye.
- 101,565 individuals received essential needs like food, shelter, and healthcare.
- 18,521 young people and women have been equipped with skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
- 102,868 people benefited from medical care and training, enhancing healthcare access.
- 160,373 individuals have been supported in disaster response and recovery, including building 43 resilient homes for vulnerable families.
- 14,277 jobs were created, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
These numbers reflect the profound changes that have been made possible through numerous programs, but the success of Tadamon’s efforts, and its results, can also be seen in its detailed country-level impact Booklets, which provide case studies and key insights into the impact per country. You can also read more about Tadamon’s Success Stories here: tadamon.community/success-stories
Innovation Driving Change
Tadamon believes in the power of innovation to break barriers. At the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy (CFA), we train non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) on how to prepare and run successful crowdfunding campaigns. We equip them with a comprehensive set of knowledge, skills, and tools to turn them into crowdfunding champions.
The Tadamon CFAs have been implemented across 34 OIC member countries, including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Guinea, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, State of Palestine, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. We've also implemented thematic academies focusing on general crowdfunding, women empowerment, and green initiatives, addressing specific areas of need and fostering targeted impact.
While our remarkable results stemmed from the strength of the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy program, innovation didn’t stop at crowdfunding!
Tadamon's Grants Program has fueled 19 initiatives that harness technology and innovative ideas to address pressing issues. From introducing solar energy solutions to creating digital education platforms, CSOs are further transforming their communities.
Tadamon Accelerator: A Path to Scaling Impact
Building on the success of the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy, the Tadamon Accelerator takes impact to the next level. Designed as an intensive acceleration program, the Tadamon Accelerator supports CSOs with scalable solutions to complex local, regional, and global challenges. With a comprehensive approach that blends innovation and impact-acceleration strategies, through expert-led training and equity-free grants, this initiative empowers changemakers to scale their innovations for greater resilience and impact. The Accelerator received 345 applicants from 28 countries, with 50 CSOs selected to participate in the first edition of the program.
Participants underwent a series of focused sprints, refining their initiatives in areas such as impact management, business development, and digital transformation. These CSOs are equipped with the tools and networks to address some of the most pressing issues facing their communities and impacting 166,825 individuals.
Photo source: Taderok organisation
Real Impact on Real Lives: Stories That Inspire
Sailing Toward Education
Children from East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia faced perilous journeys to schools, having to ride makeshift boats and navigate treacherous waters. Through the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy, the team from Rumah Asuh learned how to share their story with the world.
"The Crowdfunding Academy has been very helpful for us, improving our knowledge and skills in fundraising," says program leader Asep Nugraha. "However, crowdfunding is not only about funding; it's also about learning how to communicate your emotional story to others. This Tadamon project gave us the spirit to expand our work to other islands to carry out the same program."
Their campaign raised over $56,463 providing ten school boats that now ensure safer passage for eager young learners and easier access to education.
From the Streets to Self-Sufficiency
On the buzzing streets of Casablanca, the Jood Association witnessed the struggles of homelessness and decided to act. Participating in the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy, they raised over $1,041,000 through two successful campaigns, surpassing their initial goals and transforming countless lives.
"The most striking aspect is witnessing the dreams of 23 homeless individuals come true—regaining a small shelter and financial independence," shares Myriam Benzakour, Director of Operations and Communications. "This campaign was a major challenge for us, and we joined the Tadamon program to receive mentorship and guidance to meet every challenge and make a success of our first fundraising campaign."
Inspired by the power of community support, the second campaign, launched in response to the earthquake in Morocco, was focused on rebuilding sustainable housing for families affected by the disaster. Through their efforts, 50 houses are rebuilt, and 492 individuals have been socially and professionally reintegrated, turning despair into hope.
Photo credit: Association of Northern Women Entrepreneurs
Building Futures for Women
Across Sokoto State, Nigeria, women have long faced significant barriers to education and employment due to enduring gender inequalities. The Association of Northern Women Entrepreneurs (ANWE) recognized this challenge and established the Sustainable Impact Hub, providing training in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and life skills.
"The concept of creating a female-centric hub has been in development since 2018," explains Hafsat Dange, Project Manager at ANWE. "However, we couldn't fully realize this vision until we encountered the Tadamon Accelerator Program. Being selected to participate marked a turning point for us."
They trained 147 individuals, including 107 women, empowering them to start their businesses and achieve financial independence. This initiative created a network of women supporting each other's growth, enabling them to take control of their futures. One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Lawal, shares her experience: "The entrepreneurship training helped me start my business. I now support myself financially."
Establishing Bridges: Capacity Building and Networking
By now, it is clear that Tadamon isn't just about funding; it's about making good organizations visible and helping them accelerate their work and connect with changemakers around the world. By strengthening networks among CSOs, providing training, and fostering collaboration, Tadamon has amplified their impact across the OIC member states.
Alaa Halayka, founder of Raseel in Palestine, highlights the importance of community engagement: "What I took away from the campaign was that it is important to create a message that people can relate to. The language and methods that you use matter to this end. Know your target and don’t underestimate the power of the community you are supporting. They are experiencing the issue firsthand; they should be spokespeople for you and their children."
Tadamon initiated Tadamon Talks, a webinar series focusing on alternative finance to empower CSOs. These webinars serve as a forum for sharing insights about related topics, from crowdfunding to digital transformation, promoting best practices in CSO capacity-building, and facilitating connections with experts and leaders in the field.
Tadamon is also resourceful in bringing partners together to shape a brighter future and take stock of emerging trends, such as:
- At the United Nations General Assembly 78, the IsDB, ISFD, and UNDP held a side event, Empowering Civil Society, through which Tadamon showcased its approaches, emphasizing the critical role of communities in crafting solutions that work. This event brought together over 200 participants, including CSOs and partners, to explore innovative solutions to pressing development challenges.
- In July 2024, Tadamon hosted the workshop Emerging Futures: Digital Partnerships for Sustainable Finance, where leaders from technology companies, development agencies, and CSOs convened to discuss how digital partnerships can drive the future of sustainable finance for CSOs. Participants explored the role of digital finance platforms, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology in building sustainable funding channels for CSOs operating in fragile and underserved communities.
A Collective Movement Forward
Tadamon, meaning "solidarity," embodies the spirit of togetherness that drives progress. Over the past five years, it's been a journey of learning, sharing, and growing together. The successes are shared triumphs, and challenges have been met with collective strength. Join us on our journey to discover what Tadamon will bring to civil society in the future.
Tadamon/NGO Empowerment Program is a program for poverty reduction, sponsored by the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), managed by The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other strategic partners.
Main photo source: Rumah Asuh
