Case Studies
Concrete examples of how Aligning Cultures has worked with local partners, international implementors, and donors to create lasting change in conflict-affected communities across Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Mauritania, and the MENA region.
Perceptions of Media and Misinformation in Post-Conflict Iraq
Aligning Cultures conducted field research across three Iraqi provinces — Anbar, Ninewa, and Diyala — to understand public perceptions of media and assess the trustworthiness of media sources. Key findings revealed widespread distrust in social media, heavy reliance on friends and family as the most trusted news sources, and strong community concern about the real-world harms caused by misinformation, particularly around security incidents, regional powers, and humanitarian aid distribution. The research provides an evidence base for targeted media literacy, counter-disinformation, and community trust-building interventions across post-conflict Iraq.
Key Findings
- Widespread distrust in social media as a primary news source across all three provinces
- Friends and family identified as the most reliable sources of local information
- Majority of respondents identified misinformation as a serious or somewhat serious problem
- Misinformation about security incidents, regional powers, and humanitarian aid most prevalent
- Real-world harms documented: fear, community division, and poor decision-making based on false information
Diaspora Digital Bridges Program
Aligning Cultures is partnering with the Iraqi Home Foundation for Creativity, founded by Hisham al-Dhahabi, to introduce the Diaspora Digital Bridges initiative. The program creates a direct bond between the Iraqi diaspora and on-the-ground support for orphans in Iraq, with a focus on digital skills, self-reliance, and long-term connections with the Iraqi diaspora community in the United States.
The objective is to empower orphans with practical digital economy skills, connect them with diaspora expertise and resources, and create a transparent model for sustainable development that supports Iraq's most vulnerable communities.
Program Focus
- Build job-ready digital skills for orphans in Iraq
- Connect Iraqi diaspora expertise with local youth development needs
- Strengthen self-reliance through practical digital market training
- Create transparent pathways for diaspora support to reach vulnerable communities
Our Services
Aligning Cultures delivers nine specialized services across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa — from conflict prevention and CVE rehabilitation to fiscal sponsorship for local organizations.
Conflict Prevention & Stabilization
Locally led crisis committees, IDP reintegration, and social cohesion programming that interrupt cycles of violence in Iraq, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
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Strategic Communications & Narrative Change
Counter-narrative content, counter-disinformation programs, and community messaging champion training that interrupt extremist narratives and build resilience to false information across Iraq, Yemen, and MENA.
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Gender Equality & Women's Empowerment
Gender-transformative programs advancing women's political participation, economic independence, and GBV prevention — engaging men as accountable partners for change across Iraq, Yemen, and the MENA region.
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Youth Employment & Livelihoods
Market-driven youth livelihoods programs combining labor market research, digital skills training, employer engagement, and MSME support — reaching 8,000+ youth across Iraq with explicit inclusion targets.
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Local Partner Capacity Building
Tailored organizational development for civil society organizations — proposal writing, MEL frameworks, fundraising strategy, and donor compliance — supporting 25 local organizations across Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia.
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Fiscal Sponsorship for MENA Organizations
A US 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship umbrella enabling civil society organizations in Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, and Syria to access international donor funding, manage grants compliantly, and build donor credibility.
Learn MoreAlso offering: CVE & Rehabilitation, MEL, and Technology & GenAI for Development
See All 9 ServicesWant to Partner With Us?
We are always looking for new opportunities to collaborate with donors, implementors, and local organizations across Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and the broader MENA region.
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