The Middle East is characterized by almost impenetrable borders. The Gaza Strip is completely isolated from the outside world and heavy restrictions are imposed on the West Bank. This hampers networking and exchange between citizens and civil society representatives in the region despite common language and cultural ties. From its office in Ramallah the hbs is encouraging and promoting regional projects and initiatives in each program area:

• The regional Salma network to combat violence against women (link)
• The Arab network of monitoring gender images in the media
• Regional conference on climate change in 2008
• Meetings of bloggers from various Arab countries.
• Arab Alliance against Climate Change