The MDLBEAST Foundation has opened applications for the 2026 edition of HUNNA mentorship programme, marking a new phase for the initiative as it expands its role in supporting women in music across the MENA region. This builds on growth in participation and community engagement across recent cycles.
Applications for the 2026 edition are now open, with opportunities available for both mentees and mentors.
Since its launch, HUNNA has supported more than 100 women across the region through mentorship, leadership courses and industry programming, with a competitive selection process resulting in a carefully selected group of participants each year.
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Building on this momentum, the initiative is developing an educational hub to expand access to learning, mentorship and professional opportunities, while strengthening its long-term sustainability as a community-driven platform.
Designed as both a resource and a network, the hub supports participants at different stages of their careers, creating a cycle where members go on to become mentors, advocates and active contributors to the wider industry.
As part of this evolution, HUNNA is also being repositioned as a platform for advocacy, working with organisations and industry stakeholders to improve gender balance across events, teams, and the broader music ecosystem.
By increasing access to education and opportunities while encouraging structural change, the initiative aims to contribute to a more inclusive and professional landscape for women in music across the region.
HUNNA’s core offering includes a mentorship programme, masterclasses and workshops, exchange programmes and residencies, alongside access to a growing regional network of artists and professionals, as well as a broader community open to anyone looking to engage with and contribute to the initiative.
The programme is supported by a network of industry experts, with past mentors including,
- Sarah El Miniawy, cultural strategist and founder of Simsara Music;
- Christina Lazic, DJ and producer; Salam Kmeid, senior executive at Anghami; and
- Celine Hitti, Head of Artist Services MENA at Believe.
Alumni include Haya AlHejailan, artist and live booking manager; Nazli Reda, live sound engineer; and Soumaya Laghiti, artist and songwriter, all of whom continue to contribute to the region’s evolving music ecosystem.
As HUNNA continues to grow, it intends to play an increasingly important role within the MDLBEAST Foundation’s broader ecosystem, supporting the next generation of women in music while contributing to long-term, structural change across the industry.
