Lamea Association

What Lamea Association does

Lamea Association is a Bahrain-registered nonprofit organization that operates the National Project Lamea, a government-sponsored youth leadership development program launched in 2021 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The Association was established in 2022 as a dedicated alumni body and in 2024 assumed full operational responsibility for the National Project under the umbrella of Bahrain's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports. Its purpose is to discover, train, and connect elite Bahraini professionals aged 35 or under who hold a Bachelor's degree and at least three years of work experience, through a multi-stage selection process (application, interviews, IQ and skills testing, and a team challenge) and a structured cohort program.

The program runs as a series of cohorts (Lamea 1 through the planned Lamea 6, with Lamea 6 scheduled to begin in September 2026) comprising approximately 12–15 participants each, producing 70+ alumni to date across Bahrain's banking, energy, telecom, government, and education sectors. The Association runs the alumni community exclusively for program graduates and supplements cohort training with signature events such as the "Coffee with a Leader" (قهوة مع قائد) dialogue series. Lamea 6 introduces expanded thematic content covering institutional governance and AI applications. The organization has secured strategic partnerships with Bapco Energies (August 2025), Kuwait Finance House–Bahrain (November 2025), and Investcorp (February 2026), and was awarded the 2024 "Best Arab Government Project to Empower Young People" at the Arab Government Excellence Awards.

Lamea has no commercial technology product and operates on a non-fee basis. Revenue is sourced from Bahraini government backing and corporate sponsorship rather than participant fees, with no disclosed financial figures. Distribution is single-country and self-serve via lamea.net, supported by organic social channels (Instagram, LinkedIn), alumni referral, and earned media through partner institutions. The organization is led by Chairwoman Shaikha Dwa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, Vice Chairman Mohammed Kamal, Treasurer Fatema Al-Bastaki, and General Manager Dabya Al-Rafaei, supported by a board and functional committee chairs overseeing Memberships, L&D, Media, Partnerships, and Community.

Name

Lamea Association

Legal name

Lamea Association

Website

https://lamea.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Lamea Association is a Bahrain-registered nonprofit operating the National Project Lamea, a government-sponsored youth leadership development program that selects and trains elite Bahraini professionals and sustains them through an alumni community under the Ministry of Youth Affairs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Leadership Development

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK)

Keywords

• Youth leadership development
• Professional training programs
• Youth empowerment programs
• Executive development
• Community building events

Headquarters

HQ city

Seef District

HQ country

Bahrain

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Funding and Sponsorship: Lamea Association operates as a publicly supported initiative under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and under the umbrella of Bahrain's Ministry of Youth Affairs. Revenue is generated through government backing, strategic corporate sponsorships, and partnerships with private-sector organizations. No direct participant fees are disclosed; the program is positioned as a national initiative to develop Bahraini youth leadership.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lamea Association operates the National Project Lamea, a Bahraini youth leadership development program launched in 2021 that selects elite young Bahraini professionals (nationals under 35 with a Bachelor's degree and at least three years of experience) through a multi-stage process including application, interviews, IQ and skill-based testing, and team challenges. Participants complete a structured cohort-based curriculum (currently in its sixth iteration, Lamea 6, starting September 2026) covering institutional governance, AI applications, and practical leadership training, after which they join the Lamea Association alumni community for ongoing networking, mentorship, and signature events such as Coffee with a Leader (قهوة مع قائد).

Product overview

Lamea Association operates the National Project Lamea as its core flagship offering—a Bahraini youth leadership development platform launched in 2021. The program functions as a multi-cohort initiative (currently in its sixth iteration, Lamea 6) that discovers, trains, and develops elite young Bahraini talent through a rigorous selection process and structured curriculum. The Lamea Association serves as the alumni body, providing ongoing community engagement for graduates. The ecosystem includes the core program, alumni network (Lamea Community), and specialized program content modules focused on governance, AI applications, and practical leadership training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Project Lamea Bahrain's flagship national platform to discover, upskill, and spotlight elite youth talent. A cohort-based youth leadership development program for Bahraini nationals aged 35 or under holding a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of three years of professional experience. Delivered as structured training, real-world challenges, and cross-sector networking over multiple cohorts (currently Lamea 6, starting September 2026).
• Lamea Association (Alumni Association) Exclusive alumni body for graduates of the National Project Lamea, operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Provides ongoing community, networking, mentorship, and continued leadership development opportunities exclusively for program alumni.
• Lamea Community The network of Lamea alumni spanning multiple cohorts (Lamea 1 through Lamea 5+), comprising young Bahraini professionals from various sectors including banking, government, energy, telecommunications, and education. Provides a sustained peer community for cross-sector collaboration and professional networking.
• Coffee with a Leader (قهوة مع قائد) Dialogue Series A signature dialogue event series where Lamea members engage with senior Bahraini executives (e.g., Investcorp's Executive Chairman) on leadership concepts, institutional culture, and practical leadership requirements in large international institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 2,260 total applicants from 2021 through Cohort 5, with over 1,000 applicants for Cohort 5 alone — demonstrating growing demand and national recognition.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• InvestcorpsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 February 2026Lamea Association organized a dialogue session in collaboration with Investcorp under the 'Coffee with a Leader' (قهوة مع قائد) series. The session featured Investcorp's Executive Chairman, Mr. Mohammed Al-Aradi, at Investcorp's Bahrain headquarters, with attendance from Lamea's Chairwoman, board members, and Lamea Association members. The event provided an interactive platform for discussing leadership concepts, building institutional cultures, and the practical requirements of leadership in large international institutions. Investcorp's Project and Business Manager, Mr. Yasser Al-Khaja, delivered opening remarks.
• Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain (KFH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2025Lamea Association and Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain signed a strategic partnership agreement in November 2025. The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Shaikha Dwa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, Chairwoman of Lamea Association, and Dr. Shadi Zahran, Group CEO of KFH. The partnership embodies cooperation between public and private sectors, with both sides committed to investing in Bahraini youth potential. KFH CEO Dr. Shadi Zahran stated that the partnership reflects KFH's commitment to supporting national initiatives that empower Bahraini youth.
• Bapco EnergiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 August 2025Lamea Association and Bapco Energies (Bahrain's integrated energy group leading the Kingdom's energy transition) signed a strategic partnership agreement in August 2025. The agreement was signed on behalf of Lamea by Her Excellency Shaikha Dhuwa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, Chairwoman of the Lamea Association, and on behalf of Bapco Energies by Mr. Mark Thomas, Group Chief Executive. The partnership aims to support the goals of the National Project Lamea and enhance youth outcomes by creating opportunities for Lamea participants. Bapco Energies CEO Mark Thomas stated that investing in youth is 'the greatest investment' and that the partnership aligns with Bapco Energies' corporate strategy.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• One Young World: Global forum and leadership development program identifying and connecting the world's most impactful young leaders across cohorts and an ambassador network. Closely parallels Lamea's cohort-based elite youth leadership model with alumni community and corporate partner ecosystem.
• AIESEC: Global youth-led organization developing leadership through cross-cultural exchanges, internships, and global volunteer programs. Comparable to Lamea as a nonprofit developing young people's leadership capabilities and building cross-sector professional networks through structured program cohorts.
• Common Purpose: Independent leadership development organization running cohort-based programs that bring leaders from different sectors together to solve real-world challenges. Directly parallel to Lamea's emphasis on cross-sector exposure, leadership training, and senior-executive dialogue sessions ('Coffee with a Leader').
• Misk Foundation: Saudi Arabia's national nonprofit foundation for youth development and leadership, established under royal patronage to empower young Saudis through training, scholarships, and community programs. Mirrors Lamea's structure as a royally-backed, national-mandate youth leadership organization operating across cohorts with corporate sponsorship.
• Crown Prince's International Scholarship Program (CPISP): Bahrain's flagship national scholarship and leadership development program that identifies top Bahraini students for world-class universities. Directly comparable to Lamea as another Bahraini, royally-sanctioned program targeting elite young Bahraini nationals for leadership development.
• INJAZ Bahrain: Bahrain-based nonprofit delivering work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and leadership programs to young Bahrainis through school and university interventions. Operates in the same Bahraini youth development space as Lamea with public-private partnership funding, targeting professional skills development for young nationals.

Broad incumbents

• Fulbright Program (U.S. Department of State): U.S. government-sponsored international exchange and leadership program with extensive global alumni network spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Parallels Lamea's emphasis on building cross-sector alumni leadership networks through competitive selection and structured programming.
• International Youth Foundation: Global nonprofit working to prepare young people for the global economy through leadership, employability, and entrepreneurship programs across 100+ countries. Broader international-scale peer to Lamea's national youth leadership development mandate.
• Chevening (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office): The UK government's flagship international scholarship and leadership program for emerging leaders. Comparable to Lamea as a government-sponsored elite leadership development pathway, though broader in geographic scope and academic-anchored rather than community-anchored.

Regional players

• Injaz Al-Arab: Pan-Arab federation of INJAZ country affiliates operating youth work-readiness and entrepreneurship programs across MENA. Operates the same youth development model regionally as INJAZ Bahrain does domestically, paralleling Lamea's Bahraini national approach with broader geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lamea-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/lamea_association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lamea Association