The Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including ones led by youth, in accelerating green growth and creating green jobs for youth in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. Through this, the project supports local transitions toward more green and sustainable economies. 

The project runs from 2023 to 2027, with the support of Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP), as a collaboration between the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States and the UNDP Nordic Representation Office and is implemented by the UNDP Country Offices in the four mentioned countries. It is also part of a broader framework of UNDP SHABABEEK – Youth Empowerment, Engagement and Knowledge Project. 

The project consists of two five-month Accelerators, every year, in each of the four countries for selected SMEs. Each company develops green growth business plans integrating relevant ways to create more jobs for youth. By doing so, the project aims to build a community of green growth-oriented SMEs, established enterprises, and youth across the region. 

Accelerator programme 

The Accelerator approach invites established entrepreneurs and SMEs, of which at least 10 percent are youth-led, on a green growth and innovation journey, which is a structured and facilitated journey where participating companies use the Sustainable Development Goals as strategic goals to grow their business. A vital part of the SMEs’ green growth journey is developing business plans for new, sustainable products and services, implementing greener production or operational processes, or integrating selected standards that can enable some companies to get access to new markets.  The green growth journey will also integrate relevant ways for the company to create jobs for youth, either as a result of the implementation of a business plan, as means to realize the business plan, or preferably both. 

Youth4Sustainability 

As part of the Accelerators, young people are engaged in Youth4Sustainability groups, which co-create solutions for companies participating in the Accelerators. This initiative provides young people with a chance to use their knowledge, skills, and innovative ideas while gaining first-hand work experience, in addition to potential employment opportunities in the companies. Meanwhile, the companies get support on their specific needs and access the knowledge needed to solve specific challenges, e.g. related to building a new sustainable business solution. 

Access to finance 

Since many SMEs require capital to realize their green growth business plans, UNDP brings together the companies and relevant financial institutions in and outside of the Arab region. SMEs participating in the Accelerator also receive some coaching in pitching their plans to potential investors. 

Digital learning 

The Accelerator strengthens the capacity of entrepreneurs and SMEs to take advantage of new digital opportunities. It utilizes digital learning as the modality for training for the participants, who also benefit from the NextGen Youth Platform in accessing opportunities, networking, and mentorship. The NextGen Youth Platform is