Jordan, 29 November 2021 – The first annual Social Entrepreneurship Summit in Jordan has been launched today, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE), supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and NAUA (an initiative from the Crown Prince Foundation).

The summit aims are to advance the development of the social entrepreneurship sector in Jordan; to build a thriving social economy; to promote policy dialogue to address challenges; and build on opportunities amongst youth innovators, social enterprises and startups in Jordan and the region.

The event brings together Jordanian social enterprises, NGOs and civil society, with Government representatives, global leaders in social impact business development, established networks from across the Middle East and Europe, along with experts from the UN, donors and research intuitions.

Participants will conduct an in-depth review of the Jordan social enterprise ecosystem during the two-day Summit, with the aim of concluding policy recommendations for the Government to consider on topics such as: attracting impact investment, institutional frameworks, inclusiveness, enabling access to finance and markets, impact measurement and management, research, and international impact certification practices.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) took the opportunity of the summit to launch its regional project ‘Strengthening Social Entrepreneurship for Migration Development (SEMD)’. The SEMD project will be active in Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon, with the aim of strengthening social entrepreneurship ecosystems to enable innovative entrepreneurial solutions to migration and development challenges in the region.

Whilst opening the summit, His Excellency Ahmad Hanandeh stated that “Today we are working ensure our Social Entrepreneurship policies, national strategy and road map will enable a thriving digital economy, attract impact investment, and contribute to economic recovery, digital transformation and job creation for our women and youth”.

UNDP Resident Representative Randa Aboul-Hosn stated, “Strengthening the foundations of social entrepreneurship in Jordan will attract impact investors and enable a fair economy in Jordan. A vibrant and collaborative ecosystem can position Jordan as a key destination for SDG impact investment, including in ways that supports ‘building back better’ from the pandemic”.

Mr. Andreas Huber the Regional Head for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) added “we are pleased to support the launch of the first Social Entrepreneurship Summit”.