Workshop reviews Jordan’s social enterprise ecosystem

AMMAN — The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and its mandated advisory committee and sub-committees, supported by the United Nations Development Programme Jordan (UNDP Jordan) and Impact Hub gathered to advance policy development work in support of social entrepreneurs in Jordan.

The UNDP programme, “Heart of Amman II”, aims to advance the development of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem and the promotion of policy dialogue to implement solutions to commonly faced challenges amongst social enterprises, according to a UNDP statement.

Through a series of policy dialogue workshops, led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with UNDP and Impact Hub, key policy makers, funders, academia, business development experts, impact measurement-related stakeholders, social enterprises and civil society collaborate to develop social entrepreneurship policy and enable a social economy environment in Jordan.

During the June 1-2 workshop, an in-depth review of the Jordan social enterprise ecosystem was conducted: Opportunities and gaps were discussed alongside topics such as return on investment, institutional frameworks, access to finance, impact measurement and management and international impact certification practices. 

The workshop insights will be embedded and concluded with a report summarisng draft policy recommendations to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, its advisory committee, related sub-committees and involved stakeholders. Following this, co-created policy initiatives, as well as a roadmap for policy development, will be proposed and presented.

Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Ahmad Hanandeh opened the workshops Tuesday.

“There is a need, and a national gain, to enhance social entrepreneurship support structures — to allow social enterprises to start up, but also to scale up and grow in order to maximise their contributions to solving pressing social issues, enhancing livelihoods and reaching out to the marginalised and vulnerable,” he said.

UNDP Resident Representative Sara Ferrer Olivella said: “We are pleased to support national efforts and aspirations to develop a policy and regulatory framework in which social entrepreneurs can thrive, boost the economy and positively impact society and nature.”