Trust, Growth and Belonging: How Mentoring Empowered Syrian Refugee Entrepreneurs in Jordan

See how mentoring transformed the confidence and income of Syrian refugee entrepreneurs in Jordan -while training local mentors and building social inclusion.
  • Micro Entrepreneurs and Refugees, Social Entrepreneurs, Strengthening ecosystems and sectors, Women Empowerment
SANAD

Project: SANAD TAF Micro-Entrepreneur Mentoring Programme (Jordan)

Location: Jordan

Client: SANAD Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), funded by the Austrian Ministry of Finance via OeEB

Years: 2018

Country: Jordan

Description

The SANAD TAF Micro-Entrepreneur Mentoring Programme supported Syrian refugee entrepreneurs in Jordan through a high-touch, human-centred mentoring model. Delivered in partnership with The Human Edge, the programme paired experienced Jordanian professionals with refugee mentees to build confidence, reduce social isolation and help grow viable micro-businesses. This 6-month pilot served both as a support mechanism and a step toward local mentoring capacity.

Objectives

  • Enable Syrian refugee micro-entrepreneurs to grow or launch sustainable businesses
  • Foster social inclusion and personal resilience through trust-based relationships
  • Equip a local cohort of trained mentors to support underserved entrepreneurs
  • Build confidence, leadership and business clarity in fragile, uncertain contexts

Approach

The programme was built on strong relationship design and local relevance. Key components included:

  • A structured recruitment and pairing process based on mentor and mentee interviews
  • A 3-day kickstart workshop to train and match 13 mentors and 13 refugee entrepreneurs
  • Ongoing monthly check-ins, peer mentor calls and continuous support
  • A closing reflection and graduation event to celebrate progress and explore next steps
  • 676 volunteer mentoring hours, averaging 52 hours per mentor over the programme

Impact

Entrepreneur Outcomes

  • 100% reported increased confidence, stronger decision-making and better relationships
  • 72% said mentoring significantly impacted their business activity
  • 92% saw growth in customer base or potential clients
  • 100% of entrepreneurs running businesses reported increased revenue
  • By programme end, 10 of 13 participants were running micro-businesses
  • The Matbakh Al Cham catering kitchen was launched by two mentees with external support

Mentor Outcomes

  • 100% found the programme beneficial
  • 69% went on to mentor others after the programme
  • Reported growth in empathy, leadership and human connection
  • The experience created a ripple effect of mentorship in the local ecosystem

Community & Ecosystem Impact

  • 100% of mentees reported expanded networks in Jordan
  • The programme fostered friendships, peer support and local connection through WhatsApp groups and informal collaborations
  • While job creation wasn’t a focus, outcomes showed strong indicators for future economic contribution

Key Takeaways

  • Mentoring builds inclusion: In fragile settings, relational mentoring creates dignity, trust and hope, not just business progress.
  • Small-scale, high-impact: A cohort of just 13 pairs created powerful outcomes and seeded community resilience.
  • Refugees need more than advice: A human-centred approach—focused on emotional safety, confidence and practical guidance—is critical for meaningful inclusion.

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