Leader Mentor Training Program, Jordan

The youth population in Middle East countries is predicted to increase by 40 percent by the year 2020 which means that the region will need to create 80 million new jobs to accommodate the working age population. Not an easy task considering the region is already dealing with an unemployment rate of 27 percent. SMEs in the region represent 80 to 90 percent of all formal sector businesses, there is therefore great need to empower entrepreneurs who are the future of job creation globally.

To be a part of the movement driving change, we joined THE NEXT SOCIETY (TNS), a 4-year movement launched last year with the support of the European Union to mobilise entrepreneurs, innovators and corporate ecosystems to tackle the innovation and sustainable development challenges faced in the Mediterranean. As part of the movement, we’re working with the ANIMA Investment Network and over 30 TNS implementing partners to empower entrepreneurs throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

As a key pillar in the project, Mowgli Mentoring will train and capacity-build 120 incubator, accelerator and entrepreneurship support organisation leaders as mentors who will support the wider ecosystem by providing 360-degree mentoring support (professional and personal) to innovators and entrepreneurs across the 7 target countries in the MENA region. In addition, 36 high-growth potential, innovative start-ups and SMEs will be matched with a trained mentor for one-on-one mentoring over a period of 12 months.

To date, 36 mentors have been trained and 9 have been selected and matched with 9 high-growth innovators and entrepreneurs from Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine as part of the wider program. Enjoy these snippets from our Kickstart event held in Jordan featuring entrepreneurs from Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine.

“Investing in the development of future entrepreneurial leaders is the key to supporting sustainable economic growth in MENA.” Tony Bury, Founder Mowgli Mentoring

Later this year, we’ll be moving further into the region with programs expected to kick off in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Watch out for these program launches if you wish to be a part of the THE NEXT SOCIETY of innovators in these countries!