Youth & Women empowerment in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt & Morocco

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Alwaleed Philanthropies “Global” and Ashoka Arab World have joined forces to support social innovators and change makers in the Arab region, with a particular focus on empowering youth and women. Through their partnership, they aim to create a conducive environment for social entrepreneurship and amplify the impact of local solutions to local challenges.

The primary objectives of this initiative are threefold. Firstly, to raise awareness about the concept of social entrepreneurship and its potential for driving positive change. Secondly, to increase the visibility and influence of social entrepreneurs who are providing innovative solutions to pressing issues in the Arab world. And thirdly, to foster and enhance women's leadership and representation in the realm of social entrepreneurship.

The project aims to empower women and youth in Saudi Arabia by providing them with the skills and networks needed to establish their own social enterprises, whether as companies or institutions. It endeavors to showcase women and youth as successful models of social entrepreneurs who can bring about meaningful change and positively influence the lives of thousands. Moreover, the project aims to cultivate role models within Arab communities to inspire other women and girls to pursue similar paths.

The project spans across three countries: Egypt, Morocco, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These countries were selected based on their vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems and the potential for impactful social innovation.

The project is planned to run from 2022 to 2025, allowing for sustained support and growth of social entrepreneurs in the region.

The project aims to directly benefit 400 individuals through its flagship program, the Innovation Factory. This program provides training, mentorship, and resources to social entrepreneurs, equipping them with the necessary tools to turn their ideas into reality. Additionally, young social entrepreneurs have been selected to participate in the "Transformative Journey" accelerator program, which offers intensive support and guidance to scale their ventures.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In 2023, several successful initiatives were launched as part of a program aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs. A campaign was launched to raise awareness about the training program. After reviewing the submitted applications, 54 young men and women were chosen to attend the first phase of training, a five-day virtual boot camp that ran from October 29 to November 2. Upon completion of the boot camp, 26 trainees presented their projects to a judging panel comprising members from Ashoka’s team, Mashatel’s team, and representatives from the local initiatives sector at Alwaleed Philanthropies.

Egypt:

A comprehensive 6-month capacity building training program was offered to 17 social entrepreneurs, aiming to equip them with essential skills and knowledge to thrive in their ventures. Following the training, the initiative continued its support by providing the 9 most promising entrepreneurs with additional incubation services for an extended period of 6 months, enabling them to further develop their projects and initiatives. Additionally, 4 outstanding candidates were identified and selected to become Ashoka Fellows, recognizing their significant contributions and potential to drive positive change within their communities.

Morocco:

A comprehensive six-month capacity-building training program was offered to 17 social entrepreneurs, aimed at equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to enhance their ventures. The culmination of this initiative will see the announcement of the winners by the jury during the Award Ceremony Event scheduled for March 8th, 2024. Additionally, three women entrepreneurs have been selected to partake in the "Lead Young Storytelling Program," underscoring the commitment to fostering gender-inclusive entrepreneurship and empowering women in the business landscape.

Following the presentations, 18 social entrepreneurs were selected to advance to the next phase of the training program, known as "The Journey," which consisted of 32 days of in-person training spread over four months. The training sessions achieved an attendance rate of 87.5%, reflecting the trainees' commitment and the program's success in engaging and developing their skills.

As we gaze into the future, envision empowered innovators leading transformative change throughout their communities. The progress observed in 2023, with advancements in capacity-building programs and the selection of entrepreneurs for additional training, underscores their dedication to fostering innovation and catalyzing positive change.