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

In a partnership between Alwaleed Philanthropies “Global” and Ashoka Arab World, social innovators and changemakers across the Arab region are being supported through an initiative that empowers youth and women, fosters local solutions to local challenges, and strengthens inclusive social entrepreneurship ecosystems.

• Raise awareness about social entrepreneurship as a vehicle for positive change.
• Increase visibility and influence of social entrepreneurs addressing pressing regional challenges.
• Promote women’s leadership and enhance their representation in the social innovation sector.

The project spans Egypt, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, countries chosen for their dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems and potential for impactful innovation.

• Equip women and girls with the tools, skills, and networks to launch social enterprises.
• Showcase successful female entrepreneurs as role models and catalysts for change.
• Align with the global Women Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship.

Innovation Factory

• A flagship program offering training, mentorship, and resources to empower social entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life.

Transformative Journey Accelerator

• A selective program providing intensive support to help young entrepreneurs scale their ventures.

Innovation Factory Program

Egypt

• Cycle 1: Successfully completed; 9 winners selected.
• Cycle 2: Launched with 24 changemakers from 14 governorates participating in 6-month in-person training.

Morocco

• Cycle 1: Completed with 9 winners; results announced during March 8, 2024 ceremony in Rabat.
• Cycle 2: Launched in Casablanca; attracted 459 applicants.

Ashoka Fellowship

• Supported 14 new Ashoka Fellows in Egypt and Morocco.

ChangeMAKHERS Community

• Grew to 125 active members.

Change Makers Program

• Expanded to include 72 members.

Youth Entrepreneurs Program

• 12 women entrepreneurs participated in a storytelling program to inspire community-driven innovation.

Saudi Arabia

• Innovation Factory Launched A six-month training program titled “Innovation Factory” was implemented in collaboration with Al-Mashtal Creative Incubator in Riyadh. The program targeted 18 emerging young leaders, offering 32 training sessions that focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
• High Engagement & Attendance The program achieved a strong average attendance rate of 78%, with 14 participants attending more than 80% of the sessions—reflecting deep engagement and commitment.
• Final Project Evaluation In May 2024, the final evaluations of the participants’ projects were conducted. Three expert judging panels were formed, comprising specialists with extensive local knowledge and diverse experience. These panels assessed the innovation, impact, and feasibility of the participants’ initiatives.
• Award-Winning Projects & Incubation Several standout projects were selected to receive awards totaling USD 80,000, qualifying them for the next phase of incubation and development.
• Connection to a Global Network All participants were introduced to the Ashoka Global Platform, gaining access to a powerful network of over 4,000 social entrepreneurs and change-makers across 95 countries, opening doors for collaboration and global exposure.
• Tailored Business Consultations More than 15 personalized consulting sessions were provided to the award winners, guiding them in refining their business models and preparing them for sustainable project implementation.

This regional initiative is catalyzing inclusive social innovation by:

• Building entrepreneurial capacity among youth and women.
• Scaling locally-driven solutions.
• Fostering community resilience and leadership.
• Inspiring the next generation of changemakers across the Arab world.