Jordan, 31  May, 2021 - The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE) 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 program, “Heart of Amman II”, aims at advancing the development of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem and the promotion of policy dialogue to implement solutions to commonly faced challenges amongst social enterprises. Through a series of policy dialogue workshops, led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE), 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 1-2 June 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 & management and international impact certification practices. The workshop insights will be embedded and concluded with a report summarizing draft policy recommendations to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE), its Advisory Committee, related Sub-Committees and involved stakeholders. Following this, co-created policy initiatives, as well as a road map for policy development, will be proposed and presented.

His Excellency Ahmad Hanandeh opened the workshops on 1 June by stating that, “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 maximize their contributions to solving pressing social issues, enhancing livelihoods and reaching out to the marginalized and vulnerable.

UNDP Resident Representative Sara Ferrer Olivella stated, “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”.