The Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship (QRCE) and Adam Smith International (ASI) are inviting entrepreneurs and mentors to join the Forsa mentoring programme, which has recently been launched in Jordan.
Forsa is a flagship programme of the UK Presidency of the G8 -Deauville Partnership, which aims to support the historic political and economic transitions of the people in Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Yemen.
The concept of “Forsa” is based on mentorship, whereby experienced businesspeople provide guidance to fresh entrepreneurs, who are selected from a diverse range of applicants across Jordan.
The QRCE and ASI will manage and support the new relationships between mentors and entrepreneurs, employing their long and deep expertise in the field of entrepreneurship.
“We welcome applications from entrepreneurs with businesses in any sector that are seeking mentoring opportunities,” said QRCE’s Executive Director Farhan Al-Kalaldeh, adding: “We also welcome applications from experienced business owners and experts who are willing and able to help young and female entrepreneurs succeed”.
“We have the experience and a track record that enables us at the Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship to render this project a success,” Kalaldeh said.
He stressed that “we are talking here about entrenching a positive entrepreneurship culture and enhancing a sound ecosystem through the embodiment of true partnership and cooperation among states and also between institutions concerned with supporting entrepreneurship like the QRCE, ASI and the Mowgli Foundation. These institutions support the vital cooperation between mentors and entrepreneurs, which is the essence of the project”.
Forsa will be delivered using the expertise of the award-winning Mowgli Foundation, which signed a strategic partnership with the QRCE in April. The UK-headquartered foundation has already benefited hundreds of entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa. Through the Forsa project, it will establish mentoring relationships between at least 250 entrepreneurs and business people in the six countries, with a particular focus on helping women and entrepreneurs under 35 to nurture their businesses.
Forsa will support the Deauville Partnership objectives of triggering sustainable inclusive growth, creating jobs, enhancing competitiveness and reducing regional inequalities within the Arab region.
The Forsa initiative was launched in Tunisia by Alistair Burt, UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa in June. The Minister highlighted how Forsa will help “dynamic and determined entrepreneurs unlock their own potential” and give entrepreneurs “the confidence and support to grow their businesses and create jobs”.
Successful applicants will be invited to participate in mentoring workshops in Jordan during October 2013. Space is limited and applicants are requested to apply as early as possible.
