Amman, Sept. 3 (Petra) -- Leaders International Organization concluded a series of pitch days under its SEED I project, part of the EU-funded Employment and Livelihood Improvement Program implemented through the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation, Enabel, which supports economic opportunities for youth, women and Syrian refugees in Jordan.
The project supports 493 young men and women in Amman, Mafraq, Irbid and Karak through integrated entrepreneurship tracks that include training, mentorship, business development services and financial support, according to a Leaders statement issued Thursday.
The project is implemented in cooperation with eight local community organizations, helping reach beneficiaries in their communities and align entrepreneurial support with local market needs and economic opportunities.
The pitch days marked a key milestone in the project, with 152 participants presenting their projects and growth plans to specialized evaluation committees after completing training, mentorship, and business development stages.
Participating projects spanned sectors including food, crafts, services, technology, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, reflecting the range of economic opportunities the project supports, particularly for women-, youth- and Syrian refugee-led ventures.
Evaluation committees included representatives from Leaders International Organization, Microfund for Women and partner community organizations. Projects were assessed based on market potential, feasibility, financial sustainability, innovation, growth potential, and capacity to generate income and jobs.
Investors and private sector representatives also attended the pitch days, gaining the chance to learn about the participating projects and explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities. A total of 100 participants were selected to advance to the next project phase.
Selected participants will receive individual specialized sessions to support the development of their projects and growth plans in the coming phase.
Following this stage, 50 projects, 35 registered and operating and 15 unregistered, will be chosen for a comprehensive support package covering capacity-building, skills development, business development services, marketing, market access, and in-kind support to boost their growth, income generation, and job creation potential.
//Petra// NQ
