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Kick-off meetings of the National Partnerships to support Jordanian, Palestinian and Tunisian Switchers

Within the framework of the SwitchMed Green Entrepreneurship Programme, three virtual kick-off meetings were organised by the Jordanian, Palestinian and Tunisian implementing partners in view of launching the Switchers Support National Partnerships. In the three countries, these partnerships will support the national ecosystem for the development of green and circular business models and companies.

Published on Tuesday 06 October 2020· START-UPS AND ENTREPRENEURS

A new milestone was reached within the framework of the SwitchMed Green Entrepreneurship Programme through the organisation of three virtual kick-off meetings to launch the Switchers Support National Partnerships in Palestine and Jordan, on the 22nd of September 2020, and in Tunisia on the 1st of October 2020. Each of the three meetings was held by the national implementing partner of the second phase of the programme, namely the Birzeit University’s Center for Continuing Education for Palestine, the Business Development Centre for Jordan and the Centre International des Technologies de l’Environnement de Tunis (CITET) for Tunisia, bringing together different organisations supporting the development of sustainable enterprises.

Concerning Palestine, representatives of 9 organisations participated and expressed their interest in sharing this initiative. Mr Zaghloul Samhan, SwitchMed focal point in Palestine and Director General of Policies and Planning at the Environment Quality Authority welcomed the participants and the initiative. A memorandum of understanding will be signed between the member structures and will define the terms of cooperation.

As for Jordan, 24 representatives of 20 organisations participated in the meeting. A memorandum of understanding will be signed for Jordan as well. In underlining the efforts Jordan was carrying out towards green economy and the recently launched Green Growth National Action Plan, Mr. Jihad Swa’er, representing the Ministry of Environment, mentioned the need for projects and programmes such as SwitchMed Green Entrepreneurship Programme and stated it would have a positive effect on the community.

Finally, in regard to Tunisia, 17 representatives of 10 organisations participated in the meeting. Mr Nabil Hamdi, from the Ministry of Local Affairs and the Environment and SwitchMed focal point in Tunisia, stressed the need for an online platform aimed at bringing green start-ups in contact with investors.

These national partnerships will support the national ecosystem for the development of green and circular business models and companies. They will bring together public, private and non-profit organisations which target sustainable businesses, and will offer complementary services to green entrepreneurs at different stages of their business development (i.e. ideation, creation, growth and scaling-up).

On the operational side, this national partnership will ensure the transfer of methodologies and capacities to its member organisations, through the tools available on the web platform under development by the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC). These partner structures will provide support to green entrepreneurs according to the methodology developed by SwitchMed, while channelling additional funds and promoting joint strategies and actions for the development of sustainable businesses in both countries.

"Jordan needs projects and programmes such as SwitchMed Green Entrepreneurship Programme. It will leave a great positive effect on the community."

Mr. Jihad Swa'er from the Jordanian Ministry of Environment

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