american nonprofit (1951) international education training development assistance programs and...
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American nonprofit (1951)• International education• Training• Development assistance
Programs and services to:• Improve educational opportunity
and quality• Strengthen local institutions
• Develop language and professional skills for success in the global economy
Offices in 12 MENA countries
Committed to the economic empowerment of individuals and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where Citi Bank works so that they can improve their standard of living. Strategic giving focused on:
• Microfinance and Microenterprise• Small and Growing Businesses• Education• Financial Education• Asset Building
Present in 10 MENA countries
AMIDEAST
Egypt (AWEP year 2)IraqJordan (AWEP year 2)Kuwait (AWEP year 1)Lebanon (AWEP & Cisco Entrepreneur Institute)Morocco (AWEP & Cisco Entrepreneur Institute)Oman (Cisco Entrepreneur Institute)Saudi ArabiaTunisia (Cisco Entrepreneur Institute)UAE (AWEP year 1 & Cisco Entrepreneur Institute)West Bank/Gaza (Cisco Entrepreneur Institute)Yemen
Citi Bank
EgyptBahrainJordan
LebanonMorocco
QatarTunisia
UAE
Initiative focused on empowering women entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge that will enable them to more fully realize their economic potential and benefit from networking and mentoring relationships that foster business success.
Arab Women’s Entrepreneurship Project (AWEP)
In the Middle East and North Africa:
• Unemployment rates for women are markedly worse than those for men.
• Women’s economic participation remains under 25%—lower than in any other world region.
• Rising costs of living makes it more difficult for low-income households to sustain themselves.
• Lack of adequate regulations to support and protect women in the workforce and lingering traditional perceptions make it difficult for many to accept women as breadwinners, therefore impacting employment prospects for women.
Self employment can be an appropriate alternative
• It gives women control over the structure of their economic activity.
• Women business owners and managers tend to hire more women and provide unbiased work environment.
Challenges remain
• Women are underrepresented as beneficiaries of enterprise development programs.
• Women have lesser access to financial and training services than do men.
Training focused on building entrepreneurship awareness and fundamental business skills, such as:
• Entrepreneurial mindset and personal development skills• Formulating a business plan• Customer support• Sales• Use of technology for business growth• Financial literacy
AWEP Training
• 15 initial days of training
• Two full-day follow-up meetings
• A series of mentorship meetings
Structure
Countries and Numbers
Year 12011–2012
60 participants
Lebanon –19Kuwait –17
Morocco–17UAE – 7
Year 2 2012–2013
74 participants
Egypt–16Jordan –20
Lebanon –20Morocco–18
Year 1 Results
20 Grew an existing business, started or were poised to launch
14 Actively moved forward with planning, securing funding, acquiring facilities, and other preliminary steps
Financial Literacy
• How to prepare a feasibility study• How to forecast startup and development costs• How to project profit and loss • How to project cash flow• Basic financial ratios• Basic accounting skills
• Taxation options and required financial reporting• Accounting systems /software• Accountants and auditors• Funding opportunities available• How to apply for funding
• Lack of awareness
• Accountants and auditors (Lebanon)
• Corruption (Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon - slight decrease in Egypt)
• Double books (Jordan, Lebanon)
Challenges Specific to Financial Reporting
Impact
• Practical knowledge and skills
• Increased self-confidence
• Avoid costly mistakes
• Inspirational and motivational
• Supported by mentors and a network of peers
ChallengesGeneral
• Work-life balance• Funding• Cultural issues• Existing financial commitments• Fear of leaving a secure job and overall
fear of failure• Lack of role models• Lack of mentors
Morocco
• Bank loan requirementsLebanon
• Political situation
Egypt • Marketing
Egypt and Lebanon• Corruption• Skewed ethics• Inefficient legal system
Most Important Factors for Those Who Succeeded
• Practical, hands-on training
• Personal development tactics
• Mentorship
• Family support
• Role models
(A few) Success Stories
Sataney Hina, Jordanhome-made jams and sweets
Juhaina Elawar, Lebanon
women’s clothing and accessories
Myriam Dagher, Lebanonpersonal fitness
Amina Majdi,, Morocco
women’s cooperative
Conclusion and
Contact info
Allyson Croft JerabEmail: [email protected].: +961-(0)1-989901, ext. 234Web: http://amideast.org / http://amideast.org/lebanon