EU launches ‘NEXT SOCIETY’ initiative to develop tech solutions to regional issues

AMMAN — The delegation of the European Union (EU) to Jordan on October 25 launched the “NEXT SOCIETY” initiative in Amman, with the aim of gathering innovators and entrepreneurs from across the Kingdom to develop innovative solutions for the future of Jordan and of the Arab region. 

Funded by the EU, the programme is coordinated in Jordan by the ANIMA Innovation Network, in partnership with the Information and Communications Technology Association and the Royal Scientific Society, Communications Manager at ANIMA Lauriane Ammouche told The Jordan Times. 

Three Jordanian start-ups have already been selected to access the services of the initiative’s tailor-made support programme for entrepreneurs, according to Ammouche. 

“The support programme, namely Start-up Booster Track, enables entrepreneurs to bridge with key markets in Europe, Africa, the Gulf countries and the United States,” she added. 

The initiative has been established in a total of 30 countries across Europe and the Mediterranean region, involving 3,000 businesses, innovators and investment organisations and 2,500 SMEs and entrepreneurs.

Several countries in the region have been active in the programme over the past months, developing various solutions to address the challenges faced by the Middle Eastern countries. 

In Palestine, “Edunation” provides a new-age learning environment for students, with an active platform that accommodates a multi-lingual, multi-curricula environment that aims to empower educators to deliver educational value. 

Another of the countries active in the initiative, Lebanon is implementing “Riego”, a system that offers a solar powered control device to optimise irrigation water consumption. 

For its part, Tunisia collaborated to design the first compactor that treats all kinds of waste, which is already present in many African countries.