JoWomenomics outlines roadmap for enhancing Kingdom’s social enterprise sector

AMMAN — Social enterprises in Jordan offer a hybrid approach that merges social objectives with commercial strategies, according to a recent JoWomenomics review on the potential of social enterprises in the Kingdom.

The review, conducted by the Feminist Integral Centre for Research and Innovation (FICRI) and supported by Plan International, highlights the distinct features of social enterprises, which integrate three main dimensions: economic, social, and governance. 

The reviews also showed that social enterprises, unlike conventional business models, prioritise social missions, balancing financial sustainability with meaningful societal impact.

It also showed that these enterprises engage in commercial activities to support their social missions and enhance financial resilience, noting that their operations focus on addressing social and environmental issues and employing governance models that involve stakeholders in decision-making processes.

It also identifies five key stages required for establishing a robust social enterprise ecosystem in Jordan: developing a legislative framework, creating an institutional framework, providing support for accelerators and incubators, increasing awareness about social enterprises, and facilitating market access.

“Social enterprises take various forms, from independent ventures to cooperatives, non-profits, profit-oriented businesses, and charitable institutions,” said JoWomenomics CEO and Founder Mayyada Abu Jaber.

The review also stressed that “the sustainability of social enterprises relies on their ability to balance profit generation with social impact, within clearly defined boundaries.”

Founded in 2014, JoWomenomics is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering an ecofeminist economy in Jordan and the MENA region. 

The organisation has empowered over 600 women across 10 governorates, reached 4,000 community members, established 18 community champion networks, and advocated for amendments to Jordan’s Labour Law and Social Security Law.