Lessons in Building Economic Resilience across Türkiye and Jordan
The global COVID-19 pandemic, earthquakes in Türkiye and protracted conflicts throughout the Middle East have led to significant challenges for economies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially those led by refugees and women, are most negatively impacted, leading to job losses and financial insecurity for many.
For four years, SPARK and the Qatar Fund for Development have worked together with our partners in Türkiye and Jordan to safeguard jobs, build business resilience among SMEs and open new pathways to employment for youth.
The IGNITE Istanbul conference invites practitioners to learn from the results of the programme, engage in discussions and build upon the solutions for stronger economic growth throughout the region. Join a diverse group of thought-leaders, stakeholders and experts, including governments, private sector, investors, entrepreneurs and higher education institutions, in improving the economic opportunities for youth, women and refugees in Türkiye and Jordan.
Through a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops and interactive participation, the event explores digital upskilling, entrepreneurship development, building business resilience during instability.
IGNITE Istanbul is powered by Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Charity and SPARK.
Speakers
IGNITE Istanbul convenes industry experts and stakeholders with the aim of fostering economic growth and creating opportunities to shape a promising future for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), youth, women, and refugees in the region.

Louisa Vinton, UNDP Turkey Resident Representative

Hüseyin KAPTAN, Gaziantep Deputy Governor

Eng. Yousuf Ahmad H Al-Hammadi

Mr. Simon van Melick, CEO of SPARK

Rasha Manna

Ishrat Ullah

Dina Almasaeid

Sami Hourani M.D, MA

Zana Nesheiwat, MPP

Osama Hennawi, Architect | Co-Founder, Paketman

Ömer CEMİLOĞLU Co-Founder, Paketman / Executive Manager

Mustafa Elsagezli, Founder and Chairman of The Bina Program

Nalan Kurt – NLK Information Technologie INC.

Okan Altaşlı, Private Sector Partnership Coordinator

Mert Canturk, Regional Programme Manager – Middle East – SPARK

Esra ÜZEL YÜNCÜLER

Kazım Yıldırım

Dr. Yavuz Selim SILAY, MD, MBA

Rahaf Abu Mayyaleh

Gülbin Çalışkantürk

Fatma Mehtap Ozdemir

Belal Raslan
