Qatar provides $10 million to businesses in Turkey and Jordan affected by COVID-19
December 2019: SPARK Director, Yannick du Pont with His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari during the Doha Forum
Four year programme will create 4,000 new jobs for Syrians, Turks and Jordanians
His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) recently signed a new, four year partnership with SPARK that provides support to the most vulnerable Syrian refugees, Turkish and Jordanian nationals, and will create 4,000 new jobs.
The COVID-19 crisis disproportionately affects those from more vulnerable backgrounds, such as refugees. Both Turkey and Jordan face enormous challenges to reduce the poverty faced by Syrian refugees and vulnerable members of their societies in light of an impending economic recession because of COVID-19 and the decade-long Syrian conflict next door.
Thirty percent of the new $10 million programme is a dedicated COVID-19 response, in which existing jobs and investments are safeguarded and new jobs created through Micro- Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) support for companies directly relevant to the fight against COVID-19.
“SPARK creates more job opportunities by boosting entrepreneurship development and supporting the growth of existing businesses by providing training, coaching and access to finance. We aim to support young people in becoming skilled, future leaders to rebuild their conflict-affected countries”, said Yannick du Pont, Director of SPARK.
QFFD’s generous support comes at a crucial point, when many other international donors are reviewing and withdrawing financial support for valuable causes in the Middle East as a result of the pandemic.
Related news
-
![]()
NewsStop the war, restore hope: Together, let’s rebuild Gaza
-
![]()
NewsIgniting entrepreneurship: SPARK inaugurates first incubator in Al-Bayda
SPARK has inaugurated Silphium Labs, the first business incubator in Al-Bayda, Libya, in partnership with Omar Al-Mokhtar University. Part of…
-
![]()
NewsSPARK’s statement on escalations in Lebanon
SPARK is deeply concerned by the dramatic escalations in Lebanon, and devastated by the extensive loss of civilian life, including…
-
![]()
NewsJordanian youth and refugees boost job skills with STEP Programme
In Jordan, the “Skills Training for Education Programme” (STEP) addresses youth unemployment by providing practical skills to Jordanian youth and…
-
![]()
NewsLibya’s devastating floods, one year on
-
![]()
NewsClicks to Progress: Celebrating Libyan Youth’s Role in Digital Transformation
In a vibrant display of creativity and innovation, Over 100 Libyan youth gathered in Benghazi for “Clicks to Progress,” an…
-
![]()
NewsAre you ready to explore a new era of tourism?
-
![]()
NewsTen startups win a total of 100,000 Euros in seed funding at Asarya Startup Competition
After six months of intensive incubation, the first batch of the Libya Startup Programme wrapped up with a vibrant closing…
-
![]()
NewsHighlights from the “Start Your Own Business” seminar at the University of Benghazi
On 27 July 2024, the University of Benghazi hosted a seminar on entrepreneurship, organised by SPARK and the university’s Business…
-
![]()
“Don’t Go, Fix It”: Boosting youth activism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
-
![]()
Exploring careers and creativity: Ranya’s vibrant youth festival
-
![]()
New Riyada Programme boosts services for Palestinian startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs)
-
![]()
IGNITE Istanbul Conference Addresses Building Economic Resilience for Youth in Türkiye and Jordan
