SPARK 2024: Annual report highlights
2024 was a challenging year for many of SPARK’s operational countries. These challenges highlight why SPARK’s work matters now more than ever: expanding access to economic opportunities empowers young people to build more stable, inclusive, and hopeful futures.
Although it has been challenging, we ended the year strong and created the right circumstances for a more stable 2025. SPARK continues to focus on the three key sectors of green business, agri-business and digital technology, creating future-oriented and sustainable impact for our target group in Conflict-Affected Settings (FCAS) across Africa and the Middle East.
2,631 jobs created in directly supported businesses
Our work in numbers
In 2024, SPARK’s programmes created meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs, youth, and local partners across conflict-affected regions. A total of 2,166 entrepreneurs gained access to finance, enabling them to launch or expand their ventures. 265 new businesses were created or existing businesses supported to grow, strengthening local economies and job markets. To prepare young people for employment, 5,091 participants took part in employability training, while 284 individuals were matched with an internship or traineeship to gain hands-on experience. These efforts contributed to the creation of 2,631 jobs in directly supported businesses. At the same time, 45 local partner organisations received capacity building support, and 1,087 entrepreneurs benefited from tailored coaching or business skills training, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.
Hear from a university graduate
Name: Sondos Aabed
Title: University graduate
Age: 22
Location: Al-Bireh, Ramallah, Palestine
Sondos, a 22-year-old from Al-Bireh City, Palestine, has transformed her passion for technology into a rewarding career. Her journey showcases the potential of Palestinian tech talents and highlights the importance of building the capacity of new talent in the Palestinian tech industry. By leveraging long-term tech training and embracing a range of specialisations, Sondos has found her place in the regional tech ecosystem and is also contributing to the growing demand for digital business practices and ICT services in Palestine.
2,166 entrepreneurs gained access to finance and 1,087 benefited from tailored coaching or business skills training
Impact and reach
In 2024, SPARK commissioned external evaluations for four key programmes: EU Madad in Iraq, Akazi Keza in Burundi, GWIZA in Rwanda, and the QFFD-funded programme in Turkey and Jordan, revealing significant progress in enhancing education access, job creation, and SME growth for vulnerable populations across challenging contexts. The evaluations demonstrate strong impact in boosting employability, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting institutional development, while also highlighting the need for deeper integration with local systems and improved long-term sustainability. Across all four programmes, the evaluations affirm SPARK’s growing reach and impact in fragile settings, while emphasising the importance of enhancing local ownership, deepening private sector collaboration, and embedding sustainability measures to maximise long-term benefits.
Hear from an entrepreneur
Name: Al-Muthanna Al-Muhaisen
Title: Founder
Organisation: Hypo Farm
Location: Jordan
In 2019, around 124 million individuals faced acute food shortages due to climate-related events such as flooding, irregular rainfall, droughts and extreme temperatures, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Since 2021, prioritising food security and strengthening food systems have been central pillars of Jordan’s development agenda, with the government introducing a National Food Security Strategy 2021-2030.
Al-Muthanna Al-Muhaisen, Founder of Hypo Farm, reflects that:
“Jordan’s youth can’t turn a blind eye to our nation’s twin challenges: food and water security. We need collective action to ensure a sustainable future.”
45 local partner organisations received capacity building support
Representation and communication: Overview of the IGNITE Amman conference
SPARK’s annual IGNITE conference took place in Amman in December 2024 and was held again after the success of the North Africa IGNITE conference. With more than 500 international guests and experts in attendance from throughout the regions in which SPARK operates, delegates representing more than 10 different nationalities attended workshops, high-level panels and keynote speeches, discussing how to invest in the future for young people living in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
5,091 participants received employability training
Hear from an entrepreneur
Name: Marwa Al-Wadawi
Title: Founder
Organisation: Tafaseel
Location: Libya
Marwa Al-Wadawi, founder of Tafaseel, is transforming Libya’s fashion scene with focus on high-quality, sustainable children’s clothing. After discovering the challenges of accessing affordable baby products, Marwa learned to sew and launched her startup with support from the Asarya Business Incubator. Tafaseel not only prioritises non-toxic materials for its garments but also aims to empower local communities by creating job opportunities for women. As a driven mother and entrepreneur, Marwa is shaping a vibrant local brand while addressing the economic uncertainties of Libya’s private sector.
Download full report
The Annual Report provides comprehensive information on SPARK’s activities throughout the preceding year. Published with the approval of the Supervisory Board, the SPARK Annual Report is testament to the priority we place on transparency and accountability.