Tunisian Entrepreneurs: Breaking Barriers in the MENA Region

SHE LEADS: Empowering Women in the MENA Region

Amman, Jordan - The Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) MENA Office, in partnership with IFLRY, recently organized the "SHE LEADS: Empowering Women in the MENA" workshop, bringing together 12 trailblazing women entrepreneurs from the region. The three-day event aimed to empower women entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed, as well as creating a supportive network for them to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other.

We were honored to have two dynamic and inspiring female founders from Tunisia, who are making waves in the business world, and who participated with us in the ImpactHER program. It was 4-month program, supported by Westerwelle Startup Haus Tunisia, aimed to build an exclusive network of support for Tunisian female entrepreneurs, providing them with a network of contacts and resources. The program included expert workshops and mentorship from experienced women in the startup ecosystem, as well as connecting successful female founders locally and internationally.

During the workshop, our Tunisian participants were actively engaged in the discussions and activities, sharing their local experiences and insights with the other participants. They also had the opportunity to connect with other women entrepreneurs from the region, building relationships and networks that will help them grow their businesses.

The workshop kicked off with an introduction to the facilitators and speakers, followed by business introductions, where each participant presented their business, focusing on their mission, vision, key products/services, and unique value proposition. This was followed by a success and failure session, where participants shared their experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.

The second day of the workshop featured a partner field visit to a relevant business or organization, where participants gained insights into best practices and operational strategies. The visit to a successful local startup provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn from industry leaders and gain practical knowledge on how to overcome common challenges. This was followed by a deep dive into each participant's SWOT analysis, refinement, and action planning based on the field visit insights.

The third and final day of the workshop focused on future planning and recommendations. Participants reflected on the previous days, discussed key takeaways, and brainstormed additional topics and areas of interest for future workshops. They also developed individual action plans based on workshop learnings, setting short-term and long-term goals. This was a crucial step in ensuring that participants could implement the skills and knowledge gained during the workshop and continue to grow their businesses.

The feedback we received from our Tunisian participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to connect with other women entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences. We are proud to have been able to provide this opportunity and look forward to continuing to support the growth and development of women-led businesses in the region.