TURN YOUR IDEA INTO IMPACT
Looking to start or grow your business? Unlock the knowledge, guidance, and opportunities you need to succeed
ELNA Project
ELNA – Elevating Local Economies through New Green Skills and Active Market Integration
is an inclusive economic empowerment program designed to support Syrian refugees, vulnerable Jordanians, youth, women, and persons with disabilities in building sustainable income opportunities.
Through entrepreneurship support and market-driven skills development, ELNA helps aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses transform their ideas into viable ventures through practical training, mentoring, coaching, and tailored business support. The program provides participants with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to validate their ideas, develop green and digitally enabled solutions, access markets, and strengthen their businesses.
Implemented across Amman, Madaba, Karak, and Mafraq, ELNA works with local communities, community-based organizations, and private sector partners to create more inclusive economic opportunities and contribute to resilient, innovative, and sustainable local economies.
This program is implemented by TTi in collaboration with COOPI, EFE-Jordan, and funded by the Italian Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
Who Can Apply
ELNA welcomes applications from individuals who are interested in building sustainable income opportunities, starting a business, and accessing new opportunities through entrepreneurship and skills development, applicants should:
- Live in or able to access the targeted areas (Amman, Madaba, Karak or Mafraq)
- Be interested in entrepreneurship, project development, and green economy.
- Be interested in one of the supported sectors, including agriculture, GIG economy, sustainable tourism and hospitality, or green and circular economy
- Young Jordanian and Syrian (20–35 years old)
- Women (20–45 years old)
- People with disabilities have no age limit
Project Locations
Applicants should live in or able to access the targeted areas:
Program Timeline
Outreach (1 month): The program is announced across the target locations to reach aspiring entrepreneurs through multiple communication channels and local partners. During this stage, eligible participants learn about the opportunity and eligibility criteria.
Ideation Bootcamp (1 week): Don’t have a business idea yet? Selected participants will take part in this one-week bootcamp helps participants turn their interests and skills into a practical business concept through guided activities and expert support, preparing them for the next stage of the program.
Pre-Pitch Training (3 days): Selected participants take part in a three-day training to refine their business ideas, improve their presentation skills, and prepare to confidently pitch their ideas to the selection jury.
Pitching Event (1 day): Participants present their business ideas to a panel of experts, receive valuable feedback, and showcase the potential of their concepts. Following the presentations, the top 25 businesses from each cohort are selected to join the four-month Business Clinic.
Business Clinic (4 months): The selected startups receive four months of tailored business support, including up to 100 hours of mentoring and consultation. Through expert guidance and practical workshops, participants strengthen their business models, marketing, financial planning, branding, and green and digital practices to prepare their businesses for sustainable growth.
Outreach
1 month
Ideation Bootcamp
1 week
Pitch Training
3 days
Pitching Event
1 day
Business Clinic
4 months
Funded by
Implemented by
What is ELNA project?
ELNA is an inclusive economic empowerment program designed to support Syrian refugees, vulnerable Jordanians, youth, women, and persons with disabilities in building sustainable income opportunities. Through entrepreneurship support and market-driven skills development, ELNA provides practical training, mentoring, coaching, and tailored business support to help participants develop their ideas, strengthen their businesses, and access new economic opportunities.
Who is eligible to apply?
ELNA welcomes applications from individuals who are interested in entrepreneurship, developing a business idea, or building sustainable income opportunities.
Applicants should:
- Live in or be able to access one of the targeted areas: Amman, Madaba, Karak, or Mafraq.
- Be interested in entrepreneurship, project development, and the green economy.
- Be interested in one of the supported sectors: agriculture, gig economy, sustainable tourism and hospitality, or green and circular economy.
- Be a Jordanian or Syrian
- Youth aged 20–35.
- Woman aged 20–45.
- Persons with disabilities can apply regardless of age, subject to the other eligibility criteria.
Do I need to already have a business to apply?
No. ELNA supports individuals at different stages, including those who have a business idea and those who are interested in starting or developing a business. The program is designed to help participants turn ideas into viable and sustainable income opportunities.
What sectors does ELNA support?
ELNA supports applicants interested in the following sectors:
- Agriculture
- Gig economy
- Sustainable tourism and hospitality
- Green and circular economy
What does “green and circular economy” mean?
The green and circular economy focuses on creating economic opportunities while reducing environmental impact. This can include solutions related to resource efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, reuse, sustainable production, renewable solutions, and environmentally friendly products or services. You do not need to be an environmental expert to apply. An interest in developing a more sustainable business or solution is sufficient.
What kind of support does ELNA provide?
Selected participants may receive a combination of practical support, including:
- Entrepreneurship and business development training
- Skills development and practical workshops
- Business mentoring and coaching
- Support to develop and validate business ideas
- Guidance on developing products and services
- Market-oriented support and connections
- Tailored business support based on participants’ needs
Will I receive financial support or a grant?
At the end of the program, participants who successfully complete the program and meet the selection criteria may receive a small financial subgrant to help them further develop and implement their business idea or strengthen their existing project by addressing identified gaps and needs.
Is participation in the ELNA project free of charge?
Yes. Participation in the project’s training, mentoring, coaching, and business support activities is provided at no cost to selected participants.
Where will the ELNA program take place?
The program will be implemented in four targeted locations:
- Amman
- Madaba
- Karak
- Mafraq
Applicants should live in or be able to access one of these areas.
If I meet the eligibility criteria, will I be selected?
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Eligible applications will be assessed based on additional selection factors, including the quality and potential of the applicant’s business idea or existing project, its relevance to the project’s objectives and sectors, and other selection criteria.
What is the selection process?
Applications will be reviewed against the program’s eligibility and selection criteria. Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for additional information, interviews, or further assessment before final selection.
How do I apply?
You can apply by completing the ELNA registration form through the project’s official application page on TTi website.
Can I apply more than once?
Please submit only one application and make sure that all the information provided is accurate and complete. If more than one application is submitted by the same person, only the most recent application will be considered, and all previous submissions will be disregarded.