On 26 July 2025, Alfanar was pleased to co-host the Development Partners Forum with the International Forum of Development Organizations (IFDO) in Amman as part of the EU-funded programme From Innovation to Creation, ​​implemented by Alfanar in collaboration with SPARK.

The forum brought together over 140 participants – including local and international organisations, social enterprises, investors, and development experts – to explore how collaboration can strengthen the Arab region’s impact ecosystem.

At the heart of the discussions was a shared recognition: while social enterprises are delivering solutions in education, climate, livelihoods, and more, they continue to face major hurdles. Weak or absent governance regulations make it difficult to attract investment, while language and communication gaps often limit engagement with investors. Persistent data gaps obscure both needs and opportunities, and enterprises struggle to align with investor expectations in the context of limited private-sector awareness of social entrepreneurship. Overreliance on external funding further constrains their ability to grow sustainably.

Against this backdrop, participants highlighted practical ways forward. Stronger communication, innovative partnerships, and cross-sector initiatives can help bridge divides, amplify impact and reduce reliance on aid. Win-win situations exist that can help build trust and momentum toward long-term, sustainable benefits for both social enterprises and investors.

Alfanar-supported enterprises showcased their models, lessons, and impact stories, demonstrating how locally led solutions can thrive with the right support. The forum also benefited from insights shared by Action for Humanity, German Jordanian University, Brunel University of London, and others, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and scaling social impact across sectors.

Mousa Samara, CEO of social enterprise OrganicG, stated: “The event was excellently organized, and we had the opportunity to connect with initiatives that share our values and goals. This collaborative spirit positions us as partners in success rather than competitors. It opens new horizons for a more sustainable future. This experience had a significant positive impact on our journey at OrganicG as a startup.”

We are grateful to have co-facilitated this convening as we work with our grantees and partners to build the infrastructure for the Arab region’s impact economy.