Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship inviting Jordanian youth to join Forsa programme

With partnership with Adam Smith International, mentorship initiative supports entrepreneurs

AMMAN,September 29, 2013–– The Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship (QRCE) and Adam Smith International (ASI) are inviting entrepreneurs and mentors to join the Forsa mentoring programme, which has recently been launched in Jordan.

Forsa is a flagship programme of the UK Presidency of the G8 -Deauville Partnership, which aims to support the historic political and economic transitions of the people in Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Yemen.

The concept of "Forsa" is based on mentorship, whereby experienced businesspeople provide guidance to fresh entrepreneurs, who are selected from a diverse range of applicants across Jordan.

The QRCE and ASI will manage and support the new relationships between mentors and entrepreneurs, employing their long and deep expertise in the field of entrepreneurship.

"We welcome applications from entrepreneurs with businesses in any sector that are seeking mentoring opportunities," said QRCE's Executive DirectorFarhan Al-Kalaldeh, adding: "We also welcome applicationsfrom experienced business owners and expertswho are willing and able to help young and femaleentrepreneurs succeed".

"We have the experience and a track record that enables us at the Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship to render this project a success,"Kalaldeh said.

He stressed that "we are talking here about entrenching a positive entrepreneurship culture and enhancing a sound ecosystem through the embodiment of true partnership and  cooperationamong states and also between institutions concerned with supporting entrepreneurship like the QRCE, ASI and the Mowgli Foundation.  These institutions support the vital cooperation between mentors and entrepreneurs, whichis the essence of the project".

Forsa will be delivered using the expertise of the award-winning Mowgli Foundation, which signed a strategic partnership with the QRCEin April. The UK-headquartered foundation has already benefited hundreds of entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa.Through the Forsa project, it will establish mentoring relationships between at least 250 entrepreneurs and business people in the six countries, with a particular focus on helping women and entrepreneurs under 35 to nurture their businesses.

Forsawill support the Deauville Partnership objectives of triggering sustainable inclusive growth, creating jobs, enhancing competitiveness and reducing regional inequalities within the Arab region.

The Forsa initiativewas launched in Tunisia by Alistair Burt, UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa in June. The Minister highlighted how Forsa will help "dynamic and determined entrepreneurs unlock their own potential" and give entrepreneurs “the confidence and support to grow their businesses and create jobs”.

Successful applicants will be invited to participate in mentoring workshops in Jordan during October 2013.  Space is limitedand applicants are requested to apply as early as possible.  Applications can be made on Forsa's website:www.forsa-mena.org.

About Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship:

QRCE was established in 2004 to help develop technology entrepreneurship in Jordan. The Centre is hosted by El Hassan Science City and an integral part of iPARK, playing the role of a national Centre of Excellence for Entrepreneurship.  As part of QRCE strategic plan, the Centre is implementing a national initiative supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), Intel Corporation and Arab Potash Company, focusing on networking, recognition & awareness, capacity building and support in various governorates. For more information please visit: www.qrce.org.

For more information, contact:

Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship (QRCE)
Royal Scientific Society (RSS)

P.O. Box 1438 Jubiha, Amman 11941 Jordan
Phone:    + 962 6 515 4892Mobile:    + 962 79 9891420Fax: + 962 6 515 4892

Or visit the following websites:

www.forsa-mena.org.

http://www.mowgli.org.uk

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/deauville-partnership