The Potential of Social Entrepreneurship in the Middle East post Arab Spring

The Potential of Social Entrepreneurship in the Middle East post Arab Spring

The Arab Spring was an important influence on the social and economic conditions in the Arab world. Throughout the region, the economy was adversely affected with high unemployment rates, low foreign investment and tourism, and the disruption in exports. However, the Arab world also witnessed an increase in awareness about the need for citizens to take responsibility for their social, economic and political future, and move away from dependence on the public sector for creating employment opportunities.

With ongoing transformations in the Arab countries in the post-Arab spring, civil society and the private sector - which governments were monitoring closely - have now more freedom to work. These factors indicate a likely birth of social and economic environment that will create platforms for vital social entrepreneurship projects.  Such social projects will be attractive to young people because of it is importance in the rebuilding process of the society and it also provides employment opportunities.

Unlike traditional business entrepreneurs, the goal of social entrepreneurs is not only to maximise financial gain. Instead, the social impact is the primary goal. Social projects succeeded in introducing new reforms and models to improve education, health services, and community development, and gender issues, and economic growth.

Social entrepreneurship is appealing to be innovative model that can address the continuing problems of poverty and inequality in the Arab societies through harnessing the energy of young people to support the economic and social growth. While social entrepreneurship sectors are still relatively new in the Arab world, there were some minor activities in the region over the past decade, which was supported by international and regional humanitarian programs. 

A 2010 report issued by the Brookings Institution (Abdou et al.) indicates the low level of knowledge of terminology and concepts of social entrepreneurship forms in the Middle East. This reveals a need to make more effort to build awareness and changing attitudes towards social entrepreneurship. However, there is a strong foundation for volunteer work in all parts of the Arab world, especially among young people who are involved in social activities and charities, which indicates a strong potential for the further development of social entrepreneurship. 

Edz Threadz sees the Middle East as an attractive location for its social entrepreneurship operations and would like to be part of the social development in the Arab World. 

References:

Abdou, E., Nelson, J., Fahmy, A., Greenwald, D., (2010).  The Status and Potential of Social Entrepreneurship in the Middle East. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution, http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2010/04/social-entrepreneurship

Marwan Albahar