Impact Pioneers MENA is a leadership and collaboration program by the Swedish Institute designed for leaders and experts working to advance local ecosystems for entrepreneurship and innovation across the Middle East and North Africa. The initiative connects impact-driven professionals to foster cross-sector collaboration, share insights from Sweden's successful entrepreneurship environments, and develop new strategies for supporting entrepreneurs who are addressing global climate challenges. The program serves as a platform for ecosystem leaders to strengthen local innovation and build a robust professional network.
Program Overview
• Program Duration: The program runs for approximately 12 weeks.
• Format: A hybrid model combining online modules with an in-person experience.
• Online Component: Features regular online workshops, networking sessions, practical work, and coaching support from experienced practitioners.
• On-site Module: A one-week immersive session in Stockholm, Sweden, in September, offering direct engagement with leading Swedish entrepreneurship experts, hands-on workshops, and field visits to top innovation hubs.
• Cohort: The program brings together up to 80 leaders from seven countries in the MENA region.
Key Benefits for Participants
• Networking: A unique opportunity for collaboration and exchange with a regional community of peers, fostering a strong and enduring professional network.
• Insights: Access to new perspectives from the forefront of climate entrepreneurship and innovation, including practical cases, tools, and frameworks.
• Ecosystem Exposure: First-hand experience of the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Stockholm, recognized as a leading hub in the impact domain.
• Relationship Building: A chance to establish long-term relations with Swedish foreign missions, entrepreneurs, and organizations.
Eligibility Criteria
• Professional Profile: Applicants should be entrepreneurship ecosystem leaders and practitioners from organizations supporting climate entrepreneurship and innovation. This includes areas such as water, energy, food production, circularity, waste, infrastructure, and transportation.
• Role: Candidates should hold strategic, decision-influencing, or system-shaping roles within their organization.
• Eligible Roles Include: Founders and managers of startup hubs, accelerators, or incubators; founders and managers of technology and innovation hubs; representatives of business support organizations; university ecosystem leaders; investors supporting climate entrepreneurship; and public sector professionals in relevant initiatives.
• Geographic Requirement: Applicants must be a citizen and resident of one of the seven program countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, or Tunisia.
• General Requirements: A good working knowledge of both written and spoken English; a willingness to actively participate and share experiences; and have identified opportunities or challenges to work on during the program.
Program Timeline and Structure
• Time Commitment: Participants should plan to dedicate approximately three to four hours per week to the program.
• Online Workshops and Master Classes (May – July 2026): The online portion includes interactive workshops, peer learning sessions, and master classes on tools, cases, and developments in climate entrepreneurship.
• Change Project: Each participant will identify and work on a challenge or opportunity relevant to their role or organization. This project allows for the practical application of knowledge gained, aiming to develop measurable results and launch change initiatives.
• Sweden Week (26 September – 2 October 2026): An on-site week in Stockholm for participants who have successfully completed the online components. This module focuses on deepening peer exchange and engaging with Sweden’s innovation ecosystem through workshops and field visits.
Financial Information
• Costs Covered by the Swedish Institute: Participation in the program is free of charge. Covered costs include the learning program, flights to and from Stockholm, accommodation and meals in Stockholm, insurance during the stay in Sweden, and all training materials.
• Costs Not Covered: Participants are responsible for visa costs, occasional meals not included during the on-site week, local taxi fares in Sweden, insurance when not in Sweden, and local travel expenses within their home country.
Application Process
• Step 1: Application Submission: Applications must be submitted through the Dream Apply portal between 17 February and 24 March 2026. The process involves registering a profile, completing all sections of the application, and uploading a CV and a short pre-recorded video.
• Step 2: Evaluation: A selection committee appointed by the Swedish Institute assesses each application based on candidate fit and organizational fit. The final selection also considers the overall diversity of the group, including country representation, organizational profiles, and gender balance.
• Step 3: Admission Notification: All applicants will be notified of the selection results no later than 27 April.
Additional Information
• Visa Applications: The Swedish Institute will provide an invitation letter and insurance certificate to support visa applications. However, obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the participant, and participation is contingent upon its approval.
• Information for Lebanese Applicants: As of April 2024, Schengen visa applications for Sweden are not processed in Beirut. Lebanese participants must apply at the Swedish Embassy in Amman or VFS centers in Jordan, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey. The Swedish Institute will cover flights for the visa application trip but not accommodation or other related expenses.
• Alumni Eligibility: Alumni of previous SI leadership programs, such as the SI Global Executive Programme, She Entrepreneurs, or SI Leader Lab, are eligible to apply.
This program offers a distinct opportunity for leaders to enhance their capacity to foster innovation and drive climate-positive change within their local entrepreneurial ecosystems. Interested parties can learn more by registering for the informational webinar scheduled for 3 March 2026.