Financial Adoption and Inclusion Response & Taqadam al-Mal
Empowering entrepreneurs
Jordan
Livelihoods & Economic Development
2024-2025
BMZ/GIZ
Building on °®¶¹´«Ã½â€™s experience supporting home-based businesses in Jordan under the Jordan Livelihoods Project and Smart Desert Program, the Financial Adoption and Inclusion Response (FAIR) and Taqadam al-Mal (TAM) projects provide targeted support to help entrepreneurs realize the full potential of their businesses. Both projects were funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its Innovative Approaches for the Financial Inclusion of MSMEs in Jordan (I-FIN) project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Identifying Barriers to Sustainable Business Growth
The FAIR project began with a rapid market assessment that identified key challenges preventing access to finance and business growth for micro-enterprises in Amman, Balqaa, Irbid, Madaba, and Mafraq governorates. In partnership with local community-based organizations, 120 Jordanian and Syrian home-based businesses, 70% of whom were women-led, were selected to participate.
The cohort of entrepreneurs received training and personalized guidance tailored to their needs and businesses. Financial literacy, including costing, pricing, e-wallet integration, and business planning, were prioritized to support business management and better position owners for microfinance opportunities. By the completion of the project, each entrepreneur had developed a business plan, in sectors such as food production, handicrafts, and agriculture. We partnered with microfinance institutions, such as the Micro Fund for Women (MFW), to provide entrepreneurs with access to financial services. FAIR also connected 54 interested participants to local bazaars, opening new market visibility, with 86% reported increased demand for their products after the bazaar.
Building on Progress
As FAIR participants strengthened their businesses our team continued assessments, identifying opportunities to support further growth. In January 2025, we launched Taqdamal al-Amal (TAM), working with 60 of the original FAIR cohort and a new group of 120 entrepreneurs covering additional geographic locations such as Jerash and Zarqa. We worked with a breadth of businesses such as sewing, crafts, food production, and green initiatives, including hydroponics. While FAIR focused on building strong foundations, TAM helped businesses take the next step.
Strengthening Business Models and Access to Finance
TAM introduced mentoring to help promising entrepreneurs move forward. °®¶¹´«Ã½ connected home-based business owners with local businesses, marketing firms, and legal experts to refine packaging, improve sales presentations, and address employment regulations. We continued to partner with microfinance institutions, such as the Micro Fund for Women (MFW), to provide entrepreneurs with access to financial services. At the same time, °®¶¹´«Ã½ trained MFW loan officers on the unique challenges home-based businesses face, helping to strengthen mutual understanding between financial institutions and entrepreneurs.
