Doha: A new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging in Qatar, looking beyond mere profit generation. These social entrepreneurs are driven not only to implement new applications, but also to develop and fund solutions to community-based problems.
“Over the past three years, more and more people are entering the social entrepreneurship market. They are earning income, but they are still trying to solve social problems,” said Mohammed Al Abdulghani, manager of the Entrepreneurship Division at the Center for Social Development (Nama Center). told The Peninsula recently during the launch of Al Shomas Products’ website.
During the event, Sheikh Faisal bin Qasim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Businessmen’s Association (QBA), said that such an initiative – to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in their digital transformation – will benefit local and global markets. to sell Qatari products and encourage entrepreneurship.
Asked about the support provided to social entrepreneurs in the country, Sheikh Faisal told The Peninsula: In addition, all government agencies and social organizations provide various types of support, such as organizing conferences for the welfare of communities, including young entrepreneurs. ”
Al Abdulghani added that the Nama Center recently adopted a new segment to support social entrepreneurs and also launched a ‘Be a Social Entrepreneur’ campaign. “It differs from traditional entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship focuses on the same traditional cycle of work, but also seeks to focus on the social outcomes of projects. We need to leave a mark on society and also to have an income and income here is for sustainability and not for pure profit.From this point of view we We are trying to support social entrepreneurs,” said Al Abdulghani.
To date, among Qatar’s most prominent social entrepreneurs is Wardah Mamukoya, founder and managing director of Wa’hab, an award-winning small business aimed at reducing food waste in the country. There is
In a previous interview with The Peninsula, Mamkoya said: Don’t just look for success. It may come along the way. But it’s really about impacting other people’s lives. ”
And with Qatar pledging to host the first carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup of the year, Mamkoya is relying on the idea that reducing food waste will also reduce its carbon footprint. “Right now there is a huge wave of sustainability awareness in Qatar and I think the country is ready for composting,” she added.
Also speaking to The Peninsula during a recent website launch event, Nama Center Executive Director Sabah Mohammed Al Fadallah reiterated the support provided to Qatar’s micro-enterprises and social entrepreneurs.
she said: We signed a MoU with them. We are also the only and only entity in Qatar to offer training on Amazon Web Services in Cloud Computing. We do it for the unemployed and underemployed youth of Qatar.
“We also have a huge following for micro-enterprises. We welcome a lot of young people who want to explore and learn more about social entrepreneurship. We receive a lot of business ideas from young people covering various fields such as , lifestyle, artificial intelligence, environment and agriculture,” Al Fadala added.
