Introduction
Impact Pioneers is a global platform for ecosystem leaders seeking to strengthen local entrepreneurship and innovation. The programme is both a leadership networking opportunity and a collaboration accelerator, gathering impact-driven leaders to find new ways forward.
Programme Overview
This year’s MENA edition will bring together 80 leaders and experts who promote entrepreneurship and innovation that can accelerate solutions to global climate challenges. The programme will run over approximately 12 weeks, with a one-week onsite module in Sweden. It offers new insights from the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem forefront through practical cases and exchange of perspectives, tools, and frameworks to grow collective efforts and impact.
Programme Structure
The programme takes a highly practical approach, featuring regular online workshops, networking sessions, practical work, and coaching support delivered by practitioners and experts with extensive experience from the field.
Benefits
Impact Pioneers ’26 MENA will give participants:
- A unique opportunity for collaboration and exchange with a regional community of peers, fostering a strong and enduring professional network.
- Support and inspiration by new insights from the climate entrepreneurship and innovation forefront, such as practical cases, tools, and frameworks.
- First-hand experience of the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Stockholm and Sweden, recognised as one of the leading ecosystems in the impact entrepreneurship domain.
- A chance to build long-term relations with Swedish foreign missions as well as Swedish entrepreneurs and organisations.
Eligibility Criteria
The application is open to entrepreneurship ecosystem leaders and practitioners who work in organisations and networks that want to develop their support for climate entrepreneurship and innovation. Applicants should hold strategic, decision-influencing, or system-shaping roles within their organisation. Examples of eligible applicants include:
- Founders and managers of startup hubs, accelerators, or incubators
- Founders and managers of technology and innovation hubs
- Representatives of business support organisations and networks
- University ecosystem leaders working to bridge research and entrepreneurship
- Investors actively engaged in activities that support climate entrepreneurship and innovation
- Public sector professionals involved in initiatives that advance climate entrepreneurship and innovation
Applicants must be a citizen and resident of one of the seven programme countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. They must also meet the following requirements:
- Work in an organisation that nurtures and grows climate entrepreneurship and innovation.
- Have a good working knowledge of both written and spoken English.
- Be willing to actively participate, provide support, and share their experience and knowledge with other participants.
- Have identified opportunities and challenges that could be worked on during the programme to help their organisation improve its contribution to the local climate entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Programme Timeline
The programme includes:
- Online workshops, peer learning, and master classes (May – July 2026)
- Change project: Each participant is asked to identify a challenge or opportunity relevant to their role or based on their organisation’s overall needs within the programme framework.
- Sweden week, on-site (26 September – 2 October 2026): An interactive and immersive on-site week in Stockholm, offering a unique opportunity to deepen the exchange with peers and engage directly with leading Swedish entrepreneurship experts and practitioners.
Costs and Funding
Participation in Impact Pioneers is free of charge. The Swedish Institute arranges and covers costs related to:
- Learning programme
- Flights to and from Stockholm
- Accommodation and meals in Stockholm during the on-site meeting
- Insurance during the on-site meeting
- All training materials online and on site
Application Deadline
The application deadline is April 12, 2026.
Grant Atlas