How MENACatalyst Embraced Technology to Deliver Impact

Amidst a landscape of lockdowns, self-isolation, and social distancing, COVID-19  has, at least for the time being, changed the world of work as we know it. As a result, remote work has become the new normal with individuals embracing virtual solutions to keep up with work progress, meetings, and conferences on a global scale.

For NGOs working to have an impact on the ground, meeting with beneficiaries, and implementing project activities has hit a standstill. Unfortunately, many projects were and still are unable to progress, and must wait until restrictions are lifted to resume operations. However, some organizations anticipated the potential effects of COVID-19 and immediately took precautionary measures.

Case in point, MENACatalyst, a Palestine based NGO working to promote a more virtual and resilient economy via enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, was in the middle of the implementation of GIZ funded, Women in TVET Entrepreneurial Project. However, as COVID-19 began to take the world by storm, MC was proactive and informed the GIZ of the impending shutdown and immediately began implementation of a series of measures to ensure the virtual progression of the project.

To date, MC has successfully carried out all the project’s capacity building activities online. This includes group training workshops and individual mentorship sessions. Via a series of online seminars on Skype with high-profile local and international experts in the realm of business development and entrepreneurship, volunteer speakers, and dedicated Facebook and WhatsApp groups, MC embraced the power of digital access across the board. The active engagement and commitment on behalf of project participants, as well as MC’s community of international and local entrepreneurs and industry leaders, have been exceptional over the course of the project.   

In today’s fast-paced digital world, technology is an indispensable asset for businesses regardless of size and sector to grow. This is why emphasis was placed on the tech aspects of business development, and introduced participants to the potential and benefits of e-commerce, by selling and marketing their projects via dedicated online platforms like Etsy as well as through Facebook or Instagram to expand their outreach and to reach new market segments.

Further, for new businesses that lack sufficient resources to expand or even kick-off, crowdfunding was introduced as a strategic solution, with at least two campaigns currently underway. And to commemorate the project, participants will be encouraged to share the start of their entrepreneurial journey with the world, via MC’s online platform.

Ultimately, with social distancing measures, mandatory lockdowns, and an impending economic downturn, and the ever-looming threat of additional COVID-19 waves, it is difficult to predict when things might go back to normal, or if it is even possible to revert to the way things were. But one thing we can do is adjust to the changing times, and embrace the tools that we do have, namely technology and digital solutions to overcome distance and collaborate with cross-sector stakeholders to stay alive.

While this may not apply to everyone, for NGOs like MC, digital access has proven an essential lifeline. Using technology has helped the organization maintain operations, keep up with their donors, and help a group of aspiring entrepreneurs from Hebron stay the course of the project to establish life-changing ventures.