If you are an entrepreneur, home-based business owner, or a micro or small enterprise owner in Jordan and are looking for opportunities to develop and grow your business, this opportunity is for you.

The Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa)—funded by the United States Government—offers free mentorship and guidance sessions in entrepreneurship and financial management. The program aims to support business owners in strengthening and developing their projects across sectors such as agriculture, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, services, and more.

Participants will have the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of specialized business mentors, who will provide practical guidance to help entrepreneurs start, strengthen, and grow their businesses through tailored mentorship sessions based on their needs.

About the Mentorship Program

The mentorship program is designed to support home-based, micro, and small businesses by improving their readiness for growth through practical, structured mentorship provided by trained volunteer mentors.

The program follows a mentorship framework covering 12 knowledge areas aligned with the five stages of business growth:

• Idea Generation

• Business Establishment

• Operations

• Profitability

• Growth

Mentorship is delivered through a combination of:

• One-on-one (1:1) mentoring sessions

• Group sessions focusing on specific business topics

Sessions are conducted online and at Iqlaa business centers.

Program Duration

The program begins with a short orientation session before the first mentorship meeting.

The mentorship typically runs for three months, with an estimated commitment of 2–4 hours per month.

Expected Time Commitment per Session

• Before the session: 10–20 minutes to review the agenda and prepare questions or materials

• During the session: 45–60 minutes for discussion, addressing challenges, and agreeing on next steps with the mentor

Responsibilities of Participating Entrepreneurs

Participants are expected to actively engage in the mentorship process by setting clear goals, attending sessions regularly, and implementing agreed actions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing accurate information and defining clear objectives

• Complying with the program’s code of conduct and participant protection principles

• Attending sessions on time and informing the program team in advance if rescheduling is needed

• Completing agreed actions and seeking support early if challenges arise

• Maintaining professional boundaries and not offering financial compensation or equity to mentors

• Respecting confidentiality and using approved communication channels

• Providing brief feedback when requested

• Completing tasks between sessions to maximize the benefits of mentorship

• Responding to mentor communications within 72 hours

About the Iqlaa Program

The Micro and Small Enterprise Productivity Development Program (Iqlaa), funded by the United States Government, began in May 2022 and runs for five years. The program aims to support home-based businesses and micro and small enterprises in Jordan to grow, develop, and become more resilient to future challenges.

Iqlaa focuses on improving access to finance, markets, and business services, while exploring new ways of doing business.

The program prioritizes four main sectors:

• Agriculture

• Tourism and Hospitality

• Manufacturing

• Services

It also emphasizes technology development and adoption, while encouraging participation from diverse groups of entrepreneurs across Jordan.

For more information, please check this link.