Deadline: 31-Dec-2025
The HEYA – Women in Innovation program supports women in Jordan to transform home-based projects and early-stage business ideas into scalable, sustainable enterprises. The initiative prioritizes economic empowerment, job creation, and inclusive entrepreneurship for Jordanian and refugee women, especially those from rural, marginalized, or low-income communities.
The HEYA – Women in Innovation program is a targeted entrepreneurship support initiative designed to help women in Jordan grow home-based businesses and early-stage ventures into viable, long-term enterprises. The program focuses on strengthening women’s entrepreneurial leadership, increasing income-generating opportunities, and supporting innovation-driven local economic development across Jordan’s governorates.
Program Purpose and Vision
HEYA aims to remove structural and social barriers that limit women’s participation in entrepreneurship. By providing tailored support to women-led businesses, the program promotes sustainable livelihoods, job creation, and inclusive economic growth while advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Why This Program Matters
Women entrepreneurs in Jordan, particularly those operating from home or in early business stages, often face limited access to resources, networks, and formal support. HEYA addresses these gaps by:
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Supporting women-led home enterprises and startups
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Encouraging innovation and local economic development
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Creating pathways to formalization and business growth
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Strengthening women’s leadership and decision-making power
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Contributing to long-term job creation and resilience
Who Is Eligible?
The program is open to a diverse and inclusive group of women entrepreneurs, including:
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Jordanian women
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Syrian refugee women living in Jordan
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Women residing in rural or marginalized areas
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Women from low-income households
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Women running home-based projects
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Women developing early-stage or startup business ideas
Eligibility is designed to ensure that support reaches women who face economic and social barriers to entrepreneurship.
Who Can Apply?
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Applications must be submitted directly by the business founder
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Applicants must be actively involved in managing or developing the business idea
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Group or third-party applications are not accepted
Business Stages Supported
The HEYA – Women in Innovation program supports women at different points in their entrepreneurial journey through two structured tracks.
Track 1: Home-Based Projects
This track supports women who are already operating home-based businesses. The focus is on:
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Strengthening existing operations
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Improving business structure and sustainability
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Supporting formalization where applicable
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Expanding products, services, or market reach
Track 2: Startups and Growing Ventures
This track is designed for women with early-stage startups or business ideas ready to scale. It supports:
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Business growth and innovation
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Scaling operations and market entry
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Developing sustainable business models
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Preparing ventures for long-term expansion
How the Program Works
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Eligible women founders submit an individual application.
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Applicants select the track that best matches their business stage.
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Submitted information is reviewed to assess needs and potential.
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Selected participants receive targeted support aligned with their track.
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Entrepreneurs strengthen, grow, or scale their ventures toward sustainability.
Application Process
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Applications must be completed by the founder herself.
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The application process takes approximately one hour.
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Applicants are encouraged to prepare all relevant business documents and project information in advance.
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Clear and accurate details help ensure the proposal reflects the business’s current stage and needs.
What to Prepare Before Applying
Applicants should have:
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A clear description of the business or idea
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Information on current operations or development stage
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Details on challenges, goals, and support needs
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Any available documents related to the project
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Applying through a representative instead of the founder
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Selecting the wrong track for the business stage
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Submitting incomplete or unclear business information
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Underestimating preparation time for the application
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Failing to explain the sustainability or growth potential of the project
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the HEYA – Women in Innovation program?
It is an entrepreneurship support program helping women in Jordan grow home-based and early-stage businesses into sustainable enterprises.
Who can apply?
Jordanian women, Syrian refugee women, and women from rural, marginalized, or low-income backgrounds running home-based or early-stage ventures.
Can I apply if my business is home-based?
Yes. Home-based projects are a core focus of the program.
Are there different tracks?
Yes. One track supports home-based projects, and the other supports startups and growing ventures.
How long does the application take?
The application takes approximately one hour to complete.
Can someone apply on my behalf?
No. Applications must be submitted directly by the founder.
What is the goal of the program?
To empower women economically by helping them build scalable, sustainable, and innovative businesses.
Conclusion
The HEYA – Women in Innovation program is a strategic opportunity for women in Jordan to transform home-based projects and early-stage ideas into impactful, sustainable businesses. By offering targeted support through two tailored tracks and prioritizing inclusion, the program plays a critical role in advancing women’s entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and long-term job creation.
For more information, visit The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.