Impact Pioneers '26 MENA - Svenska institutet

Open for applications until 24 March

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Overview

Connecting ecosystems of entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs are vital to the growth and prosperity of communities. But they require systems and support to succeed at scale. How can we build ecosystems that inspire and support entrepreneurs in tackling global challenges like climate change? 

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.  

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. Join us online and in Sweden to shape the future, together.

12 weeks online with a one-week onsite module in Sweden

Running over approximately 12 weeks in total, the programme  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.  

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. 

In September, all participants will gather in Stockholm for an interactive and immersive onsite week. The week offers a unique opportunity to deepen the connections and networking within the group and engage directly with leading Swedish entrepreneurship experts and practitioners. The programme will include hands-on workshops, field visits to top innovation hubs, and explorations of Stockholm’s vibrant impact entrepreneurship ecosystem 

One of the programme’s unique strengths lies in its wide reach, bringing together up to 80 leaders from seven countries to create a melting pot of perspectives, experience, and opportunities.

Impact Pioneers ’26 MENA will give you:

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.

Si-IP-21Okt-27-KLAR Photo: Rickard Kilström — Impact Pioneers 2025. Photo: Rickard Kilström

Who can apply?

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 (e.g. in areas such as water, energy, food production, circularity, waste, infrastructure , and transportation). Applicants should hold strategic, decision-influencing, or system-shaping roles within their organisation.

Applicants could for example be:  

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, e.g., at innovation offices, research centres, or commercialisation units
Investors actively engaged in activities that support climate entrepreneurship and innovation *
Public sector professionals involved in initiatives that advance climate entrepreneurship and innovation at the level of national, regional or municipal government*.

In 2026, the application is open to seven programme countries. Applicants must be a citizen and resident of one of them: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia.

*We define climate entrepreneurship as the creation and development of innovative business solutions that address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing climate resilience, or enabling the transition to a sustainable, low‑carbon economy.

Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

Be a citizen and resident of one of the seven programme countries.

Work in an organisation that nurtures and grow 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

Interactive workshops run from May to July followed by project work and coaching support. In September, all participants gather for an immersive on-site week in Stockholm, to deepen the exchange and gain fresh perspectives from Sweden’s vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship scene. You should plan to dedicate around three to four hours per week to the programme. 

Online workshops, peer learning and master classes (May – July 2026) 
The online programme takes a highly practical approach, featuring interactive workshops, peer learning sessions, and high-quality master classes highlighting tools, cases and latest developments within the field of climate entrepreneurship and innovation.

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. The project is an opportunity to apply newfound knowledge, ideas, and inspiration gained through the programme. The goal of the change project is to develop real and measurable results that help participants learn by doing while launching or managing change initiatives that can continue after the programme ends.

Sweden week, on-site (26 September – 2 October 2026 )
In September, all participants will gather in Stockholm for an interactive and immersive on-site week. This week offers a unique opportunity to deepen the exchange with peers and engage directly with leading Swedish entrepreneurship experts and practitioners. The programme will include hands-on workshops, field visits to top innovation hubs, and explorations of Stockholm’s vibrant impact entrepreneurship ecosystem. Participation in Sweden week is exclusive to participants who have successfully completed the programme’s previous components.

Costs covered and arranged by the Swedish Institute

Participation in Impact Pioneers is free of charge. The Swedish Institute arranges and covers costs related to:

Learning programme
Your flights to and from Stockholm   
Your accommodation and meals in Stockholm during the on-site meeting in Sweden
Your insurance during the on-site meeting in Sweden   
All training materials online and on site

Want to know more? Register here for our upcoming info webinar on 3 March, 2026

How to apply

1. Apply - 17 Feb 2026 - 24 Mar 2026

These are the steps you need to go through to submit your application 

Register your profile in our application portal Dream Apply.
Select what programme you would like to apply for (Impact Pioneers ’26 MENA is available 17 February – 24 March 2026).
Answer all the questions for the different sections in the application portal (found in the left-hand menu). 
Upload your CV under the document section and a short pre-recorded video as per the instructions in the portal.
After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation to your inbox in Dream Apply.

2. Evaluation of applications - 25 Mar 2026 - 24 Apr 2026

The Swedish Institute appoints a selection committee consisting of senior experts. Each application is assessed independently by two members of the committee, based on the following criteria:

Candidate fit: The candidate’s qualifications, experience, and ambitions in relation to the objectives of the programme.

Organisational fit: The organisation’s relevance, qualifications, experience, and ambitions in relation to the objectives of the programme.

In the final stage, the overall composition of the selected group is taken into consideration. This means that, in addition to individual merits, the committee also considers diversity in terms of country representation, organisational and individual profiles, and gender balance.

Impact Pioneers ’26 MENA