In response to the business challenges associated with COVID-19, German NGO enpact and the TUI Care Foundation announced the launch of the first emergency aid programme for innovative tourism businesses in developing and emerging countries. 

A total of 150 teams of innovative, young Tourism businesses in Mexico, Kenya, Indonesia and Jordan will be supported with dedicated mentoring, business development support and financial backing of up to 9,000 euros each, according to a joint statement made available to The Jordan Times.

The COVID-19 Relief Programme for Tourism, part of the Empowering Entrepreneurship Initiative by enpact, is implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The project aims to provide a platform for young Jordanian businesses in tourism and tourism-related sectors to apply for COVID-19 relief funds to support them while they are dealing with the economic impact from the COVID-19 crisis.

The COVID-19-crisis presents businesses worldwide with unprecedented challenges, especially on young organisations. 

International tourism, in particular, has come to an almost complete standstill during the coronavirus crisis. This threatens the livelihoods of millions of people working in the sector.

The "Empowering Entrepreneurship Initiative” launched two programmes to support 330 founding teams across six countries in coping with the economic consequences of the crisis, according to the statement. 

A combination of mentoring, workshops, network building and financial support leads to the preservation and creation of jobs, the statement said. 

The first programme, which was open to businesses across all sectors in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia and Jordan, closed its applications on August 30. 

Through both programmes, a total of 30 promising Jordanian businesses will be supported in 2020 to continue to contribute to the economic upswing, and to preserve and create jobs in Jordan.

Since starting its activities in the Middle East in 2013, enpact implemented mentoring programmes for Jordanian entrepreneurs and conducted delegation trips for exploring the startup ecosystem, creating connections and exchanging knowledge between entrepreneurs in Amman and Berlin.

"Empowering entrepreneurs is at the core of enpact. With this initiative, we are able to go above and beyond for young, innovative Jordanian founders and support them in these challenging times — not only financially, but also with network, resources, and dedicated mentoring for each business.” said Rawan Bassam, project lead for Jordan in the statement.

Any tourism or tourism-related business in Jordan that had a functioning and promising business model before the COVID-19-crisis is eligible to apply. Applications are open until September 23.

Business owners can submit applications via: https://www.enpact.org/open-applications/covid-19-relief-programme-for-tourism/#/