On Tuesday, the 26th of September join Alfanar’s Executive Director Myrna Atalla for an interactive discussion, in partnership with The Conduit. During this event, we will not only shed light on lessons learned over 20 years of venture philanthropy work across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), but also touch on the exciting trends and opportunities. The event will also highlight the role of impact investing that is increasingly available to social investors seeking to drive lasting impact.

As the Arab region’s first venture philanthropy organisation, Alfanar works to tackle market failures that have historically trapped vulnerable communities in poverty. Alfanar identifies, finances, trains, mentors, and supports the growth of ambitious social enterprises innovating lasting solutions to these issues.

What began as a bold experiment in Egypt in 2004, Alfanar has since grown into a vibrant change agent also serving social enterprises in Lebanon, Jordan, and recently Palestine. Social enterprises that receive Alfanar’s support are able to increase their impact on disadvantaged communities in the region by 39%–namely children, youth, women & widows, and refugees–over the course of investment. Additionally, 52% of the Alfanar portfolio is at break-even or growing their impact in line with self-generated revenue.

Recognising the financing gap faced by so many social enterprises in the MENA region, Alfanar is embarking on its next challenge, to support the launch of the first MENA focused impact investment vehicle. Do not miss this unique opportunity to engage with, learn from, and ask difficult question to Ms. Atalla as she delves into the fundamentals of venture philanthropy, the power of social enterprise in the face of crisis, and the promise impact investing carries for the MENA region. Light bites and drinks from London’s own Iraqi JUMA Kitchen will be served.

Speaker:

Myrna Atalla is the dynamic Executive Director of Alfanar. She has overseen the growth and expansion of the organisation since 2010, enabling the delivery of over £10 million in grants, zero-interest loans, as well as Alfanar’s first equity investment, coupled with management support to social enterprises. Atalla is passionate about uncovering the most effective strategies, mechanisms, tools and approaches to driving lasting change for the Arab region. She also very much enjoys sharing lessons learned, exchanging ideas and building up the rich and diverse community of supporters helping Alfanar innovate and drive impact moving forward. Atalla holds a BA in International Relations from Brown University and a dual degree Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University and the London School of Economics (LSE).

To learn further about Alfanar, visit www.alfanar.org. We invite you to watch the videos below. To hear Myrna Atalla discuss Alfanar’s track record and future plans, listen to Investing for Impact on The Impact Room Podcast. To hear Myrna Atalla discuss Alfanar’s track record and future plans, listen to Investing for Impact on The Impact Room Podcast.

About Alfanar: 

Attendance is restricted to Conduit members

Share This Event

Upcoming Events