Launched in 2011 with the shared goal of capitalizing on the Kingdom’s wealth of innovative ideas from its creative youth population, Starbucks’ BADIR social entrepreneurship support program has proudly established an exemplary model of beneficial partnerships and their power to lead a movement of sustainable, social progress. Emboldened by strategic collaborations with community leaders, named Friends of BADIR, that gave participants of the program, Fellows of BADIR, unprecedented, multi-level support, BADIR was enabled to reach greater heights and to create numerous success stories. Some of these Friends have decided to discuss their journey with BADIR.

Joseph Field, Senior Program Manager at the British Council:

• What was the reason behind your decision to team up with BADIR, and how did you see it also helping you achieve your goals as an organization?

 From the beginning, BADIR seemed very innovative. As a program, it has a strong sustainability component, which helps ensure continued success and longevity. Some of the initiatives already supported by BADIR before we came were very appealing, and the focus of the program in general on youth engagement closely reflects one of the goals that we have at the British Council.

• The support given to BADIR Fellows provided them with the tools needed to really push their initiatives forward. What exactly did you offer to the Fellows, and how did it help them?

            We provided BADIR Fellows with professional English language training, which helped them locate additional resources for guidance, advocate for their projects, and communicate with the community and interested stakeholders in a business-like manner.

Tarek Hammad, Executive Director of Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organization:

• Tell us about the most memorable experience that you have had with BADIR, and how has it impacted your organization?

The most memorable experience that I had with BADIR was when we met the Al Qantara Center for Human Resource Development team in Ma’an. Our organization provided them with laptops, training programs, and accreditations, so as to assist them in their goal of helping youth in Ma’an gain the skills necessary to develop personally and professionally and find a job.

• Working hand-in-hand with BADIR over the years as a true partner, how did you see Starbucks’ vision for the program translated to real, tangible instances of change, and how will this continue to positively affect our community in the future?

            Starbuck’s vision has been practically and tangibly manifested multiple times in the local community and can be seen through a number of success stories, such as I Learn and Al Qantara Center for Human Resource Development, in addition to several others. These initiatives had an impact not only locally, but on the region as a whole. The strong support, hard work, and dedication shown by Starbucks to its BADIR Fellows exceeded all previously established levels of professionalism and quality. We at TAG-Org are certain that Starbucks will continue to successfully support and develop communities in the future, and we wish them the best of luck.

Kamel Al Asmar, Founder of Nakhweh:

• Regarding the young entrepreneurs you worked with, what was most needed by them to grow their projects, and how did BADIR provide them with this?

            Without a doubt, funding is the biggest obstacle to any aspiring social entrepreneur. However, recognizing this and many other challenges faced by startups, BADIR has helped the     Fellows overcome their issues directly and indirectly by providing financial support, exposure, and connections with people who are interested in the concerned social ventures.

• How did your support as a Friend, combined with that of the other Friends, give the participating Fellows a boost to not only expand their projects, but also sustain them for years to come?

By being a dedicated BADIR Friend, I have built up long-term mentorship relations with several Fellows and continue to help them on their journey to achieve their startup aspirations. As a prime example, Saddam Sayyaleh, founder of I Learn, engages with me on all levels when it comes to implementing his work and growing his initiative.