Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 Swedish Institute Impact Pioneers MENA initiative. Impact Pioneers serves as an international community designed for leaders within entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems who are eager to strengthen and expand local enterprise development. The initiative functions as both a leadership development journey and a collaborative platform, connecting purpose-driven professionals to explore innovative pathways and accelerate meaningful impact.

The 2026 MENA cohort will convene 80 leaders and specialists dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and innovation as drivers of solutions to global climate challenges. Participants will engage in a blended format that combines virtual engagement with an in-person experience in Sweden, creating space for shared learning and collective action. The programme spans approximately 12 weeks, including an intensive one-week residency in Sweden.

Throughout the duration of the programme, participants gain exposure to cutting-edge perspectives from leading entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, offering case-based learning, exchange of ideas, actionable tools, and proven frameworks that strengthen collective impact. The structure includes interactive online workshops, peer networking sessions, hands-on assignments, and coaching support facilitated by experienced practitioners and field experts.

The 2026 edition offers participants meaningful collaboration with a regional network of peers, encouraging lasting professional relationships. It provides fresh insight into climate-focused entrepreneurship and innovation through practical examples and strategic tools. Participants also experience Sweden’s dynamic innovation landscape firsthand in Stockholm, widely recognized as a leading hub for impact-driven entrepreneurship. In addition, they have the opportunity to establish long-term connections with Swedish foreign missions, entrepreneurs, and relevant institutions.

The call is open to professionals and ecosystem leaders working within organizations or networks that support climate entrepreneurship and innovation, including sectors such as water management, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, circular economy initiatives, waste management, infrastructure, and transportation. Applicants are expected to occupy roles that influence strategy, decision-making, or system-level change within their institutions. Suitable candidates may include leaders of startup hubs, incubators, and accelerators; managers of technology and innovation centers; representatives of business support networks; university-based ecosystem builders bridging research and commercialization; investors actively supporting climate innovation; and public sector professionals engaged in advancing climate entrepreneurship at national, regional, or municipal levels.

For the 2026 cycle, eligibility is limited to citizens and residents of seven designated countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. Applicants must be citizens and current residents of one of these countries, be employed within an organization that actively fosters climate-focused entrepreneurship and innovation, demonstrate strong proficiency in written and spoken English, and commit to active participation, knowledge-sharing, and peer support throughout the programme. They should also identify a clear challenge or opportunity that can be developed during the programme to strengthen their organization’s contribution to the local climate innovation ecosystem.

The programme begins with interactive virtual workshops held between May and July 2026, followed by continued project development and coaching support. Participants are expected to dedicate approximately three to four hours each week. The online component emphasizes applied learning through collaborative workshops, peer exchange sessions, and expert-led masterclasses that showcase practical tools, real-world cases, and emerging trends in climate entrepreneurship and innovation.

Each participant develops a change initiative linked to their professional role or organizational priorities. This initiative enables them to apply newly acquired knowledge and insights in a practical setting. The objective is to generate measurable outcomes while strengthening leadership capabilities and embedding sustainable change that extends beyond the programme’s completion.

From 26 September to 2 October 2026, participants who successfully complete the online phase gather in Stockholm for an immersive on-site experience. This residency deepens peer collaboration and facilitates direct engagement with Swedish innovation leaders and practitioners. Activities include interactive workshops, study visits to leading innovation hubs, and exploration of Stockholm’s thriving impact-driven entrepreneurship ecosystem. Participation in the Sweden residency is reserved for individuals who have fulfilled the requirements of the earlier programme stages.

There is no participation fee. The Swedish Institute covers and organizes all major expenses related to the initiative, including the full learning programme, round-trip flights to Stockholm, accommodation and meals during the on-site week, insurance coverage for the duration of the stay in Sweden, and all required learning materials provided both virtually and in person.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity