More than 1,000 women founders have graduated till date under the Badiri Entrepreneurship Programme (BEP), gaining specialised skill sets in business and leadership, and helping transform their ideas into successful business projects.

The inclusive entrepreneurial programme, which commenced in 2015-16 under the Badiri Education and Development Academy (Badiri) - the education and capacity building arm of NAMA Women Advancement, supports the spirit of female entrepreneurs in the region and beyond with a hands-on practical approach to build their knowledge and business skills.

The graduation of the 2022 batch marks the conclusion of the international programme in its physical format, as BEP transitions to an exclusive digital module to stimulate the entrepreneurial mindsets of a greater number of young people from around the globe.

Under the digital platform, BEP will continue to empower aspiring and established female entrepreneurs with the tools and frameworks of a startup business.

BEP graduates have launched successful ventures in niche and specialised fields and are today inspiring more women further their entrepreneurial ambitions by maximising their potential with the right skill sets. Badiri Entrepreneurship Programme’s comprehensive and integrated educational course curriculum supports the professional development of the participants through a deep dive into skills required to build a strong foundation for a profitable and successful business and increase their sense of initiative and entrepreneurship to empower them on their entrepreneurial journeys.

Alongside group learning courses, the programme also features one-on-one mentorship, project visits, implementation workshops, and assessments to test applicability and scalability of business ideas.

The last BEP edition encompassed six learning modules, seven practical workshops, two field visits and several hours of individual mentorship sessions over a period of seven months.

Designed in partnership with local and international academic institutions, and specialised local entities, BEP will continue to boost economic opportunities for both men and women everywhere under the new digital platform. The digital course graduates will go on to launch pilot projects through the Sharjah Business Women Council, a NAMA affiliate, in a journey of mentorship that will offer them the right support to further their entrepreneurial ambitions.

BEP collaborates with global leaders in the field including the UK-based School for Social Entrepreneurship (SSE) and the National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) in Pakistan – to ensure that women in the UAE who aim to be entrepreneurs get the best mentors to guide them on their learning journey.