The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) is bolstering social entrepreneurship in Qatar with a new funding agreement with the Ministry of Social Development and Family. The partnership will support the Social Development Centre “NAMA” and its “National Social Entrepreneurship Award” program, marking DAAM’s first contribution to the award’s second edition. This initiative aims to cultivate a robust ecosystem for ventures addressing local social needs.
The agreement, signed in Doha, provides financial support for the award program’s initiatives, focusing on three categories: Best Existing Social Enterprise Project, Best Social Enterprise Project Idea, and a new category designed for secondary school students, the Best School Social Enterprise Project. Winners are slated to be announced in December 2025 alongside the Social Entrepreneurship Forum.
Boosting Qatar’s Social Entrepreneurship Landscape
Qatar has demonstrably increased its focus on supporting projects with a positive societal impact. This commitment aligns with the nation’s broader Qatar National Vision 2030, emphasizing sustainable development and human capital. The collaborative effort between DAAM and NAMA represents a significant step in fostering innovation aimed at solving local challenges.
DAAM was established to contribute financially to social and sports activities, channeling funds from specific levies to projects that benefit the Qatari community. The organization aims to support initiatives that align with Qatar’s development goals, particularly regarding social welfare and youth empowerment.
Expanding the Award’s Reach
The introduction of the Best School Social Enterprise Project category is a noteworthy expansion of the award’s scope. This new track intends to nurture innovation and a sense of civic responsibility among secondary school students. By encouraging young entrepreneurs to develop community-focused solutions, the program seeks to create a pipeline of future social leaders.
NAMA, operating under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, plays a crucial role in developing and supporting social enterprises across the country. The organization provides training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. This latest funding allows NAMA to significantly broaden its impact.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family noted the importance of empowering citizens to take an active role in addressing social issues. Supporting sustainable solutions—a key focus of the award—is seen as a critical component of building a more resilient and inclusive society.
Impact and Potential Benefits
Experts suggest impact investing and social entrepreneurship can address gaps in traditional services, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. The National Social Entrepreneurship Award is designed to identify and accelerate promising ventures within these areas.
The award isn’t solely about financial reward; recognition and networking opportunities are also considered vital incentives. Past winners have leveraged the program’s visibility to attract further funding and establish partnerships.
However, there are inherent challenges in supporting early-stage social enterprises, including limited access to funding, a lack of specialized expertise, and difficulties in measuring social impact. DAAM’s funding, coupled with NAMA’s support network, aims to mitigate these obstacles.
The program’s success will likely depend on its ability to attract a diverse range of applicants and provide tailored support to meet their specific needs. The Ministry has indicated a commitment to ongoing evaluation and refinement of the award criteria and implementation process.
The next key date is the anticipated opening of applications for the 2025 National Social Entrepreneurship Award, though a specific timeline has not yet been released. Stakeholders will be watching to see the number and quality of submissions, particularly within the new school-focused category, and the long-term impact of the funded projects on Qatar’s social fabric.
Further details about the application process and eligibility criteria will be available on the NAMA website: https://nama.org.qa/
