Despite the challenges of operating in a region affected by armed conflicts, Kathya remains hopeful about the future, drawing inspiration from the entrepreneurial spirit of youth in the region.
“The youth are really a source of inspiration for all of us in the region because it doesn't matter their ideological orientation, they are entrepreneurial by nature,” she shared. “They are redefining and reinventing the spirit and innovation... [T]hey would come up with free markets, innovative solutions to their local development issues. And the way they do it is so exceptional that whenever we get them on stage and we get them to present their projects, we just tell them, ‘You are free-marketers, without ever knowing that, without ever realizing that.’”
This spirit of innovation is what the Free Market Policy Bootcamp aims to harness, creating what Kathya describes as “a launchpad for a new generation of thinkers, entrepreneurs, and reformers who believe in the power of markets, the dignity of work, and the right of individuals to shape their economic future.”
The Arab Center for Research has identified a strategic opportunity to capitalize on shifting regional political economies, with Gulf countries increasingly investing in entrepreneurship and market liberalization while more fragile economies in the Middle East-North Africa region need homegrown solutions. Their bootcamp will serve as a launchpad for a new generation of thinkers, entrepreneurs, and reformers who believe in the power of markets, the dignity of work, and the right of individuals to shape their economic future.
Atlas Network's Coach, Compete, Celebrate! model is on full display at each of our four Regional Liberty Forums, through the Smart Bets semi-final pitch competition. In this event, three pre-selected Atlas Network partner organizations take the stage to pitch a panel of judges on why they should be a part of the next Smart Bets cohort gaining access to unique opportunities to accelerate their work and the winner of a $40,000 grant and an additional $25,000 matching grant.
Winners also have the opportunity to pitch on stage at Atlas Network's Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner in New York City for the chance to win an additional $50,000 prize.
Visit AtlasNetwork.org/Events to find out more about events in your region.