Marrakesh, Morocco - 12th May 2015: The OCP training center in Marrakech hosted the first Mowgli Jam on April 25th, organised with Mowgli Foundation in partnership with the Association des Hors cadres de l'OCP (ACO) et OCP Entrepreneurship Network. The Mowgli Jam is a learning and networking event aimed at supporting mentors and entrepreneurs from OCP's site who are participating in a 1 year mentoring program. The Jam is a mid-term activity organized to connect the current pairs and wider Mowgli alumni and showcase success stories that the pairs are having thanks to their relationships. 14 mentors who are members of ACO and 14 entrepreneurs from Khouribga, Gantour and Safi are participating in this pilot project.

The Mowgli Foundation seeks to support the sustainable development of societies through the mentoring and evolution of entrepreneurs and leaders. This is achieved through the provision of unique and unparalleled mentoring and leadership development programs. Mowgli's unique programs enable mentors to learn and develop mentoring capabilities, offer their practical support and share their expertise to help entrepreneurs grow as leaders and expand their businesses, thereby creating new jobs and economic growth.

Kathleen Bury, Mowgli CEO, commented: "We are extremely proud to host our first Jam in Morocco with OCPEN/ACO to celebrate the success of the project so far and share the success of our entrepreneurs and mentors with the wider business community. We're looking forward to seeing the project evolve over the coming months and hope to continue a successful relationship with OCPEN/ACO supporting entrepreneurship and mentoring in the Morocco".

Outmane El Hassani, OCP Entrepreneurship Network acting director, added: "What stands out for me through this jam is the interest towards mentoring shared amongst entrepreneurs from the region, in particular OCP's regions. This is confirmation for us in putting mentoring forward in our strategies and actions through OCP Entrepreneurship Network for 2015 and beyond. What stands out as well is the importance of demystifying failure, I met entrepreneurs who failed and retried again, it is proof that the entrepreneur's perseverance always leads to results and therefore, patience is key while facing challenges. It was a convivial afternoon filled with generosity from mentors, entrepreneurs and other representatives of the ecosystem who were present with us."

About OCP Foundation:
OCP Foundation was created in order to better press ahead with the social and societal commitment of OCP Group. Its main purpose is to identify and implement human development-related initiatives. Therefore, OCP Foundation adopts a global and participative approach, establishing the foundations of a citizen-oriented action for an economic and social development of Morocco and of many Southern countries, within the framework of the South-South cooperation. Its scope of action includes the promotion of "Education for All", Poverty reduction; Socio-economic development; Access to health; Socio-cultural action and preservation of the national heritage; Enhancement of the youth employability; Promotion and activation of entrepreneurship; Training, raising the awareness and broadcasting best practices; and the support for food security programs.

Along with its two programs of Agricultural Development and the Social actions & Youth Support, OCP Foundation supports the think tank, OCP Policy Center as well as OCP Entrepreneurship Network, a unit dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, OCP Foundation also carries out external units whose activities join its missions, such as the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Benguerir), the MAScIR Foundation, the Phosphates R&D Fund, and the Excellency High School of Benguerir. For more information: www.ocpfoundation.org  

About Mowgli
The Mowgli Foundation is an award winning, UK-headquartered mentoring organisation, established in 2008, which has been pioneering and specializing in entrepreneurial mentoring and embedding leadership development through the philosophy of mentoring within MENA's governments, corporates, entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Mowgli provides mentoring that inspires, connects and guides entrepreneurs and leaders to overcome life's personal and business challenges through:

  • Interactive, experiential and transformational 'Kickstart' workshops

  • A unique environment for accelerated relationship building, mentor training and matching

  • Engagement within a learning and mentoring focused global alumni network

Mowgli has an alumni with over 1550 members and has matched over 750 entrepreneurs with trained mentors in 12 countries; Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen and the UK. In December 2012, Mowgli was recognised with the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders Award for the 'Best Mentor Network in the Arab Region'. More information is available on Mowgli's website: www.mowgli.org.uk

For media inquiries:
Dubai: Kathleen Bury
Email: kathleen.bury@mowgli.org.uk

© Press Release 2015