Once the spark of inspiration is lit, we help changemakers turn that motivation into a clear, actionable idea with purpose and impact.

At MENA-can, Ideation is where energy becomes a plan. It’s the heart of social entrepreneurship: translating passion into practical, community-rooted solutions that tackle real problems and move us closer to achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this phase, we guide individuals and groups to dig deeper: What problem do they really want to tackle? Why does it matter? Who is affected, and how can they create real value for their community?

We use proven tools like design thinking, problem tree analysis, and co-creation workshops to break big challenges into achievable steps. Participants learn to map what they have, spot what they need, and test assumptions early, turning rough ideas into strong, locally grounded concepts.

Equally important, we create safe, collaborative spaces where no idea is too small or too bold to be shared. People learn to listen to each other, challenge each other, and build on each other’s strengths.

By the end of this phase, that early spark has turned into a clear concept — a strong, community-rooted idea ready to be tested, shaped, and brought to life in the next stage: Incubation.