Twig is a job market platform that connects refugees with employment opportunities. Eighty-four per cent of Syrian refugees in Jordan live below the poverty line. Although there are labour market opportunities in the agricultural sector, there is limited access to information about available work and no established network for Syrians. Twig seeks to link farmers, architects and landscaping and agricultural engineers via a digital platform to homeowners seeking services using a subscription-based model. Fifteen per cent of income generated goes back into the project.
Having fled Syria, engineer Mohammed Al-homsi soon realised that finding work in Jordan was going to be a problem. Outside of their communities, refugees like himself have limited access to information about work opportunities and no established professional reputation.
His project ‘Twig’ is a job market platform that connects refugees with employment opportunities. Eighty four per cent of Syrian refugees in Jordan live below the poverty line. Although there are labour market opportunities in the agricultural sector, there is limited access to information about available work, and few local connections to customers.
Twig seeks to link farmers, architects and landscaping and agricultural engineers via a digital platform to home owners seeking services using a subscription-based model. Fifteen per cent of income generated goes back into the project. ‘In many cases, when refugees can find work, they cannot complete the deal because customers do not know them and there is a lack of trust,” Mohammed explains.
Twig will also help with integrating refugees into their new society. At present, Twig offers products, accessories and services to home owners via their website https://www.twigjo.com/services. Mohammed’s team have professional backgrounds in agricultural engineering, business management, and digital marketing. They are developing a smartphone app for homeowners and hope to use ‘gamification’ - an online marketing technique to encourage engagement with their products and services. They are seeking an investment of GBP 155k over three years to scale up their ideas and build the technology.
More Information About The Innovation
Problem: Syrian refugees unable to secure work due to a lack of established connections. Homeowners seeking a dedicated gardening service.
Solution: Digital platform connecting farmers, architects and landscaping and agricultural engineers to customers.
Current status: Website www.twigjo.com offers products, accessories and services to home owners.
The project is supported by the IRC and has one employee.
Proposition: Seeking an investment of GBP 155k over three years to scale up the concept and to build the technology. Brand awareness and positioning - GBP 10K Marketing - GBP 50k Build technology - GBP 35K Development of new products - GBP 10K Educate customers on the technology and new products and generate demand - GBP 10K Operation and administrative expenses - GBP 40K Partnerships with international delivery companies to help with distribution channels outside of Jordan for products.
Prospects: Business projection for 2019 is 300 services and 2,000 products
Founders: Team skills include agricultural engineering, landscaping, business management, marketing, digital marketing and customer service.
Customer feedback: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iYJPy- G8qbKc75Yq63EbQ4Hj37PEHNkVNNyJwZ7fzik/edit
Contacts: Email: mohammed.alhoumsi@twigjo.com Website: www.twigjo.com
Read more about other innovations from the DEPP Innovation Labs.