Specialists in Economic Inclusion, Startup & MSME Growth and Human Capital Development
We partner with governments, development organizations, and the private sector to design and deliver programs that create lasting economic opportunity across the MENA region.
Reference is a boutique advisory & consulting firm based in Amman, Jordan, specializing in economic inclusion, startup & MSME growth and human capital development across the MENA region. We work at the intersection of policy, practice, and program design, partnering with governments, international development organizations, corporations, and NGOs to build initiatives that create lasting economic opportunity for people.
Founded in 2022 and rooted in over two decades of hands-on regional experience, Reference brings a rare combination of practitioner insight and strategic depth. We are not a generalist consultancy. Our entire practice is focused on one domain: designing and implementing programs that connect people to economic opportunity through employment, entrepreneurship, and social enterprise.
Understand
We begin with deep contextual research mapping the landscape, stakeholders, and systemic barriers before any design begins.
Design
We co-create solutions with partners and beneficiaries, grounding every intervention in evidence and local realities.
Implement
We manage delivery with rigour coordinating partners, tracking progress, and adapting in real time.
Learn
We close every engagement with structured learning capturing what worked, what didn't, and what comes next.
Senior-Led Delivery
Every engagement is led by senior consultants with direct field experience. We do not delegate to junior staff.
Regional Depth
We have worked across Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, Libya, and beyond with a genuine understanding of MENA's diversity.
Integrated Expertise
Our team combines policy, private sector, and development expertise enabling us to bridge worlds that rarely speak to each other.
Boutique by Design
We are deliberately small. That means faster decisions, tighter quality control, and a genuine partnership with every client.
International Development Organizations
Government Ministries & Public Agencies
Corporations & Private Sector Partners
NGOs & Civil Society Organizations
Ready to build something that lasts?
Whether you have a defined brief or an early-stage idea, we would welcome the conversation.