Lebanese social entrepreneur Omar Itani has been named one of 21 recipients of the Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators of the Year Award by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. The co-founder of FabricAID, a social enterprise dedicated to sustainable and affordable clothing, received the honor at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Championing a Dignified Circular Economy
FabricAID was founded with the mission to “eradicate symptoms of poverty” by creating a circular economy for clothing. The enterprise operates a network of collection bins across Lebanon and Jordan where people can donate secondhand garments. These items are then sorted, cleaned, and sold in stores located in marginalized communities.
Items that are not suitable for resale are repurposed for other uses, such as corporate merchandise, ensuring a minimal waste model. With prices ranging from just $0.25 to $4, Itani emphasized that the goal is to provide a “dignified shopping experience” for those in need. Since its launch, FabricAID has sold over one million items and served 200,000 beneficiaries, with plans for expansion into the Egyptian market.
Turning Regional Challenges into Opportunities
Speaking from the World Economic Forum, Itani shared his perspective on entrepreneurship in the region, advising young founders to reframe challenges as viable business opportunities.
“In Lebanon and the Arab world, we complain a lot,” he said, acknowledging the numerous issues that lead to frustration. However, he added that “a good portion of the challenges” facing the Middle East are also “great economic and commercial opportunities.”
Global Recognition Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainty
The Schwab Foundation award provides recipients with a three-year engagement program, connecting them with international peers and offering capacity-building support to scale their work. The recognition comes at a critical time, as a recent foundation report noted that while social innovators raised a combined $970 million in funding, 82 percent report being affected by shrinking resources.
Francois Bonnici, Director of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, highlighted the importance of this work. “The next decade must move the models of social innovation decisively from the margins to the mainstream, transforming not only markets but mindsets.”
About FabricAID
FabricAID is a Lebanese social enterprise that collects, sorts, and redistributes new and gently used clothes to underprivileged communities at micro-prices, ranging from $0.25 to $4. By establishing a circular economy for fashion, FabricAID aims to deliver affordable clothing through a dignified shopping experience while reducing fabric waste.
Source: Arab News
