Daman for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is a Palestinian non-profit organization specialized in credit guarantee programs and registered in Ramallah under Palestinian law. The company was established as a partnership between the Arab Center for Agricultural Development (ACAD), the Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association (ASALA), and Solidarité Internationale pour le Développement et l’Investissement (SIDI) – France, while New Vision Consulting serves as the organization’s administrative arm.
Daman was established with the goal of strengthening access to finance and supporting the sustainable growth of Palestinian entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises. The organization enables financial institutions to provide financing and credit responsibly and confidently, particularly to entrepreneurs and sectors that often face barriers to accessing financial services or are classified as higher-risk groups.
Through credit guarantees and risk-sharing mechanisms, Daman expands financing opportunities that contribute to business growth, job creation, and local economic development.
Amid ongoing political and economic challenges in Palestine, Daman plays a key role in supporting business continuity and strengthening the resilience of enterprises. The organization focuses on empowering the most vulnerable and underserved groups, including women, youth, and owners of small and micro-enterprises, especially in areas affected by political and economic constraints across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Daman also develops and expands risk-sharing programs and political risk coverage mechanisms aimed at reducing the financial burden on entrepreneurs operating under exceptional circumstances. Through strong partnerships with financial institutions and relevant stakeholders, Daman seeks to position finance as an effective tool for economic inclusion, social protection, stability, and sustainable development, contributing to a more equitable and resilient Palestinian economy.
The concept note for DAMAN ( Download File )
Driven by its Mission:
DAMAN for SMEs strengthens financial inclusion and economic resilience in Palestine by providing credit guarantee programs and risk-sharing solutions to financial partners, enabling them to extend financing with confidence to underserved entrepreneurs and high-risk sectors.
Through this approach, DAMAN seeks to empower vulnerable communities and enhance their ability to sustain and grow in challenging economic environments.
Our work is guided by a strong set of institutional values, including credibility, social impact, resilience, inclusiveness, and integrity. These values shape our interventions, strengthen our relationships with partners, donors, and beneficiaries, and reinforce our role as a development institution committed to creating sustainable impact within the Palestinian economy.
Daman strives to strengthen economic empowerment for underserved and vulnerable groups, support sustainable development, and contribute to building a more equitable and stable society capable of overcoming political and economic challenges.
We also aim to encourage investment in areas most affected by the occupation by supporting income-generating small and micro-enterprises, improving the living conditions of low-income families, creating employment opportunities, and promoting self-employment, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
In addition, we seek to reduce the impact of political risks affecting our target groups and strengthen their ability to sustain, grow, and achieve long-term economic and social stability.
Daman serves women and men entrepreneurs, including farmers, productive individuals, and small business owners across different economic sectors throughout the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank.
The organization places particular emphasis on supporting the development of small enterprises, micro-businesses, handicrafts, productive professions, and service-based activities that demonstrate the potential to generate sustainable income and profitability, enabling beneficiaries to meet their financial obligations while ensuring business continuity.
The guarantee program covers loans of up to USD 10,000 per loan, with a maximum outstanding balance coverage of USD 8,000 per loan. Coverage applies only to the outstanding loan balance and does not include interest or related fees.
