emirates7 - The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) has unveiled the selected participants for the 2025 edition of its "Scale" track. Thirteen publishing houses have been chosen from a competitive pool of 62 applicants, all of whom met the programme’s stringent selection criteria. These criteria included a demonstrated history of publishing culturally rich and diverse content, along with a solid commitment to sustainable growth and business expansion.
The selected publishers will embark on an intensive four-week programme beginning in May.
This year’s cohort highlights impressive diversity, with women representing 60% of participants and men 40%. Emirati publishers comprise the largest segment at 40%, followed by participants from Egypt and Syria at 13% each. Additional representation comes from Australia (6%), and from Eritrea, Jordan, Canada, and Lebanon, each accounting for 7% of the group.
The participating publishing houses include: Ajyal, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, Kalaman for Distribution and Publishing, Ghaf Publications, Nabati Publishing, Dar Al Bayan Al Arabi, Dar Al Furat Publishing, Dar Al Fikr Al Jadeed, Shams Publishing, The Dream Work Collective, Shaheen Printing, Publishing and Distribution, Loaloa Publishing and Distribution, and Al Noor Publishing.
The Scale track offers a dynamic, hands-on learning experience designed to provide publishers with actionable strategies and tools for expanding their reach both locally and globally.
The programme curriculum features targeted training in areas such as business model innovation, digital marketing, data management, and leveraging new technologies to boost audience engagement.
Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities with leading international publishers and industry experts, aimed at helping them strengthen their global footprint and develop robust publishing brands.
The selection process was overseen by a prestigious panel of cultural and publishing figures, including Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority.
The selected publishers will embark on an intensive four-week programme beginning in May.
This year’s cohort highlights impressive diversity, with women representing 60% of participants and men 40%. Emirati publishers comprise the largest segment at 40%, followed by participants from Egypt and Syria at 13% each. Additional representation comes from Australia (6%), and from Eritrea, Jordan, Canada, and Lebanon, each accounting for 7% of the group.
The participating publishing houses include: Ajyal, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, Kalaman for Distribution and Publishing, Ghaf Publications, Nabati Publishing, Dar Al Bayan Al Arabi, Dar Al Furat Publishing, Dar Al Fikr Al Jadeed, Shams Publishing, The Dream Work Collective, Shaheen Printing, Publishing and Distribution, Loaloa Publishing and Distribution, and Al Noor Publishing.
The Scale track offers a dynamic, hands-on learning experience designed to provide publishers with actionable strategies and tools for expanding their reach both locally and globally.
The programme curriculum features targeted training in areas such as business model innovation, digital marketing, data management, and leveraging new technologies to boost audience engagement.
Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities with leading international publishers and industry experts, aimed at helping them strengthen their global footprint and develop robust publishing brands.
The selection process was overseen by a prestigious panel of cultural and publishing figures, including Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority.