Martine Zaarour & Jar Thuraya

Martine Zaarour is an architect and social entrepreneur dedicated to design innovation, sustainability, and women's empowerment. She is the founder of Jar Thuraya, a women-led social enterprise in Lebanon that preserves the country’s culinary heritage while empowering rural women through sustainable food production. Jar Thuraya creates handcrafted, plant-based preserves inspired by traditional Lebanese recipes, using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from villages across the country.

With the support of our Giving Joy grant, Martine will lead a targeted initiative to strengthen the skills and income-generating potential of 11 women—nine full-time cooperative members and two Syrian refugee women working part-time. The grant will fund a specialized workshop on product innovation and research and development (R&D), led by expert trainers. Participants will explore new recipe development, food preservation techniques, and sustainable, plastic-free packaging options, all while maintaining the authenticity of Lebanese culinary traditions. The training will also cover food safety, hygiene, labeling, and regulatory compliance to help the women meet market standards and expand their reach.

This initiative will not only strengthen the women economically but also positively impact around 55 family members, while contributing to a robust local economy and the preservation of Lebanon’s cultural and culinary heritage.