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Story
25 January 2023
Secretary-General appoints Ms. Sheri Ritsema-Anderson of the United States of America as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan
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Speech
24 January 2023
UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Dominik Bartsch remarks: Post "Transforming Education Summit" Conference
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Press Release
24 January 2023
Ministry of Education and UN Jordan observe the Intl. Day of Education in a one-day conference
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Jordan
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Jordan:
Story
05 April 2022
Meet 4 women and girls on the forefront of climate action in Jordan
Women and girls are impacted by climate change. But they are also at the forefront of tackling this impact in their communities. Meet four women and girls from Jordan, who lead the fight against climate change in different ways.
Awareness
Layan Al Bairouti: “…raising awareness is key to protecting the environment..”
“I believe that raising awareness is key to protecting the environment, that’s why the idea of creating this video occurred to me,” said Layan Al Bairouti, a Palestine refugee student at the UNRWA Baqa’a Preparatory Girls’ School in Jordan.
Layan entered her environmental awareness video to the UNICEF Environmental Project under the theme “reducing plastic”. Representing her school, Layan’s video ranked first out of 300 submissions in the Middle East and North Africa region.
“I decided to create the animation video because I wanted to address my peers in a different way and inspire them to be, like me, interested in protecting the environment,” said Layan.
Her short, animated video included her fellow eighth graders and enabled them to share their voices and deliver the important message of climate action for a better environment. The video showcased some environmentally friendly best practices, such as reducing the use of single use plastic and recycling. In her video, Layan also encourages community action to reduce pollution, which harms both animals and environment. “I feel sad when I see on the TV and on the internet the negative impact of plastic waste on our planet’s wildlife.” Layan added, “We can change that. We need to save our planet. It’s our responsibility.”
Read Layan’s full story as originally published on UN Jordan website
Agriculture
Aida Salameh: “I hope to build a more sustainable life for our families and community”
Aida Salameh Khalil Al-Rawajfeh, 49, joined the UN Women’s Oasis Centre in Tafilah, southern Jordan, as an agriculture trainer to be able to provide for her family. As an experienced and passionate farmer, she provides lectures and trainings on agriculture to women in her community, encouraging them to start their own businesses.
“Agriculture has always been my passion. My grades were not high enough for me to enroll in a bachelor's program, but this did not stop me from obtaining my diploma in vegetable production. I had a few months of experience as a vocational trainer in schools, but it was not permanent. I wanted to continue my higher education, and my husband was supportive, but it was not possible as we could not afford it.
I stayed home for many years taking care of my family until I learned about the work opportunities at the Oasis Centre through a WhatsApp group for women in Tafilah. My strong interest in agriculture and knowing that the Oasis Centre is a safe space for women and girls encouraged me to apply.
I also own a greenhouse and thought it would be good to share my knowledge with other women in the community. At the Oasis, I train fellow women on the basics of agriculture, as well as planting and plowing. The training also includes the benefits of greenhouse, utilizing different tools and equipment, how to plant crops and use fertilizers to maximize productivity, so women can start applying their skills in their own farm work. I also teach them about poly-agriculture, a sustainable way to grow different types of produce on the same piece of land which improves the property of soil by stabilizing nitrogen.” Said Aida.
Read Aida’s full story as originally published on UN Women website
Energy
Basma Al-Shatti : “…the local community in rural areas are the most affected by climate change…”
Women in Jordan have a significant role in the sustainable energy sector but are limited at the same time as these sectors are mainly occupied by men, hence limiting the role of women in governance and technical roles, as well as their participation in developing gender responsive policies. As the most impacted, women are also a critical part of the solution, and women in Jordan are leading the efforts against climate change through adaptation, mitigation, and evidence-based response. On the fifth floor in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in the capital of Jordan, Amman sets Basma Al-Shatti as the head of the Corporate Social Responsibilities Division in the Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF). As an engineer, Basma never thought that she will be leading such a vital position in the Ministry.
From Deir Alla Near Eastern town in Balqa Governorate, Basma started her journey to leading climate action in the energy sector at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Basma is a mother of two girls, she obtained a scholarship to study engineering at the University of Jordan. “Back then it was crucial for me to work hard and get a scholarship to obtain my bachelor’s degree. my passion to work in mechanics, production, and energy was a future path for me that I wanted to achieve that”, Basma said.
Basma leads an important division in the Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund which serves as a connection point between the community and the fund. The fund leads national efforts to optimize and utilize energy consumption by providing the necessary funding to advance and implement sustainable solutions to enhance energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy in coordination with local and international institutions and stakeholders.
Basma manages and oversees the projects that are implemented under the fund, with her background experience in managing projects and the energy sector her role was a crucial one in the ministry. The energy sector is one of the main contributors to climate change globally, and the main source of emissions in Jordan, where it contributes to over 76% of total national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2016 “the local community in rural areas are the most affected by climate change, and through the division, we look at opportunities where we can minimize the energy consumption in these areas through installing solar panels”, Basma added.
“I want people to look at me as a qualified engineer in the energy sector, who is an expert in the field, and not criticize or observe me as a woman”, Basma said. As the head of the division in the ministry, she runs two main projects in Amman, one of them being with the healthcare sector. The Covid-19 pandemic has imposed several obstacles to the healthcare system and energy consumption plays a major role in these institutions and the services they provide. The Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF). has provided these institutions with sustainable measures for cooling and heating such as photovoltaic systems which transform solar energy into renewable electricity.
Read Basma’s full story as originally published on UNDP website
Water conservation
Samahir: “Everyone should cooperate to save water”
For Syrian refugee Samahir, everyone should cooperate to save water.
Samahir, who lives in Zaatari Camp, uses a plastic basin to save water for planting.
“Any water you save is good. Greywater does not harm plants; it is harmless. As long as water is clean, it can’t do any damage. A small amount of water can do wonders. Samahir’s garden is full of green and plants. Saving water is for the climate change and the harsh conditions here in the camp,” said Samahir.
Watch a video story of Samahir as originally published on UNHCR YouTube channel.
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Press Release
20 June 2021
On World Refugee Day, Jordan continues to be the second host country of refugees per capita in the world
Jordan continues to be the second host country of refugees per capita in the world, according to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Currently home to over 750,000 refugees, Jordan has time and again opened its doors to those forced to flee. Today, more than 10 years into the Syria crisis, the vast majority of Jordanians - 94 percent - still say they are sympathetic towards refugees.
This positive attitude towards including refugees in Jordanian society has also extended to the health sector. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, refugees in Jordan have been included in the national response and, more recently, have been able to receive the vaccine free of charge. 40 percent of eligible refugees living in refugee camps in Jordan have now received at least their first dose of the vaccine.
Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on health care, schools and our communities, severely impacting refugees and their Jordanian hosts, and pushing more families into poverty. This means refugees are increasingly resorting to moving to lower-quality shelters, skipping rent, accumulating debt or reducing food expenditure. In addressing these challenges and building back better, UNHCR is committed to supporting both refugee and Jordanian communities.
“Our assistance to refugees must be part of the broader recovery efforts to help all those affected by the economic impact of the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe." said Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR Jordan Representative. "UNHCR is dedicated to work with the Jordanian Government to ensure that the needs of vulnerable refugees and Jordanians are met,” Bartsch added. In recognition of the skills refugees have to offer, on World Refugee Day, UNHCR is launching a Nursing and Health Care Lab in partnership with Luminus Technical University College (LTUC), which will benefit both refugee and Jordanian students. Using the latest medical equipment, machines and amenities for Pediatrics, Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecology, the lab simulates the environment of a hospital providing vocational training to ensure students’ smooth transition to the labor market.
Additionally, through a collaboration with the UN Chamber Music Society and in a performance led by Jordanian singer, Leen Alfaqih, and accompanied by a refugee choir, UNHCR Jordan is using the power of music to highlight that ‘Together, we can achieve anything. Together we can heal, learn and shine.’
This positive attitude towards including refugees in Jordanian society has also extended to the health sector. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, refugees in Jordan have been included in the national response and, more recently, have been able to receive the vaccine free of charge. 40 percent of eligible refugees living in refugee camps in Jordan have now received at least their first dose of the vaccine.
Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on health care, schools and our communities, severely impacting refugees and their Jordanian hosts, and pushing more families into poverty. This means refugees are increasingly resorting to moving to lower-quality shelters, skipping rent, accumulating debt or reducing food expenditure. In addressing these challenges and building back better, UNHCR is committed to supporting both refugee and Jordanian communities.
“Our assistance to refugees must be part of the broader recovery efforts to help all those affected by the economic impact of the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe." said Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR Jordan Representative. "UNHCR is dedicated to work with the Jordanian Government to ensure that the needs of vulnerable refugees and Jordanians are met,” Bartsch added. In recognition of the skills refugees have to offer, on World Refugee Day, UNHCR is launching a Nursing and Health Care Lab in partnership with Luminus Technical University College (LTUC), which will benefit both refugee and Jordanian students. Using the latest medical equipment, machines and amenities for Pediatrics, Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecology, the lab simulates the environment of a hospital providing vocational training to ensure students’ smooth transition to the labor market.
Additionally, through a collaboration with the UN Chamber Music Society and in a performance led by Jordanian singer, Leen Alfaqih, and accompanied by a refugee choir, UNHCR Jordan is using the power of music to highlight that ‘Together, we can achieve anything. Together we can heal, learn and shine.’
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Take Action
14 June 2021
مبادرة "فيريفايد" Verified
لن نتمكّن من احتواء الفيروس وآثاره إلا إذا أُتيحت لكل شخص إمكانية الوصول إلى معلومات دقيقة وموثوق بها. إنّ Verified هي مبادرة أطلقتها الأمم المتحدة للتصدّي للمعلومات غير الدقيقة والكاذبة من خلال توفير محتوى يمكن الوثوق به: معلومات منقذة للحياة ونصائح قائمة على وقائع وقصص تروي أفضل إبداعات الإنسان.
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Story
25 January 2023
Secretary-General appoints Ms. Sheri Ritsema-Anderson of the United States of America as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Sheri Ritsema-Anderson of the United States of America as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan, with the host Government’s approval. She took up her post on 22 January.
Ms. Ritsema-Anderson brings more than 20 years of experience in international relations, humanitarian affairs, social protection, and public policy, including 10 years working in and on the Middle East. She has cross-cutting expertise in multi-lateral coordination, systems thinking, interagency relations, and strategic analysis.
Prior to her appointment as United Nations Resident Coordinator, she held various senior positions with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). She served most recently as Head of Office in Iraq and previously as Deputy Head of Office in the occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan and Indonesia. She also served in the Operations and Advocacy Division in New York, as OCHA’s principal advisor on the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before that, she worked with UNICEF, UNRWA and various international non-governmental organizations in the Gaza Strip, Indonesia, Chad, Kenya and Sierra Leone, advancing protection and emergency and recovery assistance for children, refugees and others affected by natural disasters and complex emergencies.
Sheri Ritsema-Anderson began her career working in social protection. As part of the New York City Mayor’s Office and the State of Florida governments, she was responsible for advancing social policy and programming in the areas of poverty alleviation, children and family services, and homelessness. She also worked with urban-focused, grassroots civil society organizations in the United States and Peru.
She holds a Master's degree in Public and Urban Policy from The New School Milano School of Policy, Management and Environment in New York.
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Story
14 December 2022
WFP Jordan developed a dedicated innovation activity to identify and scale private sector businesses and collaborate with entrepreneurs who develop impact-driven food, water, livelihood, nutrition, climate, and agricultural technology innovations
Since 2021, the innovation activity has developed four multi-stage support programmes, engaged with 150+ entrepreneurs, provided USD 1,550,000 in direct funding support and contracted services to startups, and integrated startup solutions into two WFP programmes at scale.
Decapolis - WFP launched a 6-month pilot project with Decapolis in November 2020, targeting 100 Jordanian smallholder farmers (SHFs), to validate that using Decapolis results in higher quality and quantity yields. The pilot resulted in a 28% increase in revenues for smallholder farmers, 98% less pesticide residue, and an 84% improvement in product quality and quantity.
WFP scaled up its collaboration with Decapolis in 2022 and implemented a similar project with 600 SHFs under the livelihoods and resilience activity to validate that Decapolis’s impact grows exponentially at scale. The initial results indicate an average of 86% increase in SHF revenue (200% on some products) and 99.5% pesticide residue free products.
Decapolis has also been integrated into the National School Feeding programme in the last quarter of 2022 to source and trace local produce for 95,000 students during the 2022–2023 scholastic year with plans to reach 700,000 students across Jordan by 2027.
Under the different engagements between Decapolis and WFP, a total of 730 farmers have been supported, 960 tons of locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables were procured, traced, and provided to 95,000 students under the school feeding activity’s pilot in 2022, ensuring vulnerable children eat safe, fresh home-grown product in a country with high pesticide residue, and 368 job opportunities were directly related to Decapolis’s operations, such as harvesting and sorting, including 95 women, 30 of whom are Syrian refugees.
ZINC Climate Hackathon – In collaboration with Zain Telecom, UNDP, and the Ministry of Environment, WFP supported the climate hackathon by providing mentorship to 41 teams who are developing innovative startups at different stages of growth, all focused on environmental problems. WFP participated on the judging panel to assess and select the 3 top performers who will be further supported by Zain Telecom.
iPark - In partnership with iPark, Jordan’s first business incubator managed by the Royal Scientific Society, WFP launched a capacity strengthening acceleration programme in September 2022 for 30 early-stage startups working in food security innovation. At the end of the programme, 11 startups presented their ideas to a panel of experts, and 3 of the most promising startups (including iPlant) received seed grant funding of USD 10,000 each from WFP and will be further incubated in iPark to continue receiving support and allow for proper progress monitoring and reporting.
Senara - Senara was identified under the Green Accelerator Middle East programme, an early-stage entrepreneurship support initiative where WFP partnered with cewas, a Swiss NGO operating in the Middle East, with a focus on strengthening entrepreneurial solutions to achieve the SDGs. WFP Jordan is supporting 3 early-stage startups (including Senara) from that programme with USD 10,000 each to launch pilot projects to validate their impact at scale with the aim of scaling up into WFP operations.
Senara has been utilizing WFP funds to increase their capacity in packaging and marketing the goods produced by supported households in Gaza camp/Jerash, positively impacting the beneficiaries’ livelihoods, and to upgrade their existing farm, which is used for training, showcasing different systems, and for selling their own grown harvest to retailers as an additional revenue stream, ensuring the sustainability of the startup. These upgrades included new plastic houses, flooring, security cameras, and other components to increase productivity.
and quality. Senara currently has 10 rooftop units in vulnerable communities, has trained upwards of 60 people, and directly employs 35 people from the Gaza refugee camp in Jerash.
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Story
30 December 2022
UNOPS empowers women through safe public spaces
In the Southern Jordan Valley, improved access to safe and inclusive public spaces is supporting innovation and helping create livelihood opportunities for vulnerable women.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented social and economic shocks across Jordan. The crisis response led to economic vulnerabilities, food insecurities and increased unpaid domestic work, especially among women.
With funding from the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund, UNOPS, UN-Habitat and the International Labour Organization (ILO) joined hands to help empower vulnerable and marginalized people living in Ghor Al Safi.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted women and vulnerable groups across Jordan, including the Southern Jordan Valley,” said Muhammad Usman Akram, Director of UNOPS Multi-Country Office in Amman.
“We are proud of our partnership with UN-Habitat and ILO to help communities in the Ghor Al Safi area, which is in dire need of a safe space for women, youth, children and vulnerable people,” he added.
Implemented in partnership with the Zaha Cultural Centre, the Municipality of the Southern Jordan Valley and the Jordan River Foundation, the project is helping enhance socio-economic conditions and creating livelihood opportunities for vulnerable women through the rehabilitation of a community centre and a safe and green public space.
Rehabilitated by UNOPS, the park now includes safe play and rest areas for children of all ages, including children living with disabilities. Areas have also been designated for social and cultural activities, including a market space that will serve as a platform for the creation of livelihood opportunities for vulnerable women.
The community centre within the park will host social, cultural and capacity-building activities, including tailored training seminars on entrepreneurial skills to help increase the employability of women in the area.
At the inauguration ceremony held in December 2022, Frida Khan, the Country Coordinator for the ILO office, praised the transformation: “This place is buzzing with life and hope.”
The rehabilitated facilities will directly benefit more than 37,000 inhabitants in Ghor Al Safi – 46 per cent of whom are women – as well as those from neighbouring communities. At least 26,000 inhabitants in neighbouring areas of El-Mazraa, Al-Maamoura and Ghor Fifa – which lack access to adequate and safe public spaces – will also indirectly benefit from the improved infrastructure.
“This project builds on the extensive and worldwide experience of UN-Habitat in improving public space as a catalyst for developing sustainable and resilient livelihoods through nurturing social cohesion between hosts and displaced communities,” said Deema Abu Thiab, the National Programme Coordinator for UN-Habitat.
"This project has been an excellent example of combining the expertise of different agencies and different types of support, soft and hard," said Frida Khan, ILO’s Country Coordinator to Jordan
“Without UN-Habitat and UNOPS intervention, we would have had a cohort of entrepreneurs without a space from which to use their skills and market their products. And without ILO’s support, the other agencies would have had a world-class community space but underutilized to its full potential as a hub for women’s social and economic empowerment,” said Frida Khan. “Now we have both.”
The public area, which is expected to receive at least 10,000 visitors a year, provides a safe space for women to develop and promote their small businesses. Around 15 market fairs and 3 annual festivals will be organized to attract people visiting Wadi Hasa, which is a landmark tourist site located on the outskirts of Ghor Al Safi. The additional visitors will help create economic opportunities for women business owners in Ghor Al Safi to promote and sell their products.
About the project This project is funded by the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund. UNOPS implemented the project in partnership with UN-Habitat and the International Labour Organization. Considered the first of its kind in the area, the project followed an integrated approach developed by UN-Habitat to strengthen the community’s involvement in the design, implementation and maintenance of the space. Consultations were held in Ghor Al Safi with local community members and organizations, with perceptions related to gender, safety, accessibility and inclusivity considered in the design of the new space.
About the project This project is funded by the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund. UNOPS implemented the project in partnership with UN-Habitat and the International Labour Organization. Considered the first of its kind in the area, the project followed an integrated approach developed by UN-Habitat to strengthen the community’s involvement in the design, implementation and maintenance of the space. Consultations were held in Ghor Al Safi with local community members and organizations, with perceptions related to gender, safety, accessibility and inclusivity considered in the design of the new space.
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Story
14 December 2022
Between refuge and disability, fighting the odds in Jordan’s Zaatari Camp
Having a child born with a disability requires a special level of care, especially in the child’s first years. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)salutes mothers like Um Yousef who are doing this in the most difficult circumstance.
Conflict, refuge, and disability define Yousef’s life. Six-year-old Yousef was not even born when the conflict in Syria erupted in 2011 pushing his family out of the country. They fled to Jordan after seven months of fierce violence in their hometown of Dara’a taking refuge in the Zaatari refugee camp.
His mother still remembers the painful details of the perilous journey out of Dara’a and into safety in Jordan.
“Our lives were turned upside down, we lost the sense of safety and security that we were used to,” says Yousef’s mother who prefers to be referred to as Um Yousef—the mother of Yousef.
“The first year was hard, especially emotionally,” she recalls. “We had to stand in line just to bathe in the communal bathrooms. Later, we were able to put together a bathroom in our tent before we were finally given a proper shelter, giving us some sort of privacy.”
Stuck between two hard choices: the flames of the war in Syria, and the muddy camp in the winter days of Jordan. “In the winter, the entire camp turns into a mud pool, making life there even more difficult than usual.”
Um Yousef worked with a humanitarian agency in the camp for the first six years until she had Yousef who was born with a disability. She had to quit to take proper care of him. Um Yousef, like all camp residents, receives monthly food assistance from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), but she admits that she prioritizes securing Yousef’s milk. She uses what’s left to buy basic food needs for the whole family. After spending so many years in the camp, Um Yousef has come to terms with the fact that. “We have no choice for but but to accept and adjust to the circumstances we find ourselves in. Never let hardship stop you or make you weak. We must hold on, keep moving forward, and face our new normal.” Her biggest concern is Yousef she says: “I have considered medical-based immigration, not because I want to leave Jordan, but so that I can get him the treatment he needs.” Um Yousef’s family, along with thousands of other Syrian refugees in Jordan, continue to receive assistance from WFP thanks to the generosity of donors. Zaatari camp, the only home Yousef knows, has evolved from a few tents into an urban settlement of almost 80,000 people. Syria remains one of the WFP’s biggest emergencies, and the numbers are staggering. A quarter of all refugees in the world are Syrian and they have sought safety in 130 countries.
Um Yousef worked with a humanitarian agency in the camp for the first six years until she had Yousef who was born with a disability. She had to quit to take proper care of him. Um Yousef, like all camp residents, receives monthly food assistance from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), but she admits that she prioritizes securing Yousef’s milk. She uses what’s left to buy basic food needs for the whole family. After spending so many years in the camp, Um Yousef has come to terms with the fact that. “We have no choice for but but to accept and adjust to the circumstances we find ourselves in. Never let hardship stop you or make you weak. We must hold on, keep moving forward, and face our new normal.” Her biggest concern is Yousef she says: “I have considered medical-based immigration, not because I want to leave Jordan, but so that I can get him the treatment he needs.” Um Yousef’s family, along with thousands of other Syrian refugees in Jordan, continue to receive assistance from WFP thanks to the generosity of donors. Zaatari camp, the only home Yousef knows, has evolved from a few tents into an urban settlement of almost 80,000 people. Syria remains one of the WFP’s biggest emergencies, and the numbers are staggering. A quarter of all refugees in the world are Syrian and they have sought safety in 130 countries.
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Story
15 December 2022
UNDP supports small business at the heart of Amman
Ahmad was paving his pathway towards a milestone. Today, two years after receiving a grant through the Heart of Amman Programme, Ahmad owns a tailoring workshop and works with a team of four people to send out orders to different companies in the city.
Ahmad Ali is a young Jordanian man who lives alone after his mother and father passed away. Living alone was a struggle for him and his sewing skills were his haven through the difficult days. Ahmad started his career after he finished high school, as an employee in a small workshop, “I started at a young age because I knew if I am going to have my own workshop, I will need to work hard on my skills and my network. I know I should have never left school when I was young, but my family situation didn’t help, and I had to support my parents financially”, Ahmad said.
Ahmad was among 200 young men and women who participated in the “Heart of Amman II” programme. Before applying to be part of the programme, he had a small business called “Flower” where he tailored and designed sportswear. Back then he used to rent extra sewing machines from other shops to complete his orders on time. “Flower” was an achievement for me even though it was challenging, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic where everything was paused for two years. However, I relied on social media as a tool to promote my work”, Ahmad added.
Small businesses in Jordan face several challenges that causes drop backs, drop in orders, financial burdens in the face of their development and sustainability. As a business owner, Ahmad went through many different obstacles to be able to open his own tailoring shop.
As a participant in the “Heart of Amman” programme, Ahmad received extensive training on development and entrepreneurship skills. The purpose of this capacity building is to prepareyoung people for formal employment or to help them create their businesses through mentorship and financial support. Ahmad added, “The programme supported me personally and professionally. Being part of the Heart of Amman progarmme has changed my life completely, made me independent, and confident of my skills and future. Now I have my tailoring shop, and feel more confident in how I can sustain it. This was a major milestone when I embarked on this journey”.
Small businesses are a catalyst for job creation and income generation in Jordan. Ahmad's tailoring shop provided job opportunities for two women and two men, and the business is growing month by month and Ahmad is dealing with different big companies. “The business is moving in the right direction, the team is committed to scale up the work and the progress of the orders”, Ahmad added.
The “Heart of Amman II” programme, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP, supports the improvement of socio-economic conditions in Downtown Amman through applying effective and innovation-driven solutions that add value to the local community, revive growth and create jobs. The programme supports the establishment and scaling of innovative business ideas through improving their business and revenue models as well as growth strategies. The support to businesses is not only limited to the provision of seed funding, but start-ups also received networking opportunities with eco-system change-makers.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an opportunity to create an equal and inclusive society where all people have access to opportunities as those without. The “Heart of Amman” aims at advancing the development of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem and the promotion of policy dialogue to implement solutions to commonly faced challenges amongst social enterprises. Building a framework and an ecosystem in which social entrepreneurs can thrive, boost the economy, and positively impact society and nature.
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Press Release
24 January 2023
Ministry of Education and UN Jordan observe the Intl. Day of Education in a one-day conference
24 January 2023 (AMMAN)— The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the United Nations on Tuesday hosted a one-day conference to convey the outcomes and Jordan’s commitments to the Transforming Education Summit (TES), convened by the UN Secretary General last year in response to the global learning crisis.
Titled “Post-Transforming Education Summit”, the conference was organized with support from UNESCO and UNICEF to observe the International Day of Education, which is celebrated this year with a call for maintaining strong political mobilization around education to chart the way to translate commitments during the global summit and global initiatives into action.
During the opening ceremony, Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah said education is a fundamental human right due to its "unique ability to develop knowledge, behavior, and values needed in communities to build a just, sustainable, and prosperous future."
Jordan's commitment came as part of a response to the global post-pandemic education crisis regarding equality, comprehensiveness, and quality, he added, indicating the need to renew global financial and political commitment to education and forge ahead with achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
For his part, Dominik Bartsch, the UN Resident Coordinator a.i. stated: “We must reimagine education systems to enable all children and young people to reach their full potential. We must ensure that learning empowers individuals and societies to both reshape the present and lead us to a more just, sustainable, resilient, and peaceful future.”
The event brought together over 80 participants from the government and non-government organizations, UN agencies, development partners, civil society organizations and youth, where Jordan’s National Statement of Commitment to transform education towards the achievement of SDG4 ‘Education for All’ was presented. Participants also discussed ways to scaleup efforts and mobilize further partnerships to support Jordan in implementing these commitments and for translating this commitment into action.
Jordan’s commitments include the universalization of Kindergarten 2 providing enabling, safe, healthy, and accessible learning environments and support systems for all children, with special emphasis on children vulnerable to exclusion from and within education; adopting preventive measures for future potential crises, through the development of a risk and crisis management strategy; optimizing the planning of school infrastructure, maintenance and resources to accommodate increased demand, safety and accessibility for all; further investing in the MoE’s Education Management Information System for evidence-based policy making; and reforming the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, to enhance quality and relevance, and respond to the requirements of the labour market.
During the event, speakers and panelists highlighted that to advance progress towards SDG4 and to invest in people and bring out their full potential, education and training must be prioritized, whilst political will and financial commitment must be maintained.
The panel deliberations validated the priority areas for action in Jordan for the transforming education agenda and discussed how to translate them into action through mobilization, including political and financial, and further alignment. The conference concluded by renewing Jordan’s commitment to accelerate progress towards SDG4 and to ensure the right of children and young people to quality education and lifelong learning.
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Press Release
19 January 2023
Jordan’s Independent Elections Commission Pioneers the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions in the Arab Region
Formally launched in July 2021, the Gender Equality Seal has now rolled out globally in 14 countries in over 73 public institutions. This innovative awarding programme focuses on creating an equitable and inclusive work environment, where women and men have equal access to opportunities.
Jordan's National Strategy for Women 2020 – 2025 strived for Jordanian society free of discrimination and gender-based violence, where women and girls enjoy full human rights and equal opportunities towards inclusive and sustainable development. Public institutions have a leading role in this vision and the GES, presents a powerful instrument that will support Jordan’s institutions to make tangible results towards achieving gender equality invoking a set of standards and benchmarks that allow institutions to measure their progress towards gender equality, and it provides institutions with the means to mainstream gender at an institutional level.
“Gender equality is part of our commitment to make progress on the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda,” said H.E. Musa Maayta, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent Election Commission of Jordan, “... I would also like to announce that the IEC is launching the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions programme supported by UNDP.”
The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Jordan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced on 9 November 2022 that the IEC has committed to implementing UNDP’s Gender Equality Seal (GES) for Public Institutions programme, making it the first public institution in the Arab States to undertake this pioneering initiative. The announcement was made in a large public ceremony marking the occasion of the establishment of the Women Empowerment Unit at the IEC.
The GES programme is a global voluntary awarding programme that aims at supporting and recognizing public institutions that commit to and improve on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment and celebrate measurable progress against internationally recognized standards to address and incorporate gender mainstreaming in its work to achieve progress reducing gender gaps.
"UNDP has been partnering with IEC since 2012, offering its technical support and expertise at different levels. Today we are paving the way towards strengthening gender equality and women’s empowerment at the IEC, making it a role model in the country as the first public institution to roll out the Seal." Said Randa Abul-Husn, Resident Representative of UNDP Jordan Country Office.
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Press Release
15 December 2022
JEDCO & FAO sign a project to bolster the resilience and income of rural productive communities in Jordan
14 December,2022 Amman, Jordan – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, and the CEO of Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), Mr. Abdel Fattah Kayed, signed today a project agreement to bolster the resilience and income of rural productive communities while improving natural resource management in Jordan through the “Integrating Climate Resilience in the Rural Economic Growth and Employment Project (REGEP)”, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Dutch government. This project comes in recognition of the importance to support the agriculture sector and sustainable management of natural resources.
The project aims to conduct economic evaluation of the specialized export value chains, support the agricultural coordination team, and build the capacities in the current farmer field schools that help adapt to climate change, the project also aims to enhance the response of these communities to improve the livelihoods of local communities by supporting families to increase agricultural and food production through applying climate-resilient practices.
FAO Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, stated, “The project provides technical assistance and capacity building to the targeted beneficiaries, entities and pilot innovative approaches to ensure food and nutrition security are achieved through an inclusive programmatic approach that also focuses on cross-cutting issues such as gender inclusion and climate change.” Assaf added, “FAO will improve irrigation water use efficiency and productivity, strengthen the capacities of stakeholders in adopting the upscaling improvement of community- based solutions.”
The CEO of JEDCO, Mr. Abdel Fattah Kayed said, Through this agreement, farmer’s resilience to water scarcity and climate change will be enhanced, the technical capacity of smallholders for production will be strengthened and productivity of high value crops will be achieved through the sustainable use of scarce resources and the integration with markets for increase in quality and quantity of produce marketed will be enhanced. In addition to improving the access to domestic and international high value markets, and timely sustainable financial services.
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Press Release
14 December 2022
UN-Habitat, GAM and Greater Irbid Municipality officially launch Amman and Irbid Spatial Profiles
UN-Habitat Jordan, in partnership with the Greater Amman and Irbid Municipalities, officially launched the Amman and Irbid Spatial Profiles.
The spatial profiles were developed under the framework of the “Urban Planning and Infrastructure in Migration Contexts (UPIMC) Programme”, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). UPIMC Programme supports a number of municipalities that host displaced populations, in developing long-term strategies that build on their resilience to face future challenges. The UPIMC programme endeavours to foster multisectoral collaboration between UN-Habitat, national and local governments, humanitarian actors, development partners, as well as international financial institutions to develop sustainable interventions that build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable settings. The programme is implemented in three countries, Cameroon (Douala), Egypt (New Damietta), and Jordan (Amman and Irbid).
The spatial profiles comprise a spatially focused, cross-sectoral, situational analysis of urban areas hosting local communities and migrant populations. These spatial profiles will provide local stakeholders with a comprehensive spatial understanding of the existing situation as a basis for decision-making, long-term urban development strategies, and infrastructure investment planning.
Mr. Ahmad Malkawi, the City Manager of Amman, explained that the UPIMC programme assists the Greater Amman Municipality in addressing urban challenges, highlighting that this evidence-based study can guide the different development actors in the country to work together as one hand in the design and implementation of projects and to provide a better quality of life for residents in Jordan.
Mayor of Irbid, Mr. Nabel Al Kofahi, highlighted UN-Habitat continuous support and their work in Jordan, particularly in developing infrastructure as well as enhancing the quality of life for people. Mr. Al Kofahi shed light on the Irbid Vision 2030, which states that Irbid is "A green, smart city that is attractive for investment and brings happiness to its people." He highlighted that the vision has happiness as its main goal, which entails that the municipality puts the human being at its core, working on social programs, public services, and infrastructure network developments.
"We are very proud of the partnership we established with Greater Amman and Irbid Municipalities. The UPIMC program is aligned with UN-Habitat's mandate, which is promoting transformative change in cities and urban areas through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action, to leave no one and no place behind”, added Ms. Lubna Shaheen, Senior Urban Programme Officer at UN-Habitat Jordan.
Ms. Caroline Tissot, Deputy Head of Mission, Regional Head of Cooperation from the Embassy of Switzerland, expressed Switzerland's interest in supporting such projects by saying: "Urbanization everywhere is a global phenomenon and the rapid influx of displaced populations to urban settings have made spatial, economic, and social impacts. To grasp and leverage this growth, we really need to have data and understand the problems to be able to make policies. Making policies means we need to tackle the issues with long term solutions." She continued by acknowledging that Jordan is strongly affected by these developments, and that is why the collaboration, and the Spatial Profiles are very important for making informed decisions.
To download the Amman Spatial Profile, please click the link here.
To download the Irbid Spatial Profile, please click the link here.
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Press Release
15 December 2022
UNIDO welcomes 20 fashion designers to the KHAYT fashion design competition
Following a widespread call for applications under the “Creative Jordan” project, UNIDO, Garment Design & Training Services Center (GSC), and a coalition of national and international selection panel concluded an intensive screening process to select the 20 designers who will participate in the two seasons of the KHAYT fashion design competition.2022, designing and producing (spring/summer) collections.
2023, designing and producing (autumn/winter) collections.
Following the announcement, the first meeting was held at GSC on Wednesday 11th of November 2022 with the selected designers who will participate in one of the two seasons of the fashion competition to discuss the next steps, including their enrolment in the mentoring program and the competition cycle. The designers will also participate in the business development, export & sourcing and marketing training courses provided by the Creative Jordan project to further develop their knowledge and better understand the requirements and needs of the national and international markets.
Furthermore, led by experts from UNIDO and GSC, the selected designers will undergo a two-month mentoring program to develop their skills and designs. The designs will maintain a line between traditional Jordanian garments, drawings, colors, and contemporary collections to suit national and international markets.
The competition will gather young Jordanian designers and producers, aiming to provide support to the Jordanian designers and assist the producers to manufacture new products for the global markets. “Creative Jordan” will showcase the new collections through an international exhibition and provide a chance for international exposure for both designers and producers.
The goal of the competition is to advance the fashion industry in Jordan through genuine design, creativity, and innovation, as well as improve its competency in the regional and global markets to enhance economic opportunities and job creation in the textile and fashion value chains in Jordan through capacity building and establishing effective linkages between designers and SMEs.
KHAYT fashion design competition is part of the "Supporting the Textile Value Chain to Create Employment and Economic Opportunities in Jordan" project under the name "Creative Jordan", funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership Garment Design & Training Services Center (GSC).
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