Amman: The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Good Neighbors Jordan, has successfully concluded the "Creating Sustainable Green Jobs for Refugees and Host Communities through the Green Economy in Jordan" project.
According to Jordan News Agency, the project, running from 2023 to 2026, focused on expanding green employment opportunities and empowering women, young people, refugees, and host communities. It also aimed to support Jordan's transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable green economy. Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman, who was present at the closing ceremony, emphasized that green jobs are a national priority, aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Suleiman highlighted the project's role in strengthening the capacities of young people, women, and entrepreneurs, which supports a transition towards a sustainable and inclusive economy. The initiative achieved significant results by developing green skills, promoting environmental entrepreneurship, and offering incubation and acceleration programs for startups. These accomplishments lay the groundwork for sustaining the project's impact and expanding green employment opportunities throughout Jordan.
In his remarks, South Korean Ambassador Kim Pil-woo noted his country's commitment to supporting sustainable development in Jordan, highlighted by the $5.5 million funding provided by KOICA. The project underscored the significance of Jordanian-Korean cooperation in education, vocational training, climate action, green growth, and empowering refugees and host communities.
GGGI Jordan Country Representative Christophe Assicot shared the project's achievements, noting that 1,649 beneficiaries completed green-skills training, and 870 prospective entrepreneurs received specialized training. Furthermore, 303 businesses participated in incubation programs, and 22 companies benefited from acceleration programs, fostering an integrated national green employment ecosystem.
Assicot also mentioned the project's contribution to drafting Jordan's first National Green Employment Action Plan, which will offer a strategic framework to guide national green employment efforts and enhance stakeholder coordination once adopted.
The closing ceremony, attended by Ministry of Environment Secretary-General Omar Arabiyat, included discussions with beneficiaries who shared their experiences in environmental, social, and corporate governance reporting, green entrepreneurship, and incubation and acceleration programs. The beneficiaries underscored the project's positive impact on their skill development and economic opportunities.
The project's completion marks the start of a new phase of cooperation, emphasizing national partnerships, capacity-building, knowledge products, and green entrepreneurship support mechanisms developed through the initiative. These efforts are expected to contribute to expanding sustainable employment opportunities and aiding Jordan's transition towards a green economy.