Jordan Valley Links
Enterprise Development for Women and Youth in the Jordan Valley
Jordan Valley Links
2016 - 2021
In the Jordan Valley, entrepreneurs in general have poor and limited access to markets, business development services, and finance; these constraints are particularly exacerbated for women and youth. In addition, societal and cultural perceptions towards women’s and youth’s work and their role in entrepreneurship are neither encouraging nor favorable. As a result, promising entrepreneurs are not able to bring their good ideas to fruition or to develop job-creating businesses at a time of heightened economic fragility in Jordan. Entrepreneurship, innovation and risk-taking among women and youth are hindered by the lack of support, infrastructure, and cultural restrictions.
Overview
Goal:
To increase the contribution by Jordanian women and youth to Jordan’s economic growth. This will be done by improving entrepreneurial and business acumen of women and youth and by reducing barriers to entry (market and societal/cultural) for enterprise development.
Reach:
25,000 women and youth
Funder:
Global Affairs Canada
Programming Areas
Partners
- Environmental Lab
- Experience Baraka
- Future Pioneers
- Green Tech
- Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD)
- Jordan River Foundation (JRF)
- National Association for Family Empowerment (NAFE)
- Royal Scientific Society – National Energy Research Council
- Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)
- SARH International
Innovation Fund and SME Partnerships:
Success Stories
Intisar’s Husband Supports Her
A Jordanian woman becomes an entrepreneur with her husband’s support. “My husband was my first customer”, says Intisar Al Marabi, a new food entrepreneur selling pickles in an impoverished area in Balqa governorate in Jordan, northwest of the capital Amman
Read Intisar's Story
Samah and Ibrahim’s Bed & Breakfast
To get to where she is today, Intisar had to get past a few barriers that usually stop women from entering the business world in Jordan. The main constraint was the way the community criticizes her as a woman who leaves her house to earn a living. Another was her lack of knowledge in business management and fear of failure.
Read About the Bed & BreakfastLatest News
A Surprisingly Cool Desert in Summer
In 2005 the Royal Society for the Conversation of Nature (RSCN) established a one-of-a-kind ecolodge in the heart of Wadi Feynan in Dana Biosphere Reserve named Feynan Ecolodge. Four years later, a partnership was initiated between the RSCN and EcoHotels who took over the management and operational responsibilities of the lodge.
Read About the EcolodgePhotos
Qalsoom’s Kitchen - A women entrepreneur emerges as a role model in Um Qais
Al Harra Fogga Café - A budding youth-led enterprise Supporting Saleh to grow his new business
Biscuits Baked with the Flavour of Hope - Local entrepreneur Anwar Al Shwayat
Intelligent Blooming - Wijdan operates a nursery, where she sells plants, flowers and an array of herbs
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