International Development Grant
Jordan Valley Links: Enterprise Development in the Jordan Valley
Project Number: CA-3-D002309001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $17,149,290.00
Start Date: January 28, 2016
End Date: March 31, 2021
Duration: 5.2 years
Project Description
This project aims to increase the contribution of women and youth to Jordan’s economic growth. Also the project seeks to support 25 000 women and youth in the Jordan Valley to seize new opportunities in three targeted sectors (food processing tourism and clean technologies) and become strong economic actors. Project activities include: (1) improving the entrepreneurial and business knowledge and expertise of women and youth through capacity building and establishing market linkages; and (2) reducing barriers to entry for enterprise development for women and youth. Local organizations are engaged in the project implementation specifically in mobilizing communities and women and youth. These organizations provide vital knowledge of local context and culture and linkages with the communities in targeted project areas.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved entrepreneurial and business acumen of women and youth in targeted sectors; and (2) reduced barriers to entry for enterprise development for women and youth.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (January 2021) include: (1) enhanced learning capacity for 20 174 women and youth entrepreneurs. Training included mastering essential technical skills improving business planning as well as providing new access to technology and market information. Of those 19 324 were trained to be aware of their businesses’ environmental risks and how to fix them. In addition 10 018 of them received financial and other soft skills training. 6 083 of them put their skills into practice to promote their businesses using different market channels; (2) launched a pilot green waste station in southern Ghor in May 2020 which produced 25 tons of green compost from 100 tons of green waste in five months despite pandemic-related challenges; (3) connected 8 166 women and youth entrepreneurs with mentors. In addition 4 828 women and youth entrepreneurs participated in formal business networks and 5 249 joined informal networks; (4) trained participants on methodologies financial literacy small business management and other soft skills required to understand and use small loans; (5) identified loan providers and micro-finance institutions to help support women and youth expand and sustain their businesses. Provided detailed financial literacy training which included: explaining financial products and their respective service providers and providing information on how to apply for loans with focus on business loans; (6) carried out 122 virtual and in-person campaigns to promote entrepreneurship and increase awareness of environmental issues. The campaigns reached over 3 million community members; (7) held 431 community discussions to raise awareness of gender equality principles; (8) participated in two evaluations: the first on the GroWE sector program in Jordan and the second on impact of gender programming of the Middle East regional efforts; and (9) launched several locally-conducted assessments to understand the impact of the COVI
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Mennonite Economic DevelopmentAssociates of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
EGM Europe Arctic Middle East and Magh
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal