Amman – Jordan is a long-standing partner of Canada in the Middle East. This year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Jordan and a long history working together to promote regional peace and stability, refugee protection, education, climate action and women’s economic empowerment. As part of its Middle East engagement strategy, Canada has provided, since 2016, significant assistance to support Jordan in hosting large refugee populations.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced $95 million in new development assistance funding for 7 projects in the country. Education projects will receive $71.8 million in funding and the $23.2-million balance will go to renewable energy and biodiversity projects:
- The Government of Jordan will receive $32.5 million in funding for the second phase of the Education for Jordan Prosperity project. This project aims to strengthen the education system, improve the quality of education nationwide and ensure equitable and inclusive access to education for all children, including children with disabilities and refugees.
- The Queen Rania Teacher Academy will receive $17.6 million in funding for the Developing Jordan’s Public School Educators project. The initiative will improve the quality of education in Jordanian schools through training and accreditation programs and professional development opportunities for teachers and principals.
- The World University Service of Canada will receive $12.2 million in funding for the Burden of Child Care Reduced and Addressed for Women in Jordan project. This project will help to improve access to quality child-care services for Jordanian families and increase employment opportunities for women.
- UNESCO will receive $6.5 million in funding for the Technical Assistance for Transforming Technical Vocational Education and Training project. Designed to support Canada’s Sovereign Loan to Jordan, the project will facilitate increased access to safe and inclusive education for Jordanian and refugee girls and boys in the public education system to help prepare them for future employment opportunities.
- The German Society for International Cooperation will receive $3 million in funding to implement the Labour Market Oriented Vocational Training project. This collaboration will better integrate women and youth into the Jordanian labour market by improving the training curriculum, teaching and governance in the vocational training sector.
- Cowater International will receive $18.2 million in funding for the second phase of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Project. This project aims to increase the employability of women and marginalized groups in the climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy sectors, including solar power technology, which will reduce energy costs and carbon emissions for the benefit of local communities.
- The United Nations Development Programme will receive $5 million in funding for the Protecting Marine Biodiversity in Aqaba project, which aims to help conserve and restore marine and land biodiversity in the Gulf of Aqaba, including endangered species and coral reefs.
“Access to high-quality education and child care, as well as increased opportunities in the agriculture, biodiversity and renewable energy sectors, help people develop more prosperous and inclusive communities. Building on long-standing and productive ties with Jordan, Canada’s support will continue to help women and marginalized youths become active participants in the Jordanian workforce.” – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development