Agreement paves way for planting new forests across northern Jordan
The ILO signs a new implementation agreement with Jordan’s Ministry of Agriculture for the afforestation of land in four governorates, with funding from the Government of Germany.
8 May 2023
Amman (ILO News) – The ILO signed a new agreement with Jordan’s Ministry of Agriculture for the afforestation of 1.75 square kilometers of land in four governorates in the north of the country. The agreement falls under the sixth phase of the Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) in Jordan, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KfW).
The project will be implemented in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Labour and a number of local municipalities.
The agreement, worth around 2.36 million Jordanian dinars (approximately 3.32 million US dollars), will cover afforestation activities in the governorates of Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun and Al Balqa over 16 months. It is expected to generate 1,250 job opportunities for Jordanians and Syrians using the employment-intensive approach, providing over 120,000 worker days. It will be implemented in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture.
Afforestation works under the new project will plant 89,000 new trees using the “cocoon” technology, which uses biodegradable water containers and wind screens to irrigate and protect tree saplings. It uses up to 90 per cent less water than traditional afforestation techniques. The Ministry of Agriculture will also install 9,000 meters of fencing material to protect the newly planted forests.
The new project follows on from a previous afforestation project implemented by the ILO’s Germany-funded EIIP in Jordan, which successfully planted 15,000 saplings using the cocoon technology and achieving 101 jobs.
The new funding comes on top of 18 million euros already provided by Germany for the implementation of the current phase of the EIIP over 24 months. The programme aims to increase short-term income and improve living conditions for workers from disadvantaged communities through decent paid employment. It also provides young Jordanians and Syrians with skills that will help them secure longer-term job opportunities.
Jordan’s Minister of Agriculture Khalid Hneifat stated that “this agreement will contribute to the National Afforestation Plan and to the employment of Jordanians and Syrians and improve their economic situation through paid employment.” Hneifat added that “the agreement is in line with the royal vision to improve the agricultural sector and create job opportunities in this sector.”
Director of the KfW Office in Amman Mark Schwiete stated that “KfW and the German Government are committed to supporting economic opportunities and employment creation in Jordan. Through afforestation activities, this phase of the programme will enhance sustainable management of forest areas contributing to clean green environment which are key to the climate crisis.”
ILO Chief Technical Advisor Shailendra Jha Kumar stated that the “ILO is happy to be part of the implementation of Jordan’s National Afforestation Plan with the Ministry of Agriculture. We had a very nice and professional experience from the first implementation agreement that completed with quality and on time.”
The EIIP project began in 2016 in Jordan in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and to help the Government of Jordan face challenges relating to the Syrian influx. It focuses on increasing short term employment through improving infrastructure and environment and providing youth with skills that will support them to find longer-term job opportunities.
The project is inclusive for Jordanian, Syrians, men, women and persons with disabilities.
The project will be implemented in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Labour and a number of local municipalities.
The agreement, worth around 2.36 million Jordanian dinars (approximately 3.32 million US dollars), will cover afforestation activities in the governorates of Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun and Al Balqa over 16 months. It is expected to generate 1,250 job opportunities for Jordanians and Syrians using the employment-intensive approach, providing over 120,000 worker days. It will be implemented in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture.
Afforestation works under the new project will plant 89,000 new trees using the “cocoon” technology, which uses biodegradable water containers and wind screens to irrigate and protect tree saplings. It uses up to 90 per cent less water than traditional afforestation techniques. The Ministry of Agriculture will also install 9,000 meters of fencing material to protect the newly planted forests.
The new project follows on from a previous afforestation project implemented by the ILO’s Germany-funded EIIP in Jordan, which successfully planted 15,000 saplings using the cocoon technology and achieving 101 jobs.
The new funding comes on top of 18 million euros already provided by Germany for the implementation of the current phase of the EIIP over 24 months. The programme aims to increase short-term income and improve living conditions for workers from disadvantaged communities through decent paid employment. It also provides young Jordanians and Syrians with skills that will help them secure longer-term job opportunities.
Jordan’s Minister of Agriculture Khalid Hneifat stated that “this agreement will contribute to the National Afforestation Plan and to the employment of Jordanians and Syrians and improve their economic situation through paid employment.” Hneifat added that “the agreement is in line with the royal vision to improve the agricultural sector and create job opportunities in this sector.”
Director of the KfW Office in Amman Mark Schwiete stated that “KfW and the German Government are committed to supporting economic opportunities and employment creation in Jordan. Through afforestation activities, this phase of the programme will enhance sustainable management of forest areas contributing to clean green environment which are key to the climate crisis.”
ILO Chief Technical Advisor Shailendra Jha Kumar stated that the “ILO is happy to be part of the implementation of Jordan’s National Afforestation Plan with the Ministry of Agriculture. We had a very nice and professional experience from the first implementation agreement that completed with quality and on time.”
The EIIP project began in 2016 in Jordan in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and to help the Government of Jordan face challenges relating to the Syrian influx. It focuses on increasing short term employment through improving infrastructure and environment and providing youth with skills that will support them to find longer-term job opportunities.
The project is inclusive for Jordanian, Syrians, men, women and persons with disabilities.