Improving green infrastructure in Jordan through labour-intensive activities

Context

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 660,646 refugees from Syria were officially registered in Jordan in March 2023. This represents 10% of the country's population growth. 81% of refugees do not live in camps but in host communities, which affects the demand for basic infrastructure. Functional public green spaces, green networks and recreational areas are not sufficiently integrated into spatial planning. In addition, communities lack the resources to maintain these green spaces.

The project

The project will run for 8 years, from 2017 to 2025. It is part of the Special Initiative "Displaced persons and host countries". It will benefit both refugees and host communities. The focus is on creating and restoring green spaces. Workers will plant trees, build picnic areas and restore parks, playgrounds and sports facilities. The project pays particular attention to the needs of women and refugees.
4,617 workers are employed for at least 2 months in 13 municipalities and 18 rural areas. Half of these workers are Jordanians in vulnerable situations, the other half are Syrian refugees - at least 25% are women. During their contract, the workers have the opportunity to participate in various training courses.

What are the objectives?

These labour-intensive activities, which employ Jordanian and Syrian workers, aim to: develop green spaces while strengthening social cohesion, improve public life and the urban climate, and protect biodiversity.

Who is it for?

The project aims to improve the living conditions and livelihoods of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.

With whom?

The project is supported and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Jordanian Ministry of Environment, various NGOs and municipalities.

Resources

Several actors are involved in this approach: the Jordanian Ministry of Environment, Jordanian municipalities, and national and international NGOs.

What are the results?

The expected results are manifold:

• Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees;
• Improving social relations between host communities and refugees;
• Contribute to the social and economic empowerment of women;
• Increase access to green infrastructure;
• Improve urban climate and preserve biodiversity.

A little extra

Through labour-intensive activities involving Jordanian and Syrian workers, green infrastructure will be developed while strengthening social cohesion, enhancing public life, regulating the urban climate and preserving biodiversity. It also improves the living conditions of vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees by creating temporary jobs.

This initiative sheet was written by Pia Harismendy, a student at Bordeaux Sciences Agro in 2022-2023.

Sources:

• Improving green infrastructure by employing refugees
• http://www.secheresse.info/spip.php?article117749
• https://www.adaptationcommunity.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-06_Relance-verte-dans-la-pratique_Rapport-2-1.pdf

Last modification : 29 Dec 2023.