Context
Jordan faces a number of challenges, particularly in terms of food security and youth employability (around one in two young people is unemployed (DGT, 2022)). Agricultural production is relatively low and Jordan faces water scarcity (Jordan needs about 1.3 billion m3 of water per year, but the available amount is about 850 to 900 million m3 (Geo, 2021)), while its population is growing.
It is one of the youngest countries in the world (more than 60% of the population is under the age of 30), but these young people face many difficulties in entering the labour market.
Despite this, young Jordanians are particularly interested in setting up their own businesses. The joint project between the World Food Programme and UNICEF aims to encourage young people to start businesses in the field of innovation for sustainable development.
Project
The joint WFP-UNICEF programme enabled the young participants to develop their knowledge of food security through various training sessions, learn to identify the problems faced by Jordanians, and develop innovative projects to provide solutions to food-related problems. Technology was at the heart of this programme, introducing participants to new methods for building a more resilient food system, from production to consumption.
It also provided participants with the skills needed to start an innovative business: they were supported from the idea stage through to testing their project.
The aim of the programme was to increase the employability of these young people and to encourage them to develop innovations in the field of food (increased production, quality of school meals, waste, etc.). The programme culminated in 12 projects being presented to a jury. The 5 selected projects received financial and technical support.
For whom ?
This innovation programme was aimed at Jordanian men and women between the ages of 18 and 26 with a specific interest in food safety issues.
Resources
Several governments are involved in funding the innovation programmes run by UNICEF and the World Food Programme: the Netherlands (UNICEF), Ireland and Australia (WFP).
Results
22 young people took part in the programme, which gave rise to a wide range of projects, including some related to food:
- Converting agricultural waste into fertiliser to improve production and provide an alternative to chemical fertilisers;
- Producing a polymer by recycling organic waste to remove heavy metals that may be present in water;
- Converting moisture in the air into pure water, allowing plants to be watered directly from the air.
Little extra
This programme has particularly encouraged the participation of women. Of the 12 finalist projects, 10 were led or co-led by women.
This initiative sheet was written by Romane Bouchez, LF volunteer - March 2023.
Last modification : 29 Dec 2023.
WFP-UNICEF
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian organisation fighting hunger by distributing food aid in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.