The training will cover topics such as the concept of entrepreneurship, work and life skills, and business opportunity identification. It will last for more than 200 working days and target 500 people, of whom 30% are Syrian refugees.

The EDP is part of an umbrella project titled, “Creating employment and improving food security in the host communities of Syrian refugees in northern and central Badia”. With funds from the Government of Japan, the project aims to tackle food insecurity in the host communities by leveraging on the agricultural potential of this area. In particular, it will help the refugees and local farmers improve methods of harvesting and processing agricultural products, and assist them in accessing markets.

Speaking at the launch of EDP, Shuichi Sakurai, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, stressed that in close coordination with the Government of Jordan and international organizations, the Government of Japan will provide support for Syrian refugees and the host communities. So far, Japan has provided approximately US$59 million to support this effort.

HE Shuichi Sakurai, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan

Christiano Pasini, UNIDO Representative to Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, reiterated the Organization’s commitment to enhancing economic empowerment of Syrian refugees and the Jordanian host community members, who have been affected by the Syrian crisis.

“The entrepreneurship development programme will provide the refugees and local farmers with learning opportunities. It will not only increase their productivity and income by adding values to their agricultural products, but also prepare them to have a positive attitude towards business, which can transform their thinking from traditional farmers to creative farmers with a business mind,” said Pasini.

The project will provide another training programme focusing on technical skills needed to comply with the Global Good Agricultural Practice – the codes, standards and regulations which have been developed in recent years by the food industry and producers organizations to codify agricultural practices at farm level for a range of commodities.

Please refer to the HQ website for more detail.