BDC launches 2nd phase Madad project in partnership with municipalities

AMMAN — The Business Development Centre (BDC) has signed memoranda of understanding with partner municipalities to implement activities within the Women's Economic Empowerment Units to promote sustainable economic development and improve livelihoods by creating job opportunities for youth.

The four-year project (2021-2024) aims to enhance women's economic participation in Jordan, funded by the European Union, by the European Union Regional Trust Fund for the Response to the Syrian Crisis "Madad Fund". The project is being implemented by a coalition led by the Euro-Mediterranean Feminist Initiative, according to a BDC statement.

Other coalition members include the BDC, the Euro-Mediterranean Feminist Initiative and Tamkeen Centre for Legal Aid and Human Rights.

It contributes to building the capacity of women's economic empowerment units, providing specialised training for employment, matching employment opportunities, ensuring technical and financial support for joint projects and home businesses, providing incentives for the private sector and teaching Jordanian and Syrian women specialised skills with which they can enter the labour market.

Secretary General at the Ministry of Local Administration Hussein Mehaidat said: "Supporting activities to enhance women's economic participation, by increasing the participation of Jordanian and Syrian women, comes under the umbrella of Madad 2 project within a pre-prepared mechanism that is implemented through various activities.”

Representative of the Euro-Mediterranean Feminist Initiative Tahani Al Saadi said: "The programme will contribute to addressing the challenges faced by women in the labour market, specifically in the private sector, in addition to raising awareness at the national and local levels in promoting a supportive social, cultural and professional environment for women's work". 

BDC General Manager Ghalib Hijazi pointed out the importance of the current pilot project in highlighting investment and the available resources owned by municipalities and public institutions in creating income-generating projects.