Japan holds conference to introduce grant assistance for grassroots projects

By JT - Oct 03,2019 - Last updated at Oct 03,2019

AMMAN — The Japanese embassy in Jordan introduced the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) at a conference on Wednesday.

Several representatives of municipalities, international and local NGOs and charitable hospitals attended the conference, according to an embassy statement.

The conference, held for the first time in Jordan, aims to help municipalities and NGOs better understand the GGP scheme as the embassy “recognized it hasn’t reached” the organizations “committed but struggling to serve our communities”.

Ahmad Allouzi, Chairman of Friendship Association of the Blind, and Bassam Daniel Anis, executive director of the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection, which have completed three and four projects through the GGP respectively, were also invited to share their experience with Japanese grant and tips for sustainable projects, according to the statement.

The GGP was established with “the goal to achieve a world where no one is left behind and all people can live with peace of mind by promptly holding out a hand to every single person in every corner”, the statement read.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the GGP. It began in 32 countries and has expanded to 142 countries and regions, according to the statement.

Although it is a small scale grant, it is Japan’s “unique” assistance programme to meet the diverse needs of local communities by directly supporting the development activities run by NGOs and local governments, rather than by central governments, the statement said.

Katsuhiko Araike, deputy chief of mission of the Embassy of Japan in Jordan encouraged attendees to apply for the GGP, expressing hopes that the grant will serve Jordanian communities in need.

This year the GGP marks its 26th anniversary in Jordan. Through the GGP, Japan has extended more than $10 million for 147 projects to NGOs, schools, hospitals and local governments in Jordan, the statement concluded.

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