The supported projects represent the continuation of local community efforts in Jordan supported by the SGP ever since it started operation back in 1992 in line with its strategic objectives of achieving global environmental benefits in the areas of biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation and persistent organic pollutants, as well as the achievement of enhanced and improved livelihoods of the local communities and their capacities to manage their natural resources.

1- Al Kitteh Village, adjacent to Dibeen Nature Reserve, west of Jerash governorate, Al Kitteh Charity Society will implement the “Role of Local Community in Integrated Management of Water and Land Resources and Improved Land Productivity in Al Kitteh Area” Project.  The project aims at improving the efficiency of water use from available springs in the project area in order to enhance irrigation of agricultural lands and improve agricultural productivity.  This will be achieved through construction and maintenance of cementlined irrigation channels, constructing rain-collection cisterns in a bid to eventually impact the environmental, socio-economic conditions of the local community of Al Kitteh.  The grant value amounts to US$ 31,100.

2- Also in the north of the Kingdom, in Jdeita village which is located between the forests of Birqish to the west and Wadi Rayyan to the east, Jdeita Charity Society will implement the “Water Harvesting and Agro-biodiversity Protection in Wadi Rayyan and Birqish Reserve” project.  The project will contribute to the conservation of the special agro-biodiversity of Wadi Rayyan, and support farmers working in the Wadi to protect their lands and maintain their agricultural products through improving the irrigation efficiency and construction of rain-collection cisterns, introduce soil conservation measures, in addition to supporting local community members to implement sustainable alternative means of livelihood such as bee-keeping.  The grant value amounts to US$ 28,000.

3- In central Jordan Valley, Um Ayyash Women Cooperative will implement the “Women in Natural Resource Management and Improved Community Livelihood in Um Ayyash/ Jordan Valley”.  The cooperative hopes to enhance public awareness of the environmental challenges in the Jordan Valley and the means to address these challenges.  For this purpose a public awareness program will be designed and implemented for farmers and local community members in the project area.  The project will also support sustainable land management practices through introducing effective irrigation systems in individual farms as well as other practices that achieve sustainable agriculture.  Another component of the project will focus on training a group of women from the cooperative members on using banana leaves in handicraft production and assisting them in marketing their products.  The Poverty Alleviation through Community Development Project (PACD) provides technical assistance to the cooperative in implementing this project.  The grant value amounts to US$ 30,200.

4- Down to the south, in Tafileh governorate, Bseira Charity Society will implement the “Agro-biodiversity Protection and Soil Conservation in Bseira/ Tafileh Governorate” which will contribute to the protection of the special ecosystem of Bseira, which is part of the fragile arid and semi-arid ecosystem of the Mediterranean, with special focus on agro-biodiversity and sustainable land management.  The project will support rehabilitation of abandoned orchards and sustainable irrigation and management of spring water, as well as support a program for rangeland alternative resources through planting forage plants, and enhance public awareness of the importance of natural resources and sustainable agricultural productivity. The grant value amounts to US$ 32,500.

5- In Al Ghuwairiyeh area in Zarqa, which suffers several environmental, social and socio-economic problems, the Soldier’s Families Welfare Society will implement the “Herbal Plants Project”.  The project involves the establishment of a small herbal plant production unit over a piece of land close to the Society’s headquarter in Al Ghuwairiyeh, train women and provide them with job opportunities, promote planting of herbal plants in the community and establish a model for sustainable land management to  other communities in the governorate.  The National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer (NCARTT) will provide the technical assistance to this project. The grant value amounts to US$ 28,200.    

6- The Royal Botanic Garden will implement the “Conservation of Vegetation Cover and Establishment of a Visitor Center at Tel Ruman Royal Botanic Garden” project.  The project involves supporting the establishment of the first botanical garden in Jordan, through setting up the visitor’s center and implementing the promotional and outreach component of the project, which will include awareness activities, displays and publications, in addition to direct participation in other activities related to the establishment and management of the garden.  The project is also supported by several national and international supporting agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Royal Marine Conservation Society (JREDS), the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).  The grant value amounts to US$ 50,000.

Signing those grant agreements, the GEF/SGP would have supported (122) projects implemented by more than 75 NGOs and local communities in various areas of the Kingdom.  The Programme is hoping to continue providing support to local communities in Jordan and addressing the new focal areas which include land degradation and persistent organic pollutants.  Planning is underway to mobilize resources for an integrated project that cover the two new focal areas in the Jordan Valley over the coming three years.