Amman, Sep. 11 (Petra) – Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa emphasized the importance of partnerships with public and private sectors, civil society institutions, and non-profit organizations as effective drivers of social change and empowerment for individuals and families, particularly women and youth, fostering a culture of work, productivity, and self-reliance.
Her remarks came during the closing ceremony of the "Improving Livelihoods and Social Ties" project on Thursday, implemented by the Near East Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, several ministries, public and private institutions, civil society, and non-profit organizations.
Bani Mustafa noted that the project benefited approximately 5,000 Jordanians and Syrian refugees, with women comprising 75 percent of participants. The initiative has had a measurable impact on livelihoods and social cohesion, aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision by promoting women’s economic empowerment and motivating productive engagement.
She highlighted that the project, the first of its kind in Jordan, strengthened civil society organizations’ roles, achieved tangible outcomes, and generated success stories for beneficiaries. It focused on enhancing resilience for refugees and host communities by fostering economic and social empowerment.
The minister added that the Ministry of Social Development continues to support associations, individuals, and families with zero-interest soft loans to establish new projects and expand existing ones. These efforts have created hundreds of jobs and enabled beneficiary associations to generate sustainable investments while delivering services to local communities. The National Aid Fund, through partnerships, also provides training and qualifications to enhance beneficiaries’ skills and integrate them into the labor market.
Dalal Masalha, Director of the Near East Foundation, said the project supported more than 3,400 diverse initiatives, including agricultural, household, industrial, and craft projects. An independent evaluation indicated that nearly 98 percent of completed projects remained sustainable and income-generating nearly a year after implementation.
Masalha added that the Foundation, through the Siraj Center and charitable and cooperative societies, engaged beneficiaries across several governorates, providing financial and technical support to ensure the sustainability of their projects. She praised the high level of cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development, other ministries, and governmental and private institutions.
The ceremony featured beneficiaries’ success stories, highlighting the economic and social impact of the project on their lives. On the sidelines, Bani Mustafa inaugurated an exhibition organized by the Near East Foundation, showcasing products created by project beneficiaries.
//Petra// AJ
