JORDAN

Jordan has experienced rapid development and social change over the previous three decades, and continues to work towards a greater social, political and economic transformation. For over a decade, Global Communities has been helping Jordanians tackle their most pressing issues, including access to credit, economic development, civil society and child labor.

Creating Employment Opportunities for Youth

Through the MENA Youth Empowerment Strategy (MENA-YES), Global Communities, in partnership with the Caterpillar Foundation, has launched a three-year, $4.4 million program to target youth aged 15 to 29 in Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen to prepare them for the labor market and job placement. Special emphasis will be given to disadvantaged youth, low- to medium-level skilled individuals, women, peri-urban and rural youth, and individuals working in hazardous environments. The program offers technical, demand-driven training,  assistance with internship and apprenticeship placement, as well as, support for entrepreneurship and self employment activities and assistance accessing credit. Learn more, by reading the MENA-YES factsheet.

The Middle East Micro Credit Company (MEMCC)

MEMCC was established in January 2003 to provide loans to micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, and to low-income families for home improvements. MEMCC is currently Global Communities' most profitable development finance institution and it is one of the largest microfinance institutions in Jordan. The company originated in 1998 as the Southern Jordan Access to Credit Project (SJACP) with funding provided by USAID, and later evolved into the Jordan Access to Credit Program (JACP) as it expanded. Offering a diversified selection of loan products, MEMCC reaches out to a broad clientele and serves the changing needs in the market. MEMCC is a member of the Microfinance Association of Jordan and the Sanabel Microfinance Network of Arab Countries, and it is perceived as an industry expert on operations in Southern Jordan.

Jordan Loan Guaranty Facility 

With funding from USAID  to support start-up and operational expenses over a five year period, the Jordan Loan Guaranty Facility (JLGF) is a $250 million, OPIC-backed  facility designed to overcome obstacles to bank lending. By coupling loan guarantees with customized technical assistance for participating banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), the JLGF will also strengthen the capacity of the Jordanian financial services sector to continue serving the credit needs of the SME market in a sustainable manner. 

RECENT PROGRAMS

Combating Exploitive Child Labor through Education (CECLE)

Funded by the US Department of Labor, the goal of CECLE was to remove children from the worst forms of child labor and prevent additional children from entering into such dangerous activities, while providing them with direct educational services and other non-formal education. Through CECLE, Global Communities also strengthened policies on child labor and education and built the capacity of national institutions, raised awareness on the importance of education and supported research on child labor.

Aqaba Community and Economic Development (ACED) Program

The Aqaba region of Jordan has undergone tremendous economic growth, as a result ACED helps community-based organizations build their capacities to take advantage of these new economic opportunities and to be full participants in the development of the region. Through the program, Global Communities built the capacity of all facets of civil society by encouraging the local community to participate in development decision-making; enhancing the capacity of local civil society organizations to provide relevant services; encouraging local citizens to participate in the modern economy; and creating opportunities for interaction between citizens and private sector. To read more about the ACED program and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, visit www.aced-jordan.com