German Ambassador to Jordan explores innovative afforestation efforts in Al Koora Irbid

Germany supports the Employment Intensive Investment Program (EIIP) project with 18 million euros for the duration of 24 months. This program aims to generate income through short term decent paid employment and contribute to improving the environment. Moreover, it provides young Jordanians and Syrians with suitable skills to facilitate their access to long term job opportunities. The project is implemented by the International Labour Organization in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Local Administration, Ministry of Labor, and several municipalities.

Dr. Bertram von Moltke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Jordan, visited afforestation activities in Al Koora Irbid. The Ambassador was introduced to the cocoon technology used in plantation. He met with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and interacted with Jordanian and Syrian workers.

© ILO / April 2024, Jordan

The funding for the afforestation component with the Ministry of Agriculture amounts to JOD 2,4 million with a timeline of 16 months. The component is generating 1,250 job opportunities of a duration of 3 month for Jordanians and Syrians. These jobs include planting 100,000 trees in 3,450 dunams in Al Koora area in Irbid governate and in Kofranjeh in Ajloun governorate, rehabilitation of two forests in Bani Kenanah in Irbid governorate as well as nurseries in Irbid and AlBalqa. The Ministry of Agriculture will install 9,000 meters of fencing material to protect the seedlings which will eventually grow into new forests.

Ambassador Dr. Bertram von Moltke during his visit said: “I am impressed by how one project can at the same time contribute to the protection of the global climate, the preservation and restoration of Jordan’s scarce water resources and the development of green spaces for local communities, while creating income for those most in need and strengthening social coherence.”

Chief Technical Advisor at the ILO Shailendra Kumar Jha stated: “This project supports the Jordanian government National Afforestation Plan through Green Works. It generates green, inclusive and decent jobs and improves the living conditions for Syrian refugees and Jordanians in host communities alike. Additionally, “the project is building the capacities of national partners in the Ministry of Agriculture in Labour Based Technology, which is a key to accelerate economic growth, reduce poverty and promote social justice.”

© ILO / April 2024, Jordan

Dr. Mahmuod Al Rabie , Secretary General Assistant for Project & Rural Development , Ministry of Agriculture Jordan stated “ The EIIP Afforestation project is helping the Ministry in achieving the National Afforestation Plan goals and supporting the Ministry in learning the Labour Intensive Approach that is important to create decent jobs and improving the socio economic situation for the areas where the project is implemented”. “We are hoping to extend such activities that will improve the green activities and will affect the country positively and reduce the negative affect of climate change through afforestation activities by Jordanians and Syrians hands”

The EIIP project started in 2016 in Jordan in response to the Syrian crisis to support the Jordanian Government in addressing the challenges related to the Syrian influx. It focuses on creating short term employment opportunities, improving infrastructure and environmental conditions, and providing youth with relevant skills to improve their longer-term job prospects. 

The project is inclusive for Jordanian, Syrians, men, women, and Persons with disability.