The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a resource limited country. There are plenty of problems in the region that should be solved. Some of these problems relate to the unpredictable increase in population growth in addition to the high percentage of refugee influx. These factors lead to environmental pollution due to the increasing volumes of solid waste, emissions, sludge and waste-water that stressed Jordan’s natural resources and its ability to provide services to meet the increasing demands. For these reasons, the government of Jordan made several international contracts aimed at protecting Jordan’s environment and natural resources.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is among the main dynamic players that collaborate closely with The Ministry of Environment (MOENV) to bolsters the water sector through reinforcing environmental fields which are not at the core of the water sector but influenced by the management of water resources in the country. In this respect, GIZ has initiated a programme dubbed “Protection of the Environment and Biodiversity in Jordan (PROTEB) and was discussed in a meeting held on the 28th of August, 2013.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Natatalija El Hage, GIZ Director, H.R.H Basma Bint Ali, Ms Barbara Schweiger, Head of GIZ & MoEnv, Ms. Ebba Augustin, facilitator in addition to representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME) represented by Mr. Munqeth Mehyar (Chairperson and Jordanian Director) and Mr. Abdul Rahman Sultan, Sharhabil Bin Hassneh Ecopark SHE Director) joined hands with Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), the Royal Department for Environmental Protection (RDEP), the Royal Marine Conservation Society (RMCS), the Royal Botanic Garden (RBG), and the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education (dvv International) to meet the set objectives.
Objective
The main objective of the programme is to increase the awareness and enrich responsible actions of the Jordanian population to protect the environment and the biodiversity of the kingdom according to GIZ.
The Jordanian (NGOs) playing an essential role towards achieving environmental activities in the country along with the Ministry of Environment will be strengthened for the purpose of implementing ratified international conventions as well as the management of natural and protected areas.
Areas of Activities:
The programme will focus on the following areas:
-Protection of natural resources
-Protection of biodiversity
-Awareness raising, education and capacity development
-Reduction of waste and increase of recycling
-Advocacy and implementation of law
-Vocational training and environmentally friendly job creation
Approach:
The ministry of environment and selected NGOs through GIZ will receive support based on mutually identified needs. The fields vary and include areas such as leadership, or in the technical field such as recycling.
The support of GIZ will be offered through the secondment of international technical experts and the NGOs in respective fields for a period of at least 2 years. A further focus will be improvement of communication, cooperation and networks between NGOs according to GIZ.
Impact:
The programme will focus on public attitude and behavioral change amongst the Jordanian population towards environmental issues. This will be conducted through enhancing and introducing innovative environmental practices.
The programme also aims at achieving the following:
-Strengthening the communication between the MoENV and the partner environmental non-governmental organization
-Increasing the knowledge and education towards environmental concern and providing training opportunities.
-Conducting a biannual monitoring forum which determines the degree of adaptation of the communicated measures on the environment and biodiversity.
This post was contributed by FoEME’s intern Maram Ja’afreh at the Amman office.
Revised and edited by FoEME’s Media Officer & Project Coordinator Samar M. Salma at the Amman Office.