On 20 July 2026, the AMAL project was launched in Jordan. The 21-month initiative is promoted by ICU – Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria, together with local partners Save the Children Jordan and Athar for Youth Development, and co-financed by the Italian Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
The project aims to support vulnerable young people and Syrian refugees, with a particular focus on women and persons with disabilities, in accessing a stable income through employment or self-employment in the governorates of Amman, Zarqa and Karak.
To achieve this objective, AMAL focuses on three complementary areas.
Training and Access to Employment
The first area focuses on training for vulnerable Syrian refugees and Jordanians, with particular attention to young people, women and persons with disabilities.
To help reduce the mismatch between labour market demand and available skills, the project will provide 100 young people with vocational training (TVET) in sectors aligned with local market needs.
The programme will also include practical training on soft and life skills, legal guidance on formal employment, Cash for Training support, paid internships, and job-matching events.
Support for Entrepreneurship and MSMEs
The second area focuses on supporting entrepreneurship and local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
AMAL will support 30 MSMEs through direct financial assistance, as well as financial, technical and legal support. Training on Business & Human Rights (BHR) and awareness-raising sessions on green finance will also be provided.
These activities aim to promote the creation of sustainable and inclusive employment opportunities.
Engaging the Public and Private Sectors and Community-Based Organisations
Employment inclusion also requires social and cultural change to address stigma, prejudice and discrimination.
For this reason, the project will engage public and private sector actors, local organisations and communities through training activities for Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and local cooperatives, awareness-raising campaigns and media activities.
Dialogue platforms bringing together public institutions, NGOs and private sector actors will also be established to address legal and structural barriers to employment inclusion and promote systemic change.
Over the next 21 months, AMAL will implement these activities in the governorates of Amman, Zarqa and Karak, engaging individuals, businesses and local stakeholders.
Follow ICU’s channels for the latest updates and news on the AMAL project.
