projects

Integrated Community Development "Core Group"

In 1999, ZENID began the implementation of a programme that enhances the role and skills of women in various communities. The women represent a strong nationwide network of over 120 women volunteers. The aim of the project is to help women groups contribute further towards the development of their respective local communities, through building their skills and capacities, as well as strengthening access to their entitlements

Throughout the past five years, ZENID provided training, coaching and technical assistance for the groups of women on various topics they highlighted as a priority. As a result, the women designed action plans according to the priorities of their own communities and implemented projects that meet the needs at the local level. With the aim of sustainability, the women groups identified three areas of focus in 2005-Sahab, Mafraq and Ajloun. These areas lacked adequate services, projects and resources for the local community. The women core group conducted a participatory needs assessment, prioritised the issues and formulated plans of action.

In Sahab as an example, the core group through their participatory rapid appraisal illustrated the high unemployment issue. They further noted that the major factor behind the increasing number of redundancies in Sahab is the lack of awareness among workers of their legal rights. The Qualified Industrial Cities (QIC) in Sahab provides enormous work opportunities. However, only a small number of people in the Sahab area benefit, as most of the jobs are taken up by migrant workers. In response to this challenge, the core group with the guidance of ZENID established the Sahab Youth Employability Centre. The QIC met with ZENID and the core group to discuss these issues and encouraged the idea. At the same time, they were keen to be partners in the process. Unemployment is not a pressing issue solely for Sahab, but rather a national issue that affects thousands of young graduates across the Kingdom. ZENID aims to replicate this model based on lessons learnt to other areas of the Kingdom.