The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has hosted a closing ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of the EU-funded project supporting livelihoods in the Mafraq Governorate in the north of Jordan, particularly in the Zaatari refugee camp, with a focus on environmental best practices in solid waste management and waste water management.

The project, launched in January 2016, supported the creation of green-jobs through the generation of renewable energy and production of compost from waste in a refugee camp environment. It has enhanced the economic growth of the local economy in the Mafraq Governorate through private sector enterprise development, improved livelihoods and promotion of environmental sustainability and green jobs opportunities. Furthermore, the optimization of residue use from treated wastewater and organic solids allows for the generation of renewable energy and compost and, simultaneously, provides opportunities for at least 60 vulnerable households that can secure a regular income from the biogas, solid waste separation and the compost plants.

EU Ambassador H.E. Maria Hadjitheodosiou noted that “this project has demonstrated the importance of combining national development needs with refugees’ needs. We should build on the success of projects like this that can serve as examples of developing exit strategies and opportunities, from pilot projects addressing refugee and local community needs, to comprehensive national projects that can meet the ambitions and expectations of all communities across Jordan.”

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Press release

EU Delegation to Jordan – website and Facebook page