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FIDA celebrates 10 years of empowering local communities

By Dana Al Emam - Nov 19,2014 - Last updated at Nov 19,2014

AMMAN — Time used to hang heavy on Enass Qudah’s hands, but not after she learned how to paint on glass, create handicrafts using old magazines and make jam and vinegar.

“I have always felt a need to develop my potentials and become a producer instead of just a consumer in my family,” she told The Jordan Times on Wednesday, noting that she now makes up to JD500 per month from selling her handmade products.

Qudah, a member of the Badia Women Association, is among several women who attended training courses held by the Finland International Development Agency (FIDA) over the past two years.

“FIDA has always helped me and other women market our products in exhibitions and bazaars in Amman,” she told The Jordan Times at an event marking 10 years of FIDA’s presence in Jordan.

The agency encourages residents of underprivileged areas to develop their lives in a comprehensive and sustainable way, in partnership with local organisations and communities, FIDA Project Coordinator in Jordan Katya Koykka told The Jordan Times in a recent interview.

At Wednesday’s event, Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan said efficient development is based on economic, social, environmental, cultural and political elements, all achieved in a climate of peace.

“Development… goes beyond race, colour, social class, religion, nationality, age and sex,” Abu Hassan said, adding that nations across the world should work hand-in-hand to spread peace.

Finland has allocated around $52 million to finance development projects in Jordan over a five-year-period that started in 2012, according to Liisa Maunula, minister counsellor at the embassy of Finland in Jordan.

“Finland supports development in Jordan mainly through regional programmes that target fostering democracy, strengthening civil society, gender equality, good governance and human rights,” she said.

Maunula highlighted women’s empowerment as a crucial factor in sustaining long-term development.

“Enhancing gender equality leads to more inclusive economic growth; it boosts competitiveness; it builds trust in institutions; it improves lives of all citizens... this has been amply proven in many comparative studies,” she noted.

FIDA International Development Cooperation Manager Olli Pitkanen said cooperation between the agency and the ministry over the past 10 years has created “a strong link” between Finland and Jordan.

“[The Finnish government’s] financial support to Jordan through FIDA International has had an important impact for the unprivileged communities of this precious country where we celebrate today.” 

He added that FIDA has been working with local communities in underprivileged areas and provided them with vocational training, awareness campaigns on healthcare and courses on communication skills based on their needs.

Noting that a FIDA initiative has recently concluded in Karak Governorate, he said there are ongoing projects in the capital’s Sahab and Hai Nazzal neighbourhoods as well as one in Jerash Governorate. 

One of the largest NGOs in Finland, FIDA’s activities started in 1974 and it is currently carrying out around 50 development programmes in some 30 countries.

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