Royal initiative launched to empower communities in Jerash

AMMAN — A Royal initiative to support and empower local communities in Jerash was launched on Tuesday at the Royal Court, with the aim of improving the living conditions and incomes of underprivileged families through helping them own productive projects.

Royal Court Secretary General Yousef Issawi, head of the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives, said that the initiative is in line with His Majesty King Abdullah's continuous endeavours to enhance the concepts of sustainable development, equal opportunities and justice in distributing development resources among governorates. 

These concepts can be realised through empowering civil community institutions and encouraging them to boost their contributions in serving local communities, Issawi added, as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

He noted that the initiative complements relevant government efforts that seek to provide opportunities to underprivileged families to improve their incomes, expecting 200 households to benefit from each phase of the initiative. 

Issawi said that similar initiatives were launched over the past two years in Mafraq, Zarqa, Madaba, Balqa, Tafileh and Ajloun, noting that this initiative will be implemented in cooperation with 12 associations in Jerash to help reach targeted families.

Also speaking at the launching ceremony, Social Development Minister Hala Lattouf highlighted the importance of the initiative in improving living conditions of the targeted families.

Hana Shaheen, executive director of the Queen Noor Foundation, said that the Royal Court tasked the foundation with implementing the initiative, where grant agreements were signed with the 12 charity associations to administrate loan funds.

The 12 associations were selected through a committee of stakeholders, where targeted families will receive necessary training and funds to establish or develop their projects, Shaheen added.

At the end of the ceremony, agreements were signed with the associations, under which they will receive the grants presented by the Royal Court.