Ammon News - Heart of Amman II, a programme funded by the government of Japan to improve the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable individuals and communities, has engaged hundreds of beneficiaries in entrepreneurship-focused community projects.

The programme is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Business Development Centre (BDC) in partnership with the Greater Amman Municipality and the National Microfinance Bank, according to a BDC statement.

The programme reached out to 500 beneficiaries to train 400 of them in employment opportunities in different sectors, the statement said.

The programme targets unemployed men and women between the ages of 18 and 40.

The programme included two main pillars. The first pillar involves youth proposals for entrepreneurial projects. A specialised committee then reviews the proposals and selects 25-30 of them to receive training and startup loans.

The second pillar involves vocational training for youth. The youth who receive the training are matched with employment opportunities across sectors.

Several job fairs were organised in cooperation with the chambers of industry and trade to match youth with potential opportunities.

Hind Abu Shanab, a beneficiary, said that before attending the programme she had given up on a job search.

“However, the training helped me discover how to adapt to the work environment,” she said.

Nayef Istatieh, the CEO of BDC, said that the Heart of Amman II “directs youth towards social responsibility and entrepreneurial thinking and at the same time challenges and confronts economic and social obstacles. The aim is to harness the inner power of youth to innovate and create opportunities.”