As part of the Heart of Amman Programme, and through the generous support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), UNDP launched  in September 2020 the “Enhance the self-reliance and inclusion prospects of displaced-affected communities in Amman” project (Vulnerable Iraqi and Host Communities). The 18 months project aims to  sustain and enhance self-reliance and inclusion prospects as well as social cohesion of vulnerable Jordanians and Iraqi displaced-affected communities, with special attention to youth and women living in Down town Amman and surrounding areas (i.e. Al Madina District - focusing on Down Town and Al Hashimi Al Shamali areas-; Al Yarmouk District -focusing on Asharafieh and Al Misdar areas; Jabal Amman and Jabal al Webdeh)

The project has two main objectives:

1. Strengthened constructive and effective socio-economic participation of Iraqi Refugees/Migrants and Jordanians in the development of their local communities
2. Increased employment and self-employment opportunities for Iraqi Refugees/Migrants and Jordanians in the promising economic sectors.

UNDP has partnered with Collateral Repair Project (CRP) for the implementation of the first outcome of the project. Activities under this outcome include: community organizing, community advocacy, urban revitalization, and psychosocial support activities.

As part of the project activities, 30 beneficiaries will be selected to form 3 Community Committees (CC), operating respectively in the 3 project areas. The CC will be trained to address the challenges in the local services, built environment, access to public services and improve neighborhood and citizen-centric solutions to problems through a participatory approach led by community representatives and advocates. The composition of the CC will be inclusive and balanced to include 50% Iraqis,50% Jordanians, with at least 30% women and 50% youth (age 18-29) as well as representation for persons with disabilities. The CC members will undergo intensive training on social media skills, dialogue and advocacy campaign management, leadership and needs assessment, networking and coordination. They will work closely with CRP and UNDP to steer the community advocacy  agenda,  reach out to community members to communicate and exchange critical  information as well as work with the relevant stakeholders on developing solutions to identified problems within the targeted areas and communities in downtown Amman and surrounding neighborhoods. Stakeholders will include local authorities, government organizations, the private sector, development partners, and the donor community. Roundtable discussions will help develop an advocacy paper on the main needs and challenges facing Iraqi refugees/migrants and Jordanian host communities.

CC members will also support the implementation of 10 community-led urban revitalization initiatives in the project neighborhoods as well as provide psyco-social support activities for community members affected by social and economic exclusion as a result of forced migration and/or displacement.

The implementation of the second outcome will soon be rolled-out.

To support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national development objectives, the Heart of Amman Programme works closely with a number of national partners including the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), the Ministry of Digital Economic and Entrepreneurship, CSOs as well as the private sector.