Employment-intensive maintenance and upkeep in public spaces (Phase II: Public schools, in Jordan)

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The Jordanian government estimates that around 1.3 million of the 6.7 million Syrian refugees are in Jordan. In September 2023, around 650,000 (around 50% children) were registered with the UNHCR. In addition, there are Palestine refugees and refugees from other countries such as Iraq, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia. The majority of refugees in Jordan do not live in camps, but in host communities, with the largest number of Syrian refugees living in the northern governorates. The Jordanian labor market was already characterized by structural problems before the outbreak of the Syrian war. Unemployment remains high, even though the economy recovered from the Covid-19 crisis in 2021. There is a lack of income opportunities for both vulnerable Jordanians and refugees. These developments are leading to increasing tensions between and within population groups. With regard to the education sector, around 400 schools were already operating in double shifts before the Syrian crisis. The high number of refugees as a result of the Syrian crisis has exacerbated this situation. According to UNHCR, 50% of refugees are under 17 years old. The lifespan of schools is significantly shortened by overuse. This effect is exacerbated by the fact that Jordan does not have a functioning cleaning, maintenance and repair system for public schools. The result is that schools are in poor condition just a few years (sometimes months) after they have been opened. By creating short-term employment opportunities for up to 12,000 beneficiaries, the project aims to help improve the living conditions of needy Syrian refugees and Jordanians as well as the learning environment at up to 390 public schools in Jordan in the short term. The project has a duration of 60 months.