Amman, Aug. 20 (Petra) – The British Council in Jordan has launched the 2025-2026 phase of its “Youth Connect” program in Ma’an, Zarqa and Al-Hashimiyah, it said on Wednesday.

The launch comes under partnership agreements with the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) and Naya Community Network, as part of efforts to support youth participation in community and civic life.

The program aims to equip young people with values-based skills, promote teamwork and community service, and encourage joint action with policymakers and stakeholders to achieve positive and sustainable change, the council said.

It will also build youth capacities, strengthen social responsibility, and create platforms for interaction and collective initiatives to address local challenges.

“This project aligns with JOHUD’s mission to invest in Jordanian youth and enable them to play a greater role in comprehensive and sustainable development,” said JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani, praising the partnership with the British Council.

British Council Country Director Alexander Lambert said the initiative underscores the council’s commitment to empowering young people as active leaders in their communities. “Investing in youth is an investment in a more inclusive and prosperous future,” he said.

The council’s head of youth and civil society programs, Marah Daloul, stressed the importance of expanding the program to new areas, while Naya’s Director General Rafat Badran said it provides a platform for leadership, inclusivity and social justice.

The first phase of the project reached six areas, including Shoubak, Tafileh, Zarqa, Madaba, Jerash and Amman, engaging more than 1,000 young men and women, 60% of whom were female and 3% people with disabilities. It supported 26 collective initiatives tackling employment, climate change, tourism, women’s participation in the labor market, arts and culture.

To ensure sustainability, a local alumni network was created to exchange expertise, promote community entrepreneurship and link youth at local and regional levels.

//Petra// AF
20/08/2025 20:37:46