With around 1.4 million Syrian and 75,000 Iraqi refugees living in Jordan, unemployment rates in the country are high. Despite this, around 70% of the workforce is employed by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which means the potential for growth is strong. With help from local partners, SPARK provides higher (vocational) education opportunities to Syrian and Jordanian young people, and is bridging the employment gap for graduates with a strong internship programme connected to private sector companies. SPARK is also supporting SMEs to grow and expand, creating jobs for the next generation of youth.
Programmes in this location
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active programme
Access to Education for Employment
SPARK, the Islamic Development Bank and the Sheikh Abdullah Al Nouri Charity Society support Syrian youth in Syrian Interim Government…
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active programme
Economic Resilience through COVID-19
In order to safeguard jobs, during and after the coronavirus crisis, SPARK and the Qatar Fund for Development are extending…
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active programme
Higher Education Services (HES)
SPARK is the largest provider of scholarships for Syrian refugees in the Middle East. The HES programme started by responding…
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active programme
Internships and work for Syrian youth
SPARK and the Dutch National Postcode Lottery are creating new routes for youth to enter employment or entrepreneurship.
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active programme
Jobs and Perspectives
Finding a stable job or starting a business is a huge challenge for young people in the Middle East, especially…
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active programme
Market-driven Curriculum for Education and Jobs
Our programme with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development develops new curricula, boosts entrepreneurship and places 150 student…
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active programme
Tadamon
The Tadamon programme, supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) aims to contribute to the immediate and medium-term efforts to…
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inactive programme
Entrepreneurship and Business Development Activities (EBDA)
EBDA, meaning ‘begin’ in Arabic, supports Syrian entrepreneurship in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan by guiding young Syrian refugees to start…
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inactive programme
Improving Employment Opportunities (IEO)
Jordan hosts the second highest share of refugees (per capita) in the world. Therefore, SPARK promotes job creation in Jordan…

““يعتمد الاقتصاد الأردني على الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة. هنا تكمن أهمية هذا البرنامج””
واجهت Acrylic and More تحديات غير متوقعة بسبب COVID-19. ساعدتهم المنحة المالية والتدريب المتخصص على إطلاق موقع التجارة الإلكترونية الخاص بها وحماية موظفيها وخلق فرص عمل جديدة.

“Jordan’s economy is based on SMEs: this programme is essential”
Acrylic and More struggled during COVID-19, and they faced unexpected challenges. Financial grant, customised coaching, and mentoring have helped the company launch its e-commerce website, safeguard its employees, and create new job opportunities.
- Location
- Jordan
- Services
- SME Coaching

“The video game industry is serious in the MENA region”
In the fastest growing video games market in the Middle East, Jordan’s Chickmania - a leader in interactive mobile game development - has plans to expand globally. Customised coaching, mentoring and staff training has helped the company set a clear pathway for growth, and now their games have 50K active daily users.
- Location
- Jordan
- Services
- SME Coaching

“Our products will reach every home in the world within ten years”
Three innovative and creative entrepreneurs put their talents together to found Amman Shield Company, which designs space-saving furniture. “Life has changed; people can no longer afford large apartments. We think outside the box to make people’s lives easier and more comfortable." The Jobs and Prospectives programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has supported the company with customised coaching and training sessions.
- Location
- Jordan
- Services
- SME Coaching

“I do not want the next generation to leave the land”
Meet the woman creating rural employment through her village’s rich agricultural history. Elham Alabbadi is on a mission: to combat urbanisation and encourage other young people to see their futures within the agricultural sector. Jordan’s food security may depend on it.
- Location
- Jordan
- Services
- SME Coaching
Opening pathways to employment
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300MSMEs Supported
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832Scholarships Provided
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1034Internships Offered
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4693Youth Trained
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623Graduated