The United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Japan have launched the Community Security Grants Programme in Aqaba, marking a new milestone under an existing US$1 million initiative aimed at strengthening community security, enhancing socio-economic resilience, and expanding opportunities for young people across the governorate. Announced on 16 December 2025, the programme focuses on empowering communities and addressing the underlying drivers of vulnerability, unemployment, and social instability in southern Jordan.
Central to the initiative is a competitive community grants mechanism that enables local civil society organizations to design and implement youth-led, community-based projects aligned with Aqaba’s evolving economic landscape. Up to US$500,000 will be distributed through grants to support more than 30 community-based organizations, equipping young women and men with practical, market-relevant skills in areas such as tourism, environmental sustainability and the green economy, digital resilience, and creative innovation, with the aim of improving employability and fostering entrepreneurship.
Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented in partnership with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and the Aqaba Governorate, the programme is expected to directly benefit 500 young people and reach an estimated 2,500 indirect beneficiaries. By investing in youth capacities and strengthening the role of local institutions, the initiative seeks to enhance social cohesion, prevent juvenile delinquency, and contribute to safer and more resilient communities in Aqaba.
The programme builds on Japan’s longstanding collaboration with UNDP in Jordan to promote inclusive growth and support at-risk youth and women. It forms part of a broader effort to mitigate juvenile crime, strengthen community security, and expand sustainable livelihood opportunities, reinforcing UNDP’s commitment to empowering local actors and nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators.
