Japanese Embassy holds seminar in Amman to promote grassroots grant program

The Japanese Embassy in Amman organized a seminar on March 8, to further promote a Japanese grant program and acquaint would-be recipients on the eligibility requirements and the aims and nature of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) attended by by Her Excellency Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Mrs. Suhair Al Ali.

The assistance is designed to be flexible, timely and with a direct impact at the grassroots level.

Her Excellency Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Mrs. Suhair Al Ali highlighted in her opening speech the importance of the cooperation and partnership between the Jordanian government and the Japanese and the real significance of such funds and grants in developing the local communities and said" these fund and grants has been always the best support and aid in which it comes parallel with our vision at the ministry of planning which really participate in the growth of our societies, so thank you to the Japanese government and for its leading role in past decades"

In his remarks at the seminar, Charge d'Affair at the Japanese Embassy Mr. Matahiro Yamaguchi said that Japan has for the past years opened direct channels with organizations working in the field, stressing that these organizations are closer to the actual needs of local communities.

He said, "We have cooperated with local government bodies, NGOs and other organizations to define and address the diverse and direct needs of local communities, especially in underdeveloped areas."

He added that in the past 12 years, around a hundred projects received Japanese assistance under the scheme, which "undoubtedly...achieved tangible results that made a difference in the lives of ordinary Jordanians and have indeed acquired an excellent reputation because it provides flexible and timely support for development projects at the grassroots level."

He remarked that Japan and Jordan have for the past decades fostered significant partnership, noting that over the past 30 years, Japan offered Jordan aid worth around $3 billion.

The GGP, he said, has helped help local organizations offer better care for the elderly, further empower women and improve primary education and health care services.

"We are looking forward to receiving and supporting more feasible ideas that would have a direct impact on the lives of people at the grassroots level," he told the audience.

The Amman seminar is one of three such events on the agenda of the embassy to promote the program. On March 22, a similar workshop will be held at the Qanater resort in Irbid, and a week later, on March 29, the southern town of Maan will host the third seminar at the premises of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development's Princess Basma Center.

Attendants of the three gatherings include senior officials, media representatives and potential and existing recipients of the grants.
On the sidelines of the activities, participants in the Amman seminar paid a visit to the General Trade Union of Workers in Textiles, Garment & Clothing Industries, while in Maan a visit is scheduled to the South Society for Special Education, which is one of the many organizations that have received Japanese assistance.

The GGP is part of Japan's Overseas Development Assistance to Jordan and other countries and has been ongoing in the Kingdom for several years.
For her part,MRS. Muna Nijmeh from the embassy's Economic Section said that the focus is on local organizations because they are very well aware of the needs of residents in the targeted areas, adding that the size of grants awarded under this program totaled $5.6 million.