Near East Foundation

Period: 2010-2011
Primary Donor(s): Canadian International Development Agency/Gender Support Fund

Jordanian women’s business associations and NGOs play a crucial role in reducing gender gaps and increasing women’s participation in the development of their society. There are already many such organizations in the country, but due to limited resources and cultural norms against women’s professional training, most of them lack the financial, business, and management skills they would require to improve substantively the economic condition of their members. NEF’s Business Management Capacity-Building for Women-Managed NGOs project addresses these knowledge gaps by providing training, mentorship, and technical assistance to participating female-run NGOs.

Each NGO received individually tailored instruction in cost accounting, business plan development, and other subjects that resulted in the development of strategic plans for each NGO. Follow-up assessments and exchange visits between participating NGOs have allowed them to learn from best practices. The first phase in 2010 focused on women's associations in the cities of Jerash and Ajloun. Beginning in early 2011, we will expand activities into the rural Mafraq Governorate in northern Jordan.