The 23.65 million EUR programme, implemented from 2019 to 2023, was jointly implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Northern Ireland Cooperation Overseas (NI-CO) and Expertise France, in close partnership with the Ministry of Social Development.   included The main objective of the program was to supportsocial sector reform and the development of an equitable and inclusive society in Jordan, through the improvement and modernisation of the quality and performance of the social protection system.

The implementing partners worked together to advance Jordan’s National Vision 2025, the Human Resources Strategy 2016-2025, and the National Social Protection Strategy 2019-2025. Key milestones achieved included: support to implementing Jordan’s De-Institutionalisation Agenda, which involves transitioning persons with disabilities from residential care centres to home-based or alternative community-based settings; and support for the professionalisation of social work in Jordan by developing a career pathway for social workers through the development of draft legislation, training, and accredited curriculums at university level.

The achievements also included the rehabilitation of the Ministry’s social care centres and make them accessible, and pleasant spaces for engagement; the development of a Management Information System for the Ministry of Social Development to help automate processes and facilitate daily operations; and support to civil society organisations in the social protection sector, enabling them to play an active part in the De-Institutionalisation Agenda, and enhancing their participation in the provision of quality, inclusive and innovative social services in general.

At the event, Ambassador Hadjitheodosiou said “I believe this is one of the most important EU programs in terms of our engagement in Jordan, as it is reaching directly to people and communities supporting the development of an equitable and inclusive society in Jordan, through the improvement and modernisation of the quality and performance of the social protection system. Jordan is a pioneer in the region for its work on the De-Institutionalisation Agenda. So I encourage you all to continue moving forward with the transition plans, and preparing the ecosystem around D-I, and to not stop short until Jordan has become a model not just for the region, but for the world. I very much look forward to seeing this alternative approach to taking care of persons with disabilities showcased at the 2025 Global Disability Summit that Jordan will co-host with Germany."

The direct beneficiaries targeted through the programme were persons with disabilities, as well as women, youth, children, and other individuals requiring special services. The work accomplished with the support of the European Union under this project has established a strong foundation to enhance Jordan's social protection sector for years to come, and will be continued through the “EU Support to the Social Inclusion and Empowerment of Vulnerable Jordanians” project, which is ongoing until December 2025.

While numbers do not do justice for all of the achievements of the programme, they can help to illustrate some of the impacts on the ground. They include: Rehabilitation of 105 Ministry of Social development centres and field directorate offices; Provision of 7,600 persons with improved access to social protection services; and provision of nearly 700 computers, printers and other IT equipment to the National Aid Fund and the Ministry to help roll out digital solutions like the MIS system. They also included training of 1200 social care workers across a number of key areas including family protection, juvenile care, persons with disabilities and women’s protection, while 700 people were involved in the roll out of the De-Institutionalisation Agenda through training, awareness-raising, and care planning. A grant scheme also provided support and training to Civil Society Organizations and funded 78 different projects, involving more than 18,000 beneficiaries; and more than 150 young people joined in a Social Innovation Challenge to learn innovative methods and ideas to address social issues.

For more information about the Programme, our results and some highlights from the closing event, please visit our Facebook page.