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A Stronger Partnership for Children: EU and UNICEF Invest in Education, Protection and Opportunity in Jordan

The European Union and UNICEF have built a longstanding partnership in Jordan to support vulnerable children, young people and their families through inclusive education, child protection and social services.

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© European Union, 2026

Building on years of collaboration, the EU is investing EUR 37 million in three complementary initiatives that aim to strengthen national social protection systems, improve learning outcomes, and expand opportunities for vulnerable Jordanian children, Syrian refugees and other marginalised groups to learn, develop and thrive.

Investing in stronger social protection systems

With an EU contribution of EUR 4 million, the programme "Strengthening National Systems for Inclusive Social Protection for Vulnerable Children in Jordan" helps build more resilient and sustainable national systems that promote children's learning, social skills and psychosocial wellbeing.

The initiative is expected to directly benefit 13,736 vulnerable people, while supporting evidence-based planning through a budget and investment case for UNICEF's Makani ("My Space") programme to strengthen its long-term sustainability.

Expanding education and learning opportunities

The EUR 13 million Education and Makani Programme provides vulnerable children and young people with greater access to education, learning support and skills-building opportunities.

Anwar and Mohammad's Journey in Makani Center

European Union, 2026

Twins Mohammad and Anwar, now 13, were only months old when they arrived in Za’atari Camp in northern Jordan. The twins attend their local Makani centre regularly where they learn how to read but also build other skills through activities and sports. Read their story here.

Across refugee camps, the partnership:

  • Supports nearly 30,000 students enrolled in primary and secondary education during the 2025/2026 school year, building on support provided to more than 33,500 students in 2024/2025.

  • Expands Reading Recovery and Early Grade Reading programmes, helping thousands of children strengthen foundational literacy skills.

  • Delivers age-appropriate learning, early childhood development, life skills and child protection services to 9,000 girls and boys.

  • Enables 80% of participating youth to improve transferable, digital and financial skills that support their transition to productive adulthood.

  • Improves access to education through transportation support for children, including children with disabilities, while strengthening violence prevention initiatives in schools and engaging Syrian volunteers to support education services.

Meet Rawan, a 11-year-old student benefiting from EU-UNICEF supported transportation and learning opportunities in Jordan.

Supporting learning recovery in vulnerable schools

The Schools Teaching for Learning Recovery (ST4LR) programme, supported by an EU contribution of EUR 20 million, aims to improve learning outcomes in Jordan's most vulnerable schools.

  • Reaching 20,000 children through Reading Recovery and 40,000 children through accelerated mathematics programmes.
  • Helping at least 80% of participating students achieve measurable improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy.
  • Training 1,800 teachers in inclusive teaching methods, remedial education, positive discipline and child protection, strengthening classroom practices and creating safer learning environments.
  • Promoting stronger engagement between schools, parents and communities across 300 schools.
  • Introducing Early Warning Systems to identify and support students at risk of dropping out.

A shared commitment to every child

Europe as a reliable partner

Follow the link to learn more about Europe's Offer and discover stories reflecting the core principle of EU foreign policy: lasting stability is built through reliable partnerships.

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European Union, 2026