LocationsYouth Leading Water Innovation for Climate Security in Northern Jordan
February 25, 2025
Scaling up Water Innovation for Climate Security in Northern Jordan
Youth have long been recognized as catalysts of transformative change. Their creativity, energy, and innovative potential are critical in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. In Jordan—a nation grappling with severe water scarcity and the escalating effects of climate change—young people are emerging as leaders in resilience and innovation. The "Scaling up Water Innovation for Climate Security in Northern Jordan" initiative, launched by UNDP Jordan, exemplifies the impact of empowering youth to drive solutions for water security and climate resilience. This initiative marks a new era of engagement, demonstrating the crucial role of youth in tackling environmental and economic challenges.
Youth-Centric Approaches to Water Innovation
In Northern Jordan, communities face ongoing challenges related to resource shortages, climate stress, and rising unemployment. With more than 60% of the population under the age of 30 and youth unemployment critically high, addressing these issues requires a dual focus on environmental sustainability and economic empowerment.
Youth-centric initiatives, like the "Scaling up Water Innovation" project—funded by a USD 570,000 SIDA grant under the SDG-Climate Facility—prioritize young people's ideas, leadership, and aspirations. This project leverages youth-led innovation to address Jordan’s water crisis while fostering economic opportunities. Given that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) constitute 95% of all businesses in Jordan, the initiative also plays a crucial role in strengthening entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable growth.
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Embedding Youth Leadership at Every Stage
From its inception, the project was designed to integrate youth leadership at every phase. Over 90% of the SMEs engaged were youth-led, and 63% of beneficiaries were young people. During the assessment phase, the project mapped university students and youth-led organizations active in sustainability and innovation, providing a platform for them to propose solutions rooted in their communities' realities.
Youth leadership was at the heart of project implementation, spearheaded by a young leader from UNDP’s environmental team specializing in water resources. A standout feature was the hackathon challenge, where seven youth-led SMEs collaboratively developed solutions to combat water scarcity and climate challenges. This platform enabled participants to showcase their ingenuity while gaining critical skills for impact-driven entrepreneurship.
Through targeted capacity-building programs, 25 startups received training in financial modelling, customer development, and value proposition design. More than skill-building exercises, these sessions equipped youth-led enterprises to pilot transformative solutions. Additionally, seven youth-driven SMEs specializing in water and agriculture translated their ideas into tangible innovations, directly addressing pressing community needs.
The project also capitalized on technology, with young participants integrating advanced tools like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle water-sector challenges. To ensure long-term sustainability, SMEs trained beneficiaries in system maintenance and operation, fostering a culture of innovation-driven impact.
Scaling Impact: Youth-Led Innovations in Action
The project has catalyzed a wave of innovation, with seven youth-led SMEs introducing groundbreaking solutions to water and agricultural challenges across Northern Jordan.
Smart WTI and Smart Green for AgriTech Solutions revolutionized water management by integrating AI and IoT technologies, reducing water consumption by up to 20% and improving agricultural productivity at the household level. Senara, Green On, and iPlant have reimagined urban and rural landscapes through hydroponic systems, green wall solutions, and vertical farming units. These innovations enhance resource efficiency, boost agricultural productivity, and create economic opportunities while strengthening food security.
Al Yaqout for Agricultural Investments and KeyLife Electronics introduced optimal irrigation techniques and soil management absorbents, enabling farmers to conserve water and reduce costs.
These youth-driven solutions are not just tackling environmental challenges; they are creating new economic opportunities, proving that sustainability and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. Every drop of water saved, every field rejuvenated, tells the story of a generation determined to overcome adversity.
Inspiring Young Leaders and Future Changemakers
The success of these enterprises reflects the passion, innovation, and determination of Jordan's youth. Armed with digital expertise, cutting-edge tools, and a fresh perspective, young entrepreneurs are leading their communities toward sustainable solutions. Through training, mentorship, and real-world application, the project has empowered young people not just to seek jobs—but to create them.
By fostering a culture of collaboration and technological innovation, these young leaders are driving change in their communities and shaping a more resilient future for Jordan. Their efforts ensure that the ripple effects of the "Scaling up Water Innovation" initiative will be felt for generations, marking a significant step forward in sustainable development and youth empowerment.
Young people are the catalysts of sustainable development, embodying innovation, energy, and resilience. Empowering them with the tools, opportunities, and platforms to lead is essential for shaping a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.Randa Aboul-Hosn, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan.
About the SDG-Climate Facility
With financial support from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), the ‘SDG-Climate Facility: Climate Action for Human Security’ project, is a multi-partner platform focusing on the impacts of climate change on human security in the Arab region, especially in the context of countries in crisis.
It brings the UN Development Programme (UNDP) together with the League of Arab States (LAS), the Arab Water Council (AWC), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI), and the UN Human Settlement Programme (UN Habitat), to deliver climate-oriented solutions that address climate challenges, and to bring co-benefits across the SDGs. In doing so, it aims to scale up access to climate finance, through innovative partnerships with the private sector.
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