Ten municipalities in Zarqa, Irbid and Amman governorates have been selected through a competitive process to partner with the USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (LENS) to promote economic growth in their communities.
The municipalities are: Azraq, Dulail, Hashmeyeh and Greater Zarqa in Zarqa Governorate; Tabaqet Fahel, Muath Bin Jabal, Shou’la and Mazar in Irbid Governorate; and Na’ur and Amreyya in Amman Governorate.
The USAID LENS project will work with the municipalities to attract investment and encourage the growth of small businesses; provide technical assistance for micro- and small enterprises (MSEs) in sectors with high-growth-potential; help microfinance institutions develop financing tools to serve MSEs, and; strengthen local institutions and promote public-private partnerships through a USAID LENS grant fund.
The 10 municipalities will also be part of a program that links them with communities in the U.S. for knowledge-sharing exchanges.
The participating municipalities were selected through a competitive application process based on five criteria: community socio-economic status; potential for robust growth of MSEs within the community; municipality willingness to contribute human, financial and material resources to advance economic growth; demonstrated commitment to cooperation and engagement; and alignment with Jordan’s national socio-economic development priorities.