More children in Jordan back to learning thanks to US$5.8 million funding from Norway to UNICEF

AMMAN, 14 May 2018 — The Government of Norway contributed a new grant of $5.8 million to UNICEF in support of children’s access to education for all vulnerable children in Jordan, including Syrian refugee children. The new grant is part of a regional contribution from Norway to Syria’s neighboring countries.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the Government of Norway, to ensure children in Jordan get the education they need and deserve,” said UNICEF Jordan Representative Robert Jenkins. “We will continue our efforts to provide equitable access to education and learning support services to all children in Jordan.”

The contribution from Norway will continue improving children’s access to formal education in both refugee camps and host communities. Moreover, the grant will support the network of UNICEF Makani centres where children have access to learning opportunities, including learning support services.

Makani (‘My Space’ in Arabic) is a comprehensive approach initiated by UNICEF in Jordan that allows children to access multiple services under one roof. Programmes in Makani centres are designed to promote and contribute to children and young people’s full development and well-being – educational, physical, cognitive, social and emotional.

The Government of Norway has contributed a total of US$22.9 million to UNICEF since 2015, primarily for education programmes, including alternative education pathways (the Drop-Out and Catch-Up programmes) and learning support services through the network of Makani centres targeting all vulnerable children in Jordan.