Sawn’s Future Youth Leaders
With support from the Education Above All Foundation, the climate action programme unlocks young people’s potential
The UNICEF-supported Sawn programme equips young people with knowledge, tools and skills they need to engage in climate advocacy and action. It starts with extensive training and capacity building, and ends with the Sawn leaders designing and leading climate-related advocacy initiatives in Jordan’s 12 governorates.
Meet some of the young people attending the north region training.
Saja, 19, traveled alone to Amman for the first time to join the Sawn training. From a small village in Irbid, Saja is determined to create change in her community. “While I’m currently unable to go to university, I wanted something that would truly challenge me and give me the tools to make a difference,” Saja says, explaining why she chose to join the programme.
“Being part of SAWN is changing how I see my role in the world: I want to be its defender.”
Noor Eldin volunteers because he believes solutions are found together. Through SAWN he learned how Jordan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement touch everyday sectors — water, waste, agriculture — and now dreams of launching an initiative to fight deforestation and pollution back home in Irbid.
“A leader is someone who takes responsibility, manages pressure, and supports their team both emotionally and professionally.”
Marah’s passion is supporting people with autism. Through SAWN she connected that work to climate action, learning how rising heat and water scarcity hit people with disabilities hardest, and resolving to prove that inclusion belongs in every environmental effort.
“I want to help change misconceptions around people with disabilities and ensure that everyone is included in our environmental efforts.”
An entrepreneur and software engineer, Abdulrahman built an electric bike and a platform for small businesses before turning his attention to water scarcity and waste. SAWN, he says, gave him the tools to lead a team and turn ideas into initiatives that matter.
“I joined SAWN because it's a platform to apply my entrepreneurial skills to real-world environmental problems.”
Rotana, 21, grew up among the green hills of the north. Watching the dam’s water turn murky and the forests shrink felt like watching the land lose its life. SAWN gave her a name for what she wanted to become: a climate leader who can help protect the greenery.
“I want to see that beauty return.”
