This post was originally published on Climate Links
Empowering Jordan’s Youth for Water Conservation and Efficiency
jschoshinski
Thu, 06/27/2024 – 13:43
Imagine a Jordan where youth champion water conservation and efficiency, securing sustainable water for future generations. This vision is becoming a reality through the USAID Water Efficiency and Conservation (WEC) Activity, which empowers young leaders to use their innovative solutions and unwavering dedication to tackle the pressing challenge of water scarcity.
Jordan has one of the youngest populations in the world while youth unemployment reached 50 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment coupled with growing distrust in institutions and civil society has created a population of young people with a negative outlook on their future. Despite these hurdles, young Jordanians are well-educated and possess a strong desire to make a positive impact in their country. Their energy and ambition are essential for addressing critical issues such as water conservation and climate change. By tapping into this potential, Jordan can leverage the creativity and commitment of its youth to drive sustainable development and ensure a resilient future.
USAID/Jordan seeks to increase the meaningful participation of the country’s youth aged 10-29 within their communities and the national economy.
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The USAID WEC Activity supports this aim in its work to enhance water use efficiency and promote conservation across Jordan by engaging youth. USAID WEC is working through youth organizations in Jordan to build water conservation leaders for today and tomorrow. By empowering young leaders and champions, USAID WEC promotes water demand management and climate change adaptation. Youth play a critical role in strengthening water sector governance, expanding water use efficiency, and increasing access to climate information. USAID WEC’s capacity-strengthening interventions recognize youth as primary consumers and active contributors to water conservation.
For example, USAID WEC is partnering with the Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides to promote water conservation practices and climate action by developing educational materials, empowering water conservation trainers, and conducting training workshops. The initiative also includes promoting the Water Conservation badge to encourage scouts and guides to educate community members and promote water-saving techniques. Scouts and guides earn the badge once they provide messages to their respective communities to promote water-saving practices that can be adopted in homes, schools, mosques, churches, playgrounds, youth centers, and other community facilities.
Initially, 5,000 scouts and guides will participate in the program to reach at least 10,000 households, public institutions, community-friendly spaces, and youth centers, contributing to saving at least 300,000 cubic meters of water annually. Additionally, a training room equipped with relevant tools and equipment for water conservation learning and awareness raising will be established at the Jordanian Association for Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.
By empowering youth and leveraging collaborative efforts, USAID WEC is making significant strides in water conservation and climate action, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for Jordan. Through these efforts, USAID WEC is not only addressing immediate water scarcity challenges but also fostering a generation of environmentally conscious leaders poised to secure Jordan’s water future.