Start date 2007
End date 2007
Funded by the European Union

This project aims to increase the knowledge base of Mediterranean NGOs, while enhancing the effectiveness of their collaborations with multiple stakeholders and authorities for the purpose of conserving the environmental heritage of the region. In order to address this need, the project created twinning partnerships between MedWet, an EU-based mentoring NGO, and 2 NGOs from non-EU Mediterranean countries (SPNL from Lebanon and RSCN from Jordan). The project’s main objective is to transfer expertise from MedWet towards the targeted NGOs, for enhancing their capacity and effectiveness in conservation.

Start date 2006
End date 2007
Funded by the Netherlands Embassy

Burqu is a large proposed protected area in the Eastern Desert, which supports several endangered species and several Bedouin communities. This project is helping RSCN to facilitate the effective involvement of these communities in the designation of the protected area in order to gain their support and to prepare a joint ‘road map’ for appropriate socio-economic development that will bring improved livelihood benefits.

Funded by USAID

An ambitious program of socio-economic initiatives that enabled RSCN to build on its experience in the Dana Biosphere Reserve and extend its use of eco-tourism and other nature based businesses as a tool to support the conservation of protected areas. The key outputs of the project were Feynan Eco-lodge and Azraq Lodge, the craft enterprises for the Azraq Villages, the strengthening of eco-tourism marketing and the construction of the Wild Jordan Center in Amman. The project had a major impact on the profile and effectiveness of RSCN. It enabled RSCN to be positioned as the principle agency for eco-tourism in Jordan and to be recognized as a pioneer in the use of business approaches to sustain and promote nature conservation in Jordan.

Funded by the European Union through Birdlife International

A tripartite project between Jordan, Palestine and Israel that carried out research, habitat protection and community outreach programs to support the conservation of birds in the Jordan Valley. The focus of the project in Jordan was the Mujib Nature Reserve and the main outputs included the initiation of a socio-economic program for local communities, the construction of visitor facilities near the reserve entrance and capacity building for the Reserve management team. Baseline ecological surveys of key bird sites in Yarmouk, in the north of the Jordan Valley, and Qatar near Aqaba were also completed by the project.

Funded by the British Embassy

This project helped to strengthen the partnership between RSCN and the Government in the enforcement of hunting laws. It facilitated the formation of an Environmental Directorate in the Police Force and a countrywide network of enforcement officers and it provided capacity development for RSCN rangers and environmental police officers.

Funded by the Spanish Cooperation Agency and the RESCATA Agency, through the Jordan River Foundation (JRF)

Under this project, RSCN developed tourism facilities in the Ajloun Forest Reserve as a joint venture with the Jordan River Foundation. These facilities included the tented bungalows, training workshop and restaurant, together with furniture and signage. It also participated in capacity building programs for local communities, which were part of a wider program organized by JRF.

Funded by MERC with Birdlife International

Like the “Birds and People” project mentioned above, this project also concentrated on bird conservation in the Jordan Rift Valley, although its emphasis was on research and awareness-raising related to migrating birds. An interactive, on-line education program for schools and older students was developed about bird migration in the Rift Valley, together with supporting publications and electronic resources. Research initiatives were also supported including electronic tagging of birds, training in bird capture and ringing techniques and bird surveillance using remote cameras.

Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Several socio-economic initiatives in and around the Mujib Nature Reserve were kick-started and developed through this project. They included the creation of a campsite on the shores of the Dead Sea, with the associated visitor center and exhibitions at the mouth of the Mujib Gorge, and the development of craft workshops in the village of Fagour on the eastern boundary of the Reserve.

Funded by the Canadian Embassy

This innovative project created a range of games for children designed to promote greater awareness of the Jordanian environment. They included simple block puzzles for very young children to a sophisticated board game called “Nature Inc”, based on an environmental version of ‘Monopoly’. They were distributed widely to schools and school nature clubs and sold through the Wild Jordan nature shops.

Funded by WEPIA through USAID

Under this project, RSCN pioneered the process of bringing critical water issues into the national curriculum for Jordanian schools. It was able to forge an official and highly effective partnership with the Ministry of Education to professionally review the curriculum and to introduce water concepts into lesson programs for all age groups. Since the completion of the project, RSCN has maintained its working relationship with the Ministry and has been continuing to support the integration of other environmental concepts into the curriculum.

Funded by the German Development Corporation (GTZ)

A highly targeted project that worked with the public relations department of RSCN to build its capacity in creating awareness programs and to improve media planning. International consultants were used to review the Society’s quarterly magazine Al-Reem and to make recommendations for upgrading its design and content. Many of those recommendations have since been applied.

Funded by the Netherlands Embassy

An interactive CD was developed under this project that explained and promoted the role of protected areas in Jordan using cartoons and other child-friendly approaches. The CD was designed to support the biodiversity components of the national curriculum and was distributed to all schools in Jordan. It is still in use today.