- 7,000 youth, including 50% women, to receive market-relevant skills, Business English, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship support.
- Initiative by Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and IFC focuses on jobs, not temporary aid, for refugees and marginalised youth.
- IFC’s 1001 Stars project links participants with private sector employers, promoting inclusive employment in fragile Arab states.
A new initiative focused on 'jobs, not handouts' has been launched to provide training and employment opportunities for nearly 7,000 young people in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. At least half of the participants are women.
The programme is a partnership between the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It aims to give young people market-relevant skills, Business English training, financial literacy, and support for entrepreneurship. The Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund is leading the implementation, working with Glocalshift and coordinating with IFC’s 1001 Stars project to connect participants with private sector employers.
Speaking at the launch during the 1001 Stars Jobs4All Forum in Dubai, Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, highlighted the programme’s goal of creating long-term opportunities instead of temporary aid. “Opportunity is not given, it’s built. This is about mobilising employers, educators, investors, and communities to create livelihoods that are dignified and resilient”, she said.
The initiative focuses on refugee, internally displaced, and marginalised youth in fragile Arab states, where unemployment is among the highest in the world. IFC Vice President Hela Cheikhrouhou said the programme addresses an urgent need. “Across the Middle East, displaced individuals face exceptionally difficult challenges. IFC is proud to work with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation to expand access to skills and jobs that provide dignified livelihoods”, she said.
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Launched in 2024, IFC’s 1001 Stars project brings together companies across the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to create thousands of jobs and training opportunities for marginalised groups. The project also supports employers in hiring women, youth, people with disabilities, and displaced communities, ensuring inclusive workforce opportunities.
This initiative represents a significant step toward empowering young people in fragile regions, equipping them with skills and opportunities to build a better future.
