• Implementation Support Agency (ISA): World Bank
  • Total project financing: $200 million
  • Funding from GCFF: $36.9 million
  • GCFF Financing Approval Date: 11/22/2019
  • Project Closing Date: 03/31/2025
  • % Disbursed: 30.4%
  • Project Rating: Moderately Satisfactory
  • Status: Under implementation
Jordan Youth, Technology, and Jobs Project-1

About the project

The objective of the project is to improve digitally enabled income opportunities and expand digitized government services in Jordan. The Project has three components.

Component 1. Increasing the supply of digitally skilled youth in Jordan component will increase the supply of high-quality human capital to cater to the increasing demand for digital skills in Jordan, covering both employment and freelancing jobs.

Component 2. Expanding the digital sector and digital government services in Jordan component will boost activity in the digital sector by supporting the expansion and access to business opportunities. This is achieved primarily through support of the digitization of government services.

Component 3. Project Management and Implementation Support component will support provision of technical advisory services and goods to manage, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the project, including operating costs, independent verification of the achievement of Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs) and independent verification of completion of employment objectives for employment subsidies and relevant results milestones for matching grants.

Project Development Objective (PDO)

Improve digitally enabled income opportunities and expand digitized government services in Jordan. Digitally enabled income opportunities in this context refer to employment, full-time or part-time, or freelancing/self-employment whether that be: a) entrepreneurship (startup of a digital firm by a beneficiary), b) work within digital firms, c) work on digital technology in other than digital firms, or d) work through digitally enabled online platforms

Project Implementation Status

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE) made further progress during the first half of 2025, building on the momentum established during the Mid-Term Review. The project continued to deliver tangible results across components, though budget constraints and procurement timelines remain critical challenges.

Component 1: Supporting the supply of digital skills in Jordan

  • Subcomponent 1.1 (Private sector-led digital skills development):
    • Following the tendering process, 14 Training Service Providers (TSPs) advanced implementation.
    • Activities under the DigiSkills platform continued, with more than 4,900 youth and jobseekers trained cumulatively (2,618 women).
    • A structured monitoring approach was introduced, including an M&E Guideline now in use.
    • The interim DigiSkills portal remains operational and fully utilized by all TSPs.
    • The national platform tender proceeded to the evaluation of technical proposals.
  • Subcomponent 1.2 (Digital skills for public school students):
    • The new curriculum for odd-numbered grades was fully rolled out; development for grades 1–6 was completed and approved.
    • Training for 100 supervisors was completed.
    • Technical evaluation reports for both the Digital Skills and Pedagogical Training tenders were finalized and uploaded to STEP, pending financial proposal openings.
  • Subcomponent 1.3 (Tech Hubs):
    • Marka Tech Hub (“The Platform”) continued outreach and engaged four schools.
    • South Tech Hub site preparation advanced; Injaz was selected as operator.
    • North Tech Hub site selection remained in progress.
    • Accessibility improvements and MOUs for collaboration were prepared.
  • Subcomponent 1.4 (Digital skills for youth):
    • Career Acceleration Program: Over 4,000 students enrolled, with 624 verified completions.
    • Cloud Computing Training: 595 participants completed training; the 6th AWS cohort launches in July 2025.
    • Functional Skills Training: 1,012 youth completed training; over 200 reported generating sustainable income.
    • E-Game Design Program: Technical evaluations concluded; RFP preparation underway.
    • English Language Program (Speexx): 270 licenses completed; POC under review.

Component 2: Expanding the digital sector and government services

  • Subcomponent 2.1 (Market access):
    • jo: 182 agreements signed, including 109 for talent support and 57 for expansion.
    • The initiative supported 102 startups/SMEs through events and intermediaries.
    • Two intermediaries onboarded; further applications under evaluation.
    • Jordan Source: Four new network partners added (e.g., Denamica, TechAlAmal).
    • A promotional mission in Germany and high-level delegation visits showcased Jordan’s ICT capabilities.
    • Production of promotional videos advanced, supporting webinars linked to Expo Japan.
  • Subcomponent 2.2 (Digital transformation):
    • 178 new e-services digitized; 20 existing services enhanced, surpassing targets.
    • 9 million transactions recorded.
    • 59 contracts valued at ~$24 million were documented and uploaded to STEP, with reimbursement processes underway.
  • Subcomponent 2.3 (Digitization of payments):
    • Backend payment platform completed, pending operational staff onboarding.
    • Card and CliQ acquiring services were awarded to Arab Bank, with implementation beginning in June 2025.

Component 3: Project management and implementation support

  • The PMU is fully staffed (23 members).
  • A key risk remains the 2025 budget gap, with financial commitments nearly double the allocated budget.

Relevant Documents:

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