The National Aid Fund (NAF) continues its national role in supporting the economic and social empowerment of poor families benefiting from its programs, through targeted initiatives designed to transition families from welfare dependence to productive engagement, fostering self-reliance in line with the Economic Modernization Vision and the National Social Protection Strategy (2025–2033).
اضافة اعلان
The Fund’s efforts align with national objectives to strengthen comprehensive social protection and sustainable development by enabling beneficiaries through training programs that enhance their employability and participation in the economic process.
As part of its strategic role in the social protection system, the Fund focuses on the “Dignity” pillar, linking social assistance to programs that invest in human capital and provide diverse economic empowerment pathways, allowing families to move from dependence on aid to self-reliance.
According to data obtained by Petra from the NAF, the Fund has been transforming individuals from aid recipients into productive, economically active participants through a variety of programs and initiatives.
From 2023 to 2025, the Fund implemented specialized training programs targeting individuals from families receiving monthly aid, in collaboration with vocational training institutions, universities, and professional training centers. A total of 3,667 individuals were trained, enhancing their life and productive skills in alignment with labor market needs.
To promote self-reliance, the Fund supported small income-generating projects, training 521 individuals in project management and funding 530 home-based projects, improving household income and financial independence.
Through partnership with the Ministry of Labor under the “Sijill” National Employment Program, 14,892 beneficiaries were registered on the platform, with 6,879 employed, including 1,777 who maintained employment for over a year and 644 who exited aid programs due to improved living conditions. An additional 1,133 remain employed while still receiving recurring assistance.
The cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Labor was renewed to increase employment opportunities for NAF beneficiaries from 7% to 15% of total program positions, extend financial support to 9 months (and 12 months for persons with disabilities), and increase incentives, including transport allowance of 30 JOD, 12 JOD social security contribution, and a 15 JOD bonus for working women. Electronic linking of the Fund with the Ministry and the platform allows real-time monitoring of employment indicators, expanding the target age to 18–45 years, with a 5% annual increase in opportunities for youth from beneficiary families.
Funding for economic and social empowerment programs increased from 300,000 JOD to 1.5 million JOD annually between 2023–2025, enabling high-quality programs that culminate in professional licensing, boosting employment prospects.
The 2023 update of the Economic Empowerment Instructions introduced greater flexibility and fairness, with clear beneficiary selection criteria, performance monitoring, and a 12-month grace period during which income or social security enrollment is not counted for employed individuals. Transport allowances increased to 50 JOD, with full coverage of training costs and instructor fees.
The Fund aligns training programs with individual capacities and high-demand sectors, bridging the skills gap. A skills-mapping study for individuals aged 18–48 informed the development of a database guiding programs toward the most sought-after professions. Special attention is given to persons with disabilities, with 40 beneficiaries trained to date.
Through these initiatives, the NAF establishes a national model for economic and social empowerment, turning challenges into productive opportunities, promoting self-reliance, improving living standards, and supporting inclusive economic growth. These efforts reflect Jordan’s commitment to transitioning from welfare to empowerment, advancing social justice, economic stability, and the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision.
(Petra)
