The opening ceremony of a Regional Workshop on Youth Empowerment in relevance to climate change was held under the patronage of H.E. Eng. Khalid Huneifat, the Minister of Agriculture, within the framework of the GREENLAND project funded by the European Programme for Cooperation across Borders in the Mediterranean 'ENI CBC MED'. 

The workshop was conducted by the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), with the presence of representatives from several ministries, local & international organizations, institutions, and universities, and with the participation of researchers from 12 Mediterranean countries.

Huneifat expressed his pride in NARC, the scientific arm of the Ministry of Agriculture, which consistently aspires to implement agricultural scientific research which has a remarkable impact on the agricultural sector and youth empowerment as well. 

Huneifat further stated that the Ministry of Agriculture seeks to empower and enhance skills of youth through agricultural entrepreneurship projects, besides creating jobs in partnership with national institutions and fostering the concept of social inclusion in the Jordanian society. 

The Director General of NARC, Dr. Nizar Haddad, said the workshop focuses on providing un-employed youth with technical skills that help increase the potential of vulnerable communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change and provide them with green careers to enhance their livelihoods. 

Haddad added, that the project works to provide trainings for youngsters from both genders, in the governorates of Jordan on transforming traditional economy patterns into circular and green economy, in an attempt to create a new set of green careers adapted to climate change.

'NARC also launchs the Green Entrepreneurial  Network (GEN) to strengthen linkages between agencies, organizations, civil society institutions and the private sector to urge the spirit of team work to attract funds for upcoming projects, this in addition to several regional projects executed by NARC, to increase collaboration among partners'. Haddad said. 

Mr. Omar Abu Eid, EU Embassy representative, valued the role of NARC empowering youth, as well as, creating solutions for climate challenges through scientific research, asserting on the European Union's absolute faith in NARC research and management capabilities. He added that the EU is looking forward networking into collaboration in many agricultural areas, particularly those related to climate, water and energy.

Eng. Ala'a Wahbeh, Head of Climate Change Department at NARC, said that this workshop was held in the presence of partners from Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine and Jordan, indicating that the project would promote social inclusion and empower young people in the target areas.

Dr. Nicola Mayera, Greenland Project Coordinator in Italy, was deeply proud on the partnership with NARC and experience exchange among participants, noting that the project would enable participants to study social inclusion and the empowerment of youth in their own countries.