Container production and women start-ups

After the necessary equipment was purchased with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the facilities to produce 1,100-litre waste containers were set up from spring 2022 onwards. Moreover, the necessary raw materials were procured, the new employees were trained in management, metalworking and production processes, and the plant was finally put into operation. It has been in full operation since August 2022 and can produce up to 50 waste containers a day. 20 new jobs were created. Due to the better processing, the new containers last up to three years, much longer than the ones used before, which were often worn out after just one year.

By the end of December 2022, more than 3,000 containers had been produced within five months, delivered to 35 communities in the entire northern Jordanian region and a profit of 400,000 Jordanian Dinars achieved. This corresponds to about half million EURO. A complete success and not to be taken for granted! When the factory first went into operation about 13 years ago, it had to be abandoned after a short time because it was uneconomical.

The distribution is supported by networks of municipalities and mayors as well as by the National Ministry of Municipal Affairs. In addition, Gharb Irbid benefits from a law that allows Jordanian municipalities to buy products from public companies without a formal tender. This reduces the administrative burden of purchasing.

In the meantime, an expansion of production is being considered. The profit is to be used primarily for the purchase of more machines. Production will also become more diverse. In addition, 200-litre waste containers are already being produced to support waste separation at the household level, as well as small waste baskets and seating for public spaces made of metal offcuts.

Parallel to the container factory, the business start-up centre for women was established. The Jordanian side received conceptual advice from a Munich business start-up specialist and experts from the Munich-based project "GUIDE" to support women's business start-ups. The heart of the centre is a media room with 20 computers, scanners, printers and a beamer. The centre is not only aimed at women setting up their own businesses, but also at women who already produce and sell goods from home. These are groceries, dried fruits, homegrown medicinal herbs, cosmetics and traditional handicrafts.

At a three-day bazaar organised by the community, the women had the opportunity to present their products to the public, to gain new customers and to establish business contacts. In the second half of 2022, four workshops were held with more than 250 participants. The content of the workshops covers the use of computers, the preparation of business plans, bookkeeping and online marketing. The workshops are free of charge and the trainers work on a quasi-voluntary basis for a small expense allowance. About 80 Jordanian and Syrian women took utilized the new centre's services last year. Moreover, they support each other - also cross-culturally: they exchange information about production methods and how to implement them. They forge new relationships and networks beyond their own city limits into the entire community. The start-up centre provides a contact point and safe space for this.

The management of the centre also cooperates with local non-governmental organisations to strengthen women's rights and with the local vocational school for women. The school can also use the media room, for example, and thus expand its training programme.