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According to the European Parliamentary Research Service Briefing, the Syrian crisis led to Jordan hosting an estimated 1.3 million Syrians by 2017, six years after the civil war began. This forced displacement intensified existing challenges in Jordan, such as increased competition for jobs, overburdened infrastructure, and strained social services, including healthcare and education. Following the approach to create long-term conditions that allow Syrians to build a future for themselves by acquiring skills and creating new opportunities for the host communities, Kiron expanded its operations to Jordan.
Our approach was built around three key pillars:
Kiron's intervention began when online learning was relatively new in the Middle East. We leveraged partnerships and conducted in-depth needs assessments to ensure better outcomes for learners.
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We helped learners in Jordan develop essential skills, such as:
This 4.5-year project provided access to higher education for over 9,000 learners displaced by the Syrian crisis, as well as disadvantaged learners in Jordanian host communities. Learners gained micro-credentials in relevant fields, along with support services and pathways to locally delivered higher education.
The project was implemented in partnership with King’s College London (lead partner), Al al-Bayt University in Jordan, the American University of Beirut, and FutureLearn in the UK. It was part of the UK Aid-funded SPHEIR (Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform) portfolio, managed by the Department for International Development (DFID).
Supported by Danish Refugee Council, LOYAC, and Coursera
The Pathways to Youth Empowerment program was designed to help 500 refugees and underserved youth in Jordan gain skills and transition from unemployment to sustainable livelihoods, either through employment or entrepreneurship.
Delivered in collaboration with the Danish Refugee Council, LOYAC, and Coursera, the 1.5-year program provided participants in Amman, Irbid, and Ma’an with the skills needed for earning decently. In addition to English language and skills training, participants received mentoring to develop soft skills like communication and confidence. Graduates of the entrepreneurship track received business grants, while those on the workforce track were placed in internships and jobs.
Supported by Danish Refugee Council, LOYAC, and Coursera
Proficiency in English is essential for expanding career opportunities. Many refugees and underserved communities in Jordan needed the necessary English skills for today's global job market. In response, we launched the Level Up English program, a nine-month initiative to improve English language and interpersonal communication skills.
Learners, supported by three trained tutors, participated in courses tailored to their language levels, ranging from A1 to B2. They began with a placement test to determine their proficiency and enrolled in the appropriate course.
In addition to self-paced online courses, the 73 participants benefited from weekly "English Club" sessions for conversational practice and personal support via email and WhatsApp. Internet cards were distributed to ensure stable access. At the end of the program, students had the opportunity to take the Cambridge Linguaskill English Exam and attended an in-person graduation ceremony in Amman.
Supported by SOS Kinderdörfer
The Digi-Jor program was designed to provide Syrian refugees and individuals from underserved communities in Jordan with digital skills training. Funded by the European Union under the Edu-Syria Scholarship Programme and through the "Madad" regional trust fund, the program offered training in digital marketing and web development, while also improving their English language skills.
This comprehensive training prepared 80 participants for opportunities in Jordan’s growing digital economy.
Supported by the European Union, Edu-Syria, and Nuffic
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The Introduction to Political Philosophy program was offered to 30 young people in Jordan who were interested in developing decision-making skills related to political, economic, and public affairs for sustainable development.
Delivered through a blended learning approach, the program combined live facilitation by experienced Jordan-based Kiron facilitators and self-paced courses on the Kiron Campus. Participants learned to propose proactive solutions to social-political issues, promoting political leadership and civic participation.
Supported by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
When Amal’s accounting qualifications didn’t lead to a job in her new country, she retrained as a graphic designer with Kiron and got fully employed. Originally from Yemen, Amal had already graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. However, when she moved to Jordan, she struggled to find opportunities as a Yemeni student.
Amal found Kiron and enrolled in the graphic design courses. Though she initially didn’t have a laptop, Kiron helped provide her with one. Subsequently, Amal began working successfully as a freelance graphic designer and continued to take online courses to expand her skill set.
“During my internship phase and job search, this program [by Kiron] proved invaluable. Through dedication and leveraging the skills from this course, I secured employment.”
Yara
“Kiron is one of the best organizations I've trained with. In describing my experience with Kiron, I would say it was "a smooth and enjoyable educational training."”
Heba
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While our on-the-ground blended learning projects in Jordan have ended, learners from Jordan on the Kiron Campus can continue accessing free online courses to develop their skills.
