ILO PROSPECTS Programme Launches Inclusive Market Systems Training in Jordan for Refugees and Host Communities

The AIMS approach, developed in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since 2013, focuses on analyzing subsectors and value chains to foster inclusive growth and employment.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) PROSPECTS programme has introduced its Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) training programme in Jordan. The initiative, designed to equip 25 business experts with skills to design sustainable, market-driven livelihood interventions, targets both refugees and local host communities.

The AIMS approach, developed in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since 2013, focuses on analyzing subsectors and value chains to foster inclusive growth and employment. It addresses economic bottlenecks and misalignments to ensure long-term development. Unlike traditional aid models, AIMS seeks to create systemic change by aligning stakeholder incentives to produce win-win solutions.

A Market-Driven Approach to Sustainable Livelihoods

Dahlia Tawhid Roque, ILO PROSPECTS Jordan Project Manager, highlighted the shift from direct aid to market-driven approaches. "Building on Phase I, the second phase of the project aims to enhance employment and livelihood interventions for Syrian refugees and Jordanians through a greener, market-driven approach," Roque explained. She further noted that a 2022 value chain analysis of Jordan’s agricultural sector revealed a significant need for local experts skilled in AIMS, which would guide Phase 2 activities and improve employment prospects for both refugee and host communities.

Training Structure and Key Takeaways

The AIMS training is divided into two parts. The first segment, a week-long, face-to-face session in Amman, combines theoretical frameworks, case studies, and practical exercises to familiarize participants with the AIMS methodology. Attendees work in groups, conduct primary research, and receive personalized feedback from experts at the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO). This is followed by six weeks of fieldwork assignments aimed at applying their newly acquired skills in real-world contexts.

Mohammad Al Qaisi, Project Manager at the Jordan Business Development Center, praised the program: “We learned how to analyze value chains, conduct proper market system analyses, and design impactful interventions. I plan to apply this knowledge to refine the initiatives I’m working on, ensuring their feasibility and sustainability.”

Push-Pull Approach: A Dual Strategy

The AIMS methodology employs a push-pull strategy to drive economic change. Push interventions focus on building the skills and capacities of target groups, such as refugees and host communities, through training and asset transfers. Pull interventions, meanwhile, aim to strengthen sectors and value chains, thereby generating new market opportunities for all participants.

Diala Al Alami, a participant and project manager, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the course: “This innovative and dynamic course structure is helping me gain insights and exchange knowledge with others. AIMS supports value sectors and chains, contributing to overall development.”

Addressing Economic Challenges Amid Refugee Influx

With over 760,000 registered refugees in Jordan, including 658,000 Syrians, the country faces immense strain on its resources. The AIMS training aims to address these pressures by providing local stakeholders with the tools necessary to improve employment opportunities and support sustainable economic growth.

The ILO PROSPECTS programme, backed by the Government of the Netherlands, forms part of a broader global partnership that includes organizations such as the International Finance Corporation, UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank. Together, they aim to transform how governments and stakeholders respond to forced displacement crises, focusing on improving access to education, social protection, and decent work.

By empowering business experts and fostering inclusive market systems, the AIMS programme is contributing to Jordan’s long-term economic resilience and creating better livelihood opportunities for both refugees and host communities.