Local Development Program for Less-Privileged Areas (LDPLA)
The Local Development Program for Less- Privileged Areas (LDPLA) is another program initiated and funded by the Ministry of Planning and International (MoPIC) targeting a total of 26 areas within Jordan that were classified as poverty pockets. It aims to raise the standard of living in poor areas through revolving credit funds, capacity building, infrastructure projects, and income generating projects. JRF was one of the successful bidders along with other national NGOs who were assigned to implement the program. Implementation was in two phases; phase I which included 10 areas and JRF worked in three of them while phase II; awarded end of 2007, included 16 areas, six of which were assigned to JRF.

Phase I (2005 – 2007)
The three areas included Berein in Zarqa, Housha in Al Mafraq and Deir Alla in Balqa. Building on JRF’s methodology, projects were identified by the local community and supported by JRF. These projects included:

• Commercial Complexes in Berein and Hosha.

• Upgrading and maintaining the slaughter house, establishing a services complex with multi-purpose halls, swimming pool, and a five-room motel in Deir Alla.

• A diverse and intensive package of training was implemented to build the capacity of the three communities. Moreover, a new fund was obtained from Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECID) to implement an integrated project in Berein through education, awareness, vocational training and income generation activities targeting the women of the area.

• Revolving loan funds

Phase II (End of 2007 – end of 2009)
Determined to reach a wide constituency of the poorest of the poor, JRF along with other partner organizations outlined their strategic work under four main pillars including: income generating projects, providing necessary infrastructure and economic opportunities. JRF worked with several partners like Mahara, Business Development Center, and Pro Group Consulting in the six targeted areas namely; Al-Hashmiyah in Zarqa, Ghor Al-Mazra'a in Karak, Al-Jafer, Al-Husainyah and Al-Mreigha in Ma'an, and Wadi Araba in Aqaba.

• During the two implementation years, JRF was able to implement the following:

• Revolving loans were distributed to 352 beneficiaries through 15 local CBOs in addition to the Jordanian National Forum for Women.

• 13 infrastructure projects including:

  • Projects to improve water use efficiency in Wadi Araba supported by the Japanese Embassy in 2008.

  • Water testing in Mureigha to check its compliance with health standards

  • Two healthcare centers in Al Hashimiya with blood testing equipment (CBC)

  • Installing sun shadings in 10 schools and a bus stop in Ghor Al-Mazraa

Equipping 22 CBOs with needed equipment as part of building their capacities, consequently providing better services to their communities.

Work is still ongoing in 2010 to complete another eight infrastructure projects such as a play field in Al- Husainiya and buses for Muraigha and Husainiya

• 10 Income-generating projects including:

• Half-automated bakery and gas station in Mureigha

• Special Occasions equipment for Al-Risha Folk band

• Five agricultural projects in Wadi Araba

• Beauty Salon in Mudawara/Jafer

Six income-generating projects remain to be completed in 2010 such as the Integrated Agricultural Project in Ghor Al-Mazraa, Car Maintenance Center in Husainiya- and AL-Hashimiya.

• Training and capacity building on various topics targeting all categories in the target communities were delivered since the onset of the program.

The implementation of this phase was very unique in the following ways:

• JRF’s integration to Youth throughout the implementation of the project including:

  • Networking with Ma’an vocational training center to train 103 of youths on skills needed for certain projects.

  • Coordinating with the Business Development Center (BDC) to hold “For-Jordan Training” targeting youths in in Al- Hashemiya and Ghour Al-Mazraa. Beneficiaries from this training are 18 including 11 females.

• Implementing a number of youth-led initiatives designed and led by youth in the aim of benefiting the community at large.

• Collaboration with a big number of local partners in the aim to benefit the community including Co-ops, municipalities, youth clubs, and governorates.

• Networking with different parties in order to support the developmental interventions, secure additional funding, and advocate for better services in the areas. This network included local partners such as the Joint Procurement Department, the Public Transport Regulatory Commission (PTRC), Greater Amman Municipality, and the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA). And on an international level, JRF leveraged more support international entities including the British Embassy, Coca-Cola Company, Vital Voices and the Japanese Embassy.
  
  For more information about the LDPLA, please refer to JRF’s Sustainability Reports.