Seeds Foundation Launches 'Youth for Land' Initiative

The Seeds Foundation launched the 'Youth for Land' initiative in partnership with the National Land Coalition in the Tafila Governorate, Jordan. The NLC aims to expand this initiative to other governorates in Jordan during its 2025-2026 action plan. This youth-led initiative aims to address unemployment in the region, while also rehabilitating native plant species threatened by environmental degradation and climate change.

The initiative addresses two major challenges in the region: high unemployment rates and the decline of native plant species due to environmental pressures and climate change.

The initiative will train 26 young men and women to identify native plant species, understand their traditional and medicinal uses, and cultivate seedlings for the rehabilitation of degraded areas. Beyond environmental conservation, the initiative focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills among young people, empowering them to sell seedlings and generate sustainable income.

The initiative will contribute to the development of essential infrastructure, including a greenhouse and an irrigation system, to enhance the local community's capacity to restore vegetation and protect biodiversity in southern Jordan.

This initiative highlights the vital role of youth in addressing environmental and economic challenges. It not only creates job opportunities but also fosters a sense of responsibility among young people towards the land and the protection of native plant species.

The 'Youth for Land' initiative contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by providing decent employment opportunities for young people.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – by empowering local communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – by rehabilitating vegetation and protecting native plant species.

The Seeds Foundation and the National Land Coalition hope that the Tafila project will serve as a model for other governorates, thus strengthening environmental conservation efforts throughout Jordan and supporting sustainable development goals.