A new regional initiative led by the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is aiming to equip nearly 7,000 youth—at least half of them women—across Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria with the skills and tools needed to secure meaningful employment. The program marks a significant shift from short-term humanitarian aid to long-term, sustainable livelihood creation, especially for refugees, internally displaced persons, and marginalized youth.
A groundbreaking shift toward sustainable livelihoods
The newly launched initiative, introduced at the 1001 Stars Jobs4All Forum in Dubai, is grounded in a clear philosophy: build long-term opportunity instead of providing temporary relief. The partnership between AGF and IFC brings together local and international stakeholders to create pathways to employment that are both dignified and resilient to instability.Dr. Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, emphasized this transition during the forum:“Opportunity is not given, it’s built. This is about mobilising employers, educators, investors, and communities around the shared goal of building livelihood opportunities that are dignified and resilient to the volatility of fragile environments.”The program is designed to meet the real-world needs of youth living in some of the region’s most vulnerable communities, where unemployment—especially among women and young people—remains among the highest globally.
Program reach and structure
The initiative aims to reach nearly 7,000 young individuals across Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. Notably, at least 50% of the beneficiaries will be women, addressing a crucial gender gap in employment and economic participation in these countries.Key components of the training include:
- Market-relevant skill development
- Business English
- Financial literacy
- Entrepreneurship support
Implementation is being led by the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, in partnership with Glocalshift and in coordination with IFC’s 1001 Stars project. The program involves strong engagement with private sector employers, aligning training directly with market demands and hiring pipelines.
A collaborative effort backed by proven track records
This partnership is anchored by two major institutions:
- The Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF):
Based in the UAE and founded in 2015, AGF is one of the largest privately funded philanthropic foundations in the Arab world. The foundation focuses on empowering Emirati and Arab youth by providing high-quality, technology-driven education and skill development programs. AGF’s initiatives align with UN Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 8, and 17, aiming for inclusive education, gender equality, decent work, and strong partnerships.AGF has already reached over 239,400 youth, surpassing its original 2025 target of 200,000 learners by nearly 20%. It emphasizes youth input in the design and delivery of programs, ensuring relevance and long-term impact. The Foundation is chaired by H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, son of founder Abdulla Ahmad Al Ghurair.
- The International Finance Corporation (IFC):
A member of the World Bank Group, IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing economies. Established in 1956, it supports sustainable and inclusive growth through private investment, business advisory services, and enabling regulatory frameworks. IFC delivers financial products—including loans, equity, and guarantees—alongside advisory support that enhances business practices and employment outcomes.The 1001 Stars project, launched in 2024, is one of IFC’s flagship regional programs. It brings together companies from across the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to generate thousands of jobs and training opportunities for marginalized populations. The initiative specifically helps employers integrate women, youth, people with disabilities, and displaced communities into their workforce, with a strong focus on advisory support.
IFC Vice President Hela Cheikhrouhou highlighted the urgency and relevance of the new partnership:“Across the Middle East, forcibly displaced individuals are striving to overcome exceptionally difficult circumstances. IFC is proud to partner with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation on this important initiative, working alongside private enterprises to expand access to skills and jobs that create dignified livelihood opportunities.”
A model for scalable, inclusive impact
This program represents a regional model for scalable, inclusive economic development in fragile contexts. It merges AGF’s education expertise and deep regional ties with IFC’s private sector leverage and development finance tools. By connecting marginalized youth with skills aligned to market needs—and ensuring employer participation—the initiative sets a precedent for how job creation in fragile states can be sustainably addressed.Crucially, this is not a one-off effort. With both organizations committed to long-term impact, the initiative may serve as a blueprint for other regions facing similar challenges. By prioritizing jobs over handouts, and partnership over charity, AGF and IFC are reshaping how development interventions are designed and delivered in the Arab region.
