Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaaع)

The Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity Iqlaa is a five- year activity that aims to put Jordanian Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) on a path to recovery after the extraordinary crisis that the businesses have faced, help them access the safety net measures in Jordan, and, most importantly, regain productivity and growth. The proposed design will integrate key learnings from the Local Enterprise Support (LENS) Activity, scale up previous USAID interventions in the areas of informal MEs, and expand some of its pilot activities, such as Home Based Businesses support and micro- franchising in local economies. The proposed new design will consist of activities and grants to get micro and small enterprises back to work, link them back to markets, and put them on a track to formalization and growth. Through these initiatives, the activity will ultimately help to stabilize the economic situation in Jordan. The proposed design is aligned with the goals of USAID/Jordan’s CDCS: “Jordan advances its journey to self reliance by creating private sector-led economic opportunities for a healthy, well educated population, improving water security, increasing citizen-state trust, and reducing barriers for women and youth.” Furthermore, it aligns with the strategic choices highlighted in the new CDCS, which begins with: “Economic growth remains the top priority for USAID and the GoJ and has the greatest potential to enhance Jordan’s self-reliance.” The design not only promotes economic growth and self-reliance, but most importantly it supports a vulnerable group within the Jordanian economy whose wellbeing is critical to the country’s overall stability.