One of two programmes we have supported in Jordan is ACCESS – an initiative that helped improve cohesion between the refugee and host communities in the northern provinces of Amman, Zarqa, Irbid and Mafraq, where roughly 81% of Syrian refugees live.
Jordan hosts one of the largest population of refugees per capita globally with most refugees originally from Syria, as well as from Palestine and Iraq. Over half (51.5%) of registered Syrians are below the age of 18 and only 61% of Syrian refugee children attend school.
ACCESS – which stands for Advancing Cohesion in Communities through Engagement in Structured Sports - was set up to help Syrian children integrate harmoniously into their school and wider communities and find a sense of belonging. Through sport, the programme strengthened community participation and buildt bridges between Syrian and Jordanian children and young people.