Clean technology ambassadors are changing Jordanian communities

Clean technologyambassadors are changingJordanian communities

By Dara Al-Masri

The last time Ahmad Nahnoush visited a family’s house to check their new electricity bill, he noted a reduction of 25 Jordanian dinar (about $35 USD) from the previous month’s bill and felt a sense of accomplishment.

The 27-year-old geology engineer is one of 108 ambassadors working with Future Pioneers — a Jordan-based non-profit organization specializing in community empowerment — to raise awareness about the use of clean technologies in the Jordan Valley area.

He has always been interested in

environmental issues, including ways of decreasing the human impact on the environment and reducing waste. “I have so many ideas for recycling or reusing waste, but I did not find an organization or fund that can support me to implement,” he said.

One of his ideas is to reduce plastic waste by collecting plastic waste and turning it into floor tiles that are lightweight, easy to install and environmentally friendly.

Being a science teacher, Nahnoush enjoys sharing his ideas with students and raising awareness about

photos by Dara Al-Masri

Ahmad Nahnoush enjoys raising awareness about clean technologies among his community.

environmentally friendly practices and initiatives. This is one of the reasons why he joined Future Pioneers as a community mobiliser and ambassador for clean technologies. Future Pioneers is one of the partners that work with MEDA’s Jordan Valley Links (JVL) project which aims to build the capacity of women and youth to become clean technology entrepreneurs. The project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, is implemented through partnerships with several groups, including community-based organizations (CBOs) such as “Min Ajliki Ya Biladi”, which means “For You My Country.” Run by 24-year-old Waed Al Blaylat, it is one of many working in different areas of the Jordan Valley.

Nahnoush works as part of Al Blaylat’s organization to raise awareness in South Shouneh, an area in northwest Jordan. The overall campaign brings together community influencers. It trains them to promote the adoption of clean technologies (such as solar/photo-voltaic systems, energy-efficient air conditioners, etc.) within their communities. It also raises awareness on topics such as environmental sustainability, including ways to reduce resource consumption and decrease their impact on the environment.

“It is so easy to use renewable resources in our area, but people are not aware of the low costs and how much they could reduce the impact on the environment by adopting

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Waed Al Blaylat and her 15 volunteers have reached 2,000 families with information about clean technologies.

these practices,” Nahnoush said. The Jordan Valley area is the lowest point on earth. Jordan is characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. Solar water heaters are one of the most-used sources of renewable energy throughout the year in Jordan. The challenge communities face in adopting these heaters is their limited incomes and the high costs of the product — around 500 JOD ($705 US).

This is where JVL’s project, the community-based organization and Nahnoush’s role comes in; helping communities adopt solar water heaters and PV systems while supporting them in finding ways to finance these technologies. Al Blaylat worked relentlessly to gain

her community’s trust and support and to find inspiring and passionate ambassadors to raise awareness about clean technologies within the community. With 15 volunteers, her target was to reach 900 families in the area. “It was difficult to gain the community’s support since I am a young woman running the CBO and having them understand the aims behind the organization.”

Still, she exceeded her target and reached 2,000 families.

Through the volunteers, the families learned ways of saving energy, understood the benefits of using solar power, and found a difference in their electricity bills after installing the solar system and using energy efficiently at home. “Families were

reluctant to pay JOD 500, but I told them that there are ways to borrow the money with low interest rates and was able to link them with organizations that could support them,” Nahnoush said.

To help these families find sources of income, the JVL project is also introducing savings and loans groups, which will help families save money as a community and use the money later for a project, item or service they want to buy.

Nahnoush continues to raise awareness about clean technologies within his community, something he enjoys and loves to do on the side. He hopes to eventually implement one of the many ideas he has for clean technologies. ◆

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