A new community digital center was inaugurated in Kitteh-Jerash, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MODEE) and funded by the European Union. The Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, H. E. Ahmad Al Hanandeh, EU Ambassador to Jordan, H.E. Maria Hadjitheodosiou, and CEO of Orange Jordan, Thierry Marigny, attended the event as part of the Innovation Space project, a 3-year program co-funded by the European Union’s Innovation for Enterprise Growth and Jobs program - Innovate Jordan.

The EU-funded center falls under the strategic partnership of Orange Jordan and MODEE, by establishing three digital centers in Jerash, Zarqa, and Madaba to increase the number of beneficiaries of digital training to enhance youth’s employability, as well as innovative and entrepreneurial skills in the different governorates and link them to the labor market.

The digital centers will catalyze investments to ensure the maturity of the emerging digital economy and culture of innovation in Jordan, aiming to boost social inclusion with attention to women and youth.

The Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, H. E. Ahmad Al Hanandeh, affirmed the importance of Orange Digital Centers, as it connects with youth across the Kingdom to provide them with tools and skills in the job market and entrepreneurial scene, to enhance their socio-economic contribution. In extension, he noted the importance of increasing the number of beneficiaries across the governorates to offer digital training and improve innovative skills among youth within the Ministry framework, in cooperation with partners in the private sector to boost youth employability and start their projects.

The EU Ambassador in Jordan, H.E. Maria Hadjitheodosiou, said: “The EU aims to nurture innovative digital transformation in many sectors of the Jordanian economy through empowering youth in digital skills so they can take advantage of job opportunities or to start their businesses. Our program also aims at mainstreaming digital entrepreneurship and a culture of innovation across the Kingdom.”

CEO of Orange Jordan, Thierry Marigny, commended the partnership with the EU and MODEE, highlighting the importance of empowering youth digitally and equipping them with the skills necessary for jobs and launching projects, to enhance their socio-economic contribution, in line with Orange's corporate social responsibility strategy that focuses on digital education and inclusion.

The EU-funded - Innovation Space is a pioneering initiative in Jordan and a one-stop-shop for digital innovation and entrepreneurial support. It will introduce digital culture to the youth, foster digital skills, especially among women and youth, and promote and nurture entrepreneurship by identifying key opportunities for digital economic growth.