Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) – Amman
Women from the development workshops of the Dana Biosphere Reserve participated in the activities of the Fourth National Olive Festival, showcasing a variety of exceptional handmade products that reflect high-quality craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.
These products included food items and handcrafted works inspired by the natural environment surrounding the reserve.
This participation comes as part of the efforts of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) – Dana Biosphere Reserve to empower women in local communities and support them economically by providing sustainable job opportunities through the reserve’s workshops. These workshops play a vital role in enhancing women’s contributions to production and marketing, positively impacting their living standards and contributing to food security in the community.
The participation of these women in the festival represents another step toward activating their roles in economic and social life. Such events provide a platform to showcase and market local handmade products, ensuring the sustainability of the workshops and encouraging the development of participants’ skills.
Through this initiative, Dana Biosphere Reserve stands out as a leading example of balancing environmental conservation and social development. It continues to empower women and appreciate their efforts through sustainable programs that reinforce their active role in society.
This initiative is closely linked to the broader objectives of the RES-MAB project, a collaborative international effort spearheaded by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in partnership with nine other Mediterranean countries. Funded by the PRIMA Foundation, the RES-MAB project integrates the WEFE (Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems) Nexus approach to balance nature conservation and human development in UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves. Through innovative tools and climate-resilient solutions, the project empowers local communities, improves livelihoods, and enhances biodiversity. Dana Biosphere Reserve’s active role in this initiative underscores its commitment to fostering sustainable development, promoting economic empowerment, and confronting the challenges posed by climate change, making it a regional leader in aligning conservation with socio-economic growth.