Jordan Integrated Landscape Management Initiative (JILMI)

Jordan faces extreme water scarcity, exacerbated by its arid climate and high temperatures, which often exceed 40°C in the summer. With only 125 cubic meters per capita per year of available water, Jordan is the fifth most water-stressed country globally. Climate change projections indicate worsening conditions, with reduced rainfall and increased evaporation rates leading to extended droughts and a shorter rainy season. This exacerbates the already severe water deficit and threatens agricultural production and food security.  To address these challenges, this project supports integrated land and water resources management interventions. This approach seeks to transform landscape and water resources management in Jordan from a fragmented, sector-specific approach to an integrated, climate-resilient model, emphasising gender-responsive approaches to increase women's participation and resilience.  The project will improve ecosystem management through land restoration. It will improve agricultural practices and manage aquifer recharge; deploy rainwater harvesting; reduce evaporation from the King Talal Dam; and strengthen water governance. In addition, a water fund will be established to promote the scale-up and the sustainability of good landscape management practices and promote water conservation in the agriculture sector, which currently takes the largest share of water demand. This funding proposal was developed with support provided by the GCF Project Preparation Facility.