CROSSDEV Training for SMEs Small Business Development Training Program

EU ENI CBCMD CROSSDEV Training for SMEs Small Business Development Training Program Um Qais – Jordan, December 2021. The European Neighborhood Instrument Cross-Border Cooperation in the Mediterranean (ENI CBCMED), that is funded by the EU, aims to contribute to the economic and social development in the Mediterranean, to strengthen and enhance sustainable tourism practices, emphasize common heritages and resources; specifically: increasing touristic competitiveness & attractiveness of less known destinations, rural/depressed areas; adopting and enhancing cultural routes concepts and experiences in selected areas in four countries. Accordingly, the 3-year CROSSDEV Project was created and is running in Italy, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.

The Jordan CROSSDEV training will be focusing on a less known historical, cultural and archaeological site, in the northern town of Um Qais, and will be carried by the non-profit company Tamkeen for Sustainable Tourism Development (TASUD), in close cooperation and coordination with ENI’s partner in (the North of) Jordan, the Jordan University for Science and Technology (JUST) and in partnership with the Euro-Jordanian Advanced Business Institute (EJABI).

TASUD utilized designed an innovative methodology to implement the training based on the learner centered education theory and experiential learning approach as the most effective method used for community education in rural areas. The aim was to build tourism ethics, tolerance, social responsibility mindset, inclusiveness and critical thinking skills to motivate participants to be responsible service providers able to lead the continuous development of their services to meet tourists , industry new trends and at the same time address the challenges facing their community. The training methodology included  applied training and field visits to relevant hospitality and  tourism industry establishments to help participants promote their business products and develop networks and partnerships.