Amman, April 15 (Petra) – The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday to launch a national green innovation award titled "Nature-Based Flood-Resilient Solutions" in Amman.

According to a statement by UN-Habitat, the award seeks to foster environmental awareness, encourage sustainable practices, and promote community involvement in addressing environmental challenges. It specifically targets young innovators and university students, encouraging them to propose nature-based solutions that address the growing threat of flash floods in the capital, driven by climate change and rapid urbanization.

The partnership will support the development and implementation of innovative ideas that enhance Amman’s flood resilience and improve sustainable water management practices. The initiative forms part of the broader Smart Urban Water Management Project, which aims to build adaptive capacities in cities through smart and sustainable solutions.

RSCN Director General Fadi Nasser described the agreement as a unique collaboration that aligns with the society’s strategy to promote nature-based environmental solutions. He emphasized that the Green Innovation Award will help raise public awareness and showcase the role of nature in preserving ecosystems and achieving ecological balance. Nasser also highlighted the value of UN-Habitat’s technical expertise in implementing urban flood resilience initiatives.

UN-Habitat Country Director in Jordan, Dima Abu Diab, noted that the award will adopt a community-based approach, empowering youth to contribute to practical and sustainable water solutions. She commended the collaboration with RSCN and the support of the Dutch Embassy in Amman in advancing local innovation and climate resilience.

The award will be implemented through awareness campaigns, student engagement activities, and a competition to select three winning ideas for development by UN-Habitat. It will be open to university students from specific disciplines, with application details to be announced in the coming months via the official platforms of RSCN and UN-Habitat.

//Petra// AO

15/04/2025 14:01:52