The Jordan Times
By Laila Azzeh


AMMAN — Winners of this year′s Princess Basma Award for Human Development and Community Service tapped into different, yet crucial issues: renewable energy and entrepreneurship.

Fada Hadidi, who runs a charitable society in Deir Alla, shared the award with Omar Nimri, the director of INJAZ′s entrepreneurship academy.

Her dedication to serving her local community prompted Hadidi to implement a project to reduce electricity bills in a region known for high temperatures during the summer season.

“I wanted to help people enjoy better economic conditions. Electricity bills were considered a huge burden for the vast majority of people,” she said during a ceremony on Monday.

To this effect, Hadidi carried out a project that installed solar energy systems for 98 families.

“My goal is to reach another 95 households,” she said.

For Nimri, entrenching a culture of innovation among young people is a mission he is committed to achieving.

Through the entrepreneurship academy, a total of 47 start-ups have been established and registered at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

During the ceremony, HRH Princess Basma highlighted the philosophy of the award, which she said was to shed light on inspiring and innovative projects that have a positive impact on their communities.

The award, which was launched in 2011 by the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), aims to encourag-e citizens to participate actively in developing their community and country.

The princess presented the awards to the winners, whose projects competed with 40 other schemes.

In previous remarks, Amal Sabbagh, the head of the award committee, said applications undergo “strict” evaluation to make sure they are in line with the committee’s standards.

During the ceremony, also attended by JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani, a panel discussion was held, allowing the audience to learn more about the award winners in previous years.