Period: Conceptual phase
Country: Jordan, Amman
Partners: The Pantry
Outcome: Arbor Hub

Sustainable well-being and empowered communities: The Hub for a thriving future

Context:

The Hub will be established in the heart of the vibrant city of Amman, strategically located in a diplomatic area near numerous embassies. Surrounding this location are several low-income neighborhoods that house refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. This unique setting presents an opportunity for The Hub to bridge communities and address their diverse needs.

Project:

Comprising a cafe, two gardens, and a versatile community space, The Hub will serve as a center of activity and collaboration. The rent for the premises will be sustainably funded through a recently established small market called The Pantry, which operates on-site.

The community space will occupy an 80-square-meter room and serve as a platform to redefine the narrative around well-being. It will host a wide range of activities and events aimed at promoting individual and community well-being, including yoga sessions, roundtable conversations, and cultural exchanges among various communities.

The cafe will be a gathering space for diverse communities, while also driving economic empowerment, particularly for women. By employing a mix of Jordanians, Syrian refugees, and marginalized refugees from smaller communities, such as Iraqis, Yemenis, Sudanese, and Somalis, the cafe will foster inclusion and provide job opportunities. Furthermore, the cafe will champion sustainable approaches to food, featuring locally sourced and seasonal produce.

The gardens will serve as tangible examples of urban agriculture, showcasing practices like vertical farming and the cultivation of microgreens. To raise awareness about nature-based solutions, The Hub will incorporate sustainable practices such as grey water systems and solar panels. The community space will also offer education and training on these practices, while the produce from the gardens will be sold at the cafe, promoting a cycle of sustainability.

Goal:

The Hub aspires to be a space where communities converge to collectively rethink patterns of food production and consumption, fostering sustainability and improved health. To achieve this, The Hub will actively seek partnerships with a range of organizations, including local civil society groups, urban stakeholders, and rural partners. These partnerships will facilitate the integration of diverse perspectives, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to The Hub's initiatives. By engaging and empowering communities, The Hub aims to create lasting change in the local food ecosystem and promote well-being for all. Embracing values of inclusion, sustainability, and inter-community exchanges, The Hub will serve as a social enterprise dedicated to creating a positive impact.

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