Social Innovation: Bringing hope to Syrian refugee youth in Jordan

138,000 of the 1.3 million Syrians residing in Jordan live in Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps. Over 60% of this camp population is under 25 and many have an incomplete education and little hope for the future. Since... [ view full abstract ]

138,000 of the 1.3 million Syrians residing in Jordan live in Azraq and Za’atari refugee camps. Over 60% of this camp population is under 25 and many have an incomplete education and little hope for the future. Since October 2016, RI has been operating seven Social Innovation Labs (SIL) in the camps. Designed by and for adolescents, SIL are creative learning and recreation spaces. Over a four-month period, adolescents collaborate to identify social issues and find creative, low-cost, local solutions. Initial findings are positive: i) increased social-emotional skills including critical and creative thinking and teamwork skills; ii) reduced harmful norms of gender and age; iii) increased sense of purpose and future aspirations, including the desire to enrol in or return to education. RI will discuss successes and challenges and how this innovative NFE approach is helping to reduce ongoing education marginalisation and inequity within a youth refugee population.