Jordanian non-profit, 7Hills for Social Development, wins sixth International Award

Jordanian non-profit, 7Hills for Social Development, wins sixth International Award

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: 7Hills for Social Development, a Jordan-based non-profit, has been awarded the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA) 2022, organized annually by The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a UAE-based global humanitarian organization dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide.

The sixth edition of the Award, valued at AED 500,000, has recognized the innovative strategy of the non-profit in launching creative youth empowerment programmes and transforming an abandoned area into a fully equipped 650 sqm skatepark which is today creating a stimulating and inclusive environment and creating an integrated new future for refugees and their host communities in Amman, Jordan.

Through a dedicated space for skateboarding, the organization provides a creative and inspiring outlet for children and youth to learn new skills and build confidence. Targeting all age groups, the skateboarding programme benefited more than 2,000 young men and women in 2020-21, 45% of whom are females and 60% are refugees and displaced persons.

Established by a group of young people led by Mohammed Zakaria, a skateboarder and a photographer, the community approach adopted by the Amman-based entity and Al Raseef 153, the social enterprise arm of 7Hills, also annually empowers more than 250 youth –