Building on years of shared commitment to the Levant's living craft traditions, Turquoise Mountain and the Embassy of France in Jordan have reaffirmed their collaboration with an expanded programme to safeguard endangered craftsmanship and empower the next generation of artisans.
H.E. Mr Franck Gellet, French Ambassador to Jordan, inspecting students' work at the Turquoise Mountain Institute of Design, Crafts, and Economic Development, Amman
Levantine craftsmanship carries 1,000 years of history. Its intricate traditions, passed down over generations, are recognised worldwide not merely as decorative arts but as living expressions of identity and heritage. At the heart of this region, Jordan stands as a beacon of stability and cultural continuity, even as neighbouring crises place ancestral traditions under growing threat.
Since Turquoise Mountain began its work in the Levant in 2017, its Institute of Design, Crafts, and Economic Development has developed a vision and mission dedicated to maximising impact for artisans and communities alike. The institute has trained 4,000 artisans across a range of crafts and helped artisans to launch new businesses, supporting them and their communities to protect and revitalise cultural heritage.
Salma Al Qatawneh, Turquoise Mountain Jordan Country Director, speaks at 10th anniversary event with Shoshana Stewart, Turquoise Mountain President, and H.E. Mr Franck Gellet, French Ambassador to Jordan
The Embassy of France in Jordan began supporting Turquoise Mountain Jordan in 2023, funding the training of 321 apprentices and enabling the institute to reach over 1,000 indirect beneficiaries. In June 2026, the two organisations celebrated the culmination of this collaboration as apprentices exhibited their graduation projects alongside pieces by master artisans, bridging two generations to mark a decade of achievements in the region.
Building on this success, the new two-year partnership will support a further 740 apprentices and reach 5,000 indirect beneficiaries through online open courses. A new cohort of artisans will gain advanced technical, creative, and entrepreneurial skills through workshops, professional immersion opportunities, and access to start-up financing. They will also benefit from increased market access and professional exposure through craft fairs, collaborations, and strategic partnerships, strengthening the entire Jordanian craft ecosystem.
Work by students of the Institute of Design, Crafts, and Economic Development, Amman
"In a regional context marked by economic challenges and high unemployment, particularly among young people, women and refugees, this initiative uses craftsmanship as a concrete tool for economic development, social inclusion, and cultural preservation," said H.E. Mr Franck Gellet, French Ambassador to Jordan.
Shoshana Stewart, President of Turquoise Mountain, said: "The French Embassy has been a vital partner in helping us demonstrate what is possible when cultural preservation and economic opportunity go hand in hand. What we have built together in Jordan is a model we hope to grow across the region."