Building a Sustainable Future, One Kitchen at a Time

At the Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), we help women-led businesses thrive through smarter, greener choices. Through Microfund for Women (MfW), we supported Amal Ali Al-Thaqali, a home chef from Jabal Al Hussein, to invest in energy-efficient appliances that transformed her kitchen into a cleaner, more comfortable, and more productive space.

For two years, Amal has been running Family Kitchen, preparing cold Arabic dishes from home. Customers order through Careem and other delivery platforms, and her reputation has grown by word of mouth. But her kitchen setup limited comfort and efficiency, making it harder to expand.

With GEFF financing, Amal purchased efficient air conditioners, a dishwasher, and a washing machine. The upgrades made an immediate impact: cooler summers, less time spent on cleaning, and lower energy and water bills. She now has more time to focus on what she does best — preparing fresh dishes for families across Amman.

The investment of US$ 1,884, supported by a cashback incentive of US$ 188.4, is already paying off. Amal’s new appliances save around 2.3 GJ of energy each year and avoid 0.17 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, while improving comfort and hygiene at home.

As Amal explained: “GEFF financing made it possible to create a cleaner, more organized, and energy-efficient kitchen. The new ACs improved comfort, and the dishwasher and washing machine saved time, water, and energy. This allowed me to focus on growing my customer base and improving the quality of my dishes.”

Through GEFF and Microfund for Women, we show how small, home-based projects can benefit from green financing. Amal’s Family Kitchen proves that sustainable choices can create better futures for entrepreneurs and their communities.

The Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) in Jordan is developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).