The Reality and Challenges of Licensing Community and Small Enterprises in Jordan
Small, medium, and micro enterprises constitute a fundamental pillar of both national and global economies due to their role in promoting growth, sustainable development, and addressing poverty and unemployment. They also provide broad employment opportunities, especially for women, youth, and low-income groups. In Jordan, these enterprises represent about 99.5% of private-sector institutions, reflecting their significance in the national economic structure. Despite this vital role, community and small enterprises face complex challenges that hinder their launch and sustainability, including procedural and bureaucratic complexities, multiple legal authorities, weak financial incentives, and fear of losing social benefits—all of which limit the transition of grassroots initiatives into productive, formalized projects. This paper, issued by the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) as part of the project Future Forward: Unlocking Sustainable Local Opportunities, aims to highlight these challenges, analyze their legal, procedural, and economic dimensions, and present practical recommendations to strengthen the supportive legislative and administrative environment. This would help empower women, youth, and refugees to participate effectively in local development and achieve economic sustainability.
Empowering the Future: Jordanian Youth’s Role in Driving Meaningful Change
Jordanian youth, as the country’s demographic majority, hold great potential to drive meaningful social change. They bring energy, creativity, and a strong awareness of community challenges, actively engaging in civic and social initiatives through grassroots organizing, digital activism, and participation in civil society, highlighting their vital role in shaping the future. However, despite representing a significant portion of the population, young people in Jordan remain largely disengaged from collective action and formal decision-making. Their involvement in civic and social initiatives is often individualistic, lacking the structured unity needed for lasting impact. Additionally, most youth show disinterest and distrust in politics, with voter turnout among young people significantly lower than that of older citizens, and their representation in state institutions is minimal, with a 42% gap in parliamentary representation. The brief is an output of the Youth Civic and Political Participation Policy Labs, conducted by the Arab Renaissance and Democracy (ARDD) as part of the New Generation Program. It highlights the session titled “Empowering the Future: Jordanian Youth’s Role in Driving Meaningful Change,” and what political science and law students from the University of Jordan discussed regarding this matter. Following the labs’ work methodology, the session featured Dr. Mohammad Jreibi, Director of the Thuraya Center for Studies.
Envisioning Change: Aspirations and Perspectives of Jordanian Youth for a Better Future
Jordanian youth, praised by His Majesty King Abdullah as the nation’s “greatest asset and hope for the future,” are energetic, creative, and socially aware. Their digital fluency enables them to mobilize, voice opinions, and connect with global movements. Yet, they face a major challenge: rapid technological change outpaces slower cultural adaptation, creating a gap that hinders collective impact. This policy brief examines how to bridge the disconnect and harness youth potential for structured, meaningful change. The brief is an output of the Youth Civic and Political Participation Policy Labs, conducted by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) as part of the New Generation Program. It highlights the outcome of the session titled “Envisioning Change: Aspirations and Perspectives of Jordanian Youth for a Better Future,” and what political science and law students from the University of Jordan discussed in this regard. Following the lab´s methodology, the session featured anthropologist and researcher Dr. Kamal Mirza.
Two Societies, One Struggle: Reimagining Fatherhood and Female Leadership in Egypt and Jordan
Despite vast differences in geography, population size, and political trajectories, the lived realities of young women in Egypt and Jordan reveal a striking commonality: the enduring influence of family structures shaped by deeply rooted cultural norms, religious interpretations, and mounting economic hardship. Whether in Cairo or Amman, families remain both gatekeepers and potential enablers of women’s public participation. This policy brief examines how evolving family dynamics—particularly the roles of fathers and male relatives—are shaping young women’s access to leadership in both countries. It draws on insights from bilateral consultations with gender and leadership experts convened by ARDD between April and June 2025 under the “She Leads” program. These consultations reflect a growing recognition that gender equality in the Arab world cannot be achieved without rethinking how family and fatherhood are understood and practiced. At the heart of this inquiry lies a key paradox: while young women are entering education and professional spaces in unprecedented numbers, their leadership pathways remain constrained by private sphere dynamics. Decisions about autonomy, mobility, and self-expression are often negotiated—or controlled—within the family. The same religious, cultural, and economic logics that confine women to the domestic sphere can also create openings to renegotiate male roles, transforming them from disciplinarians to allies, from passive providers to active champions of girls’ ambitions. In both Egypt and Jordan, the past two decades have seen gradual but uneven shifts in these roles. Fathers and male siblings are increasingly offering emotional support, moral encouragement, and even mentorship—changes often shaped by education, displacement, or exposure to digital and transnational gender discourses. Digital platforms, in particular, have become arenas where gender norms are both challenged and reinforced, offering spaces for contestation and reconstruction. This policy brief identifies promising practices, challenges, and opportunities to reframe fatherhood as a driver of gender transformation—leveraging cultural continuity to advance equality. While the sociopolitical contexts of Egypt and Jordan differ, their gender struggles are deeply interconnected. Both societies are navigating how to adapt traditional family roles to modern aspirations, and this adaptation—if guided strategically—can unlock the leadership potential of a new generation of young women. The recommendations that follow build on existing cultural foundations, drawing on models of positive male engagement and gender-sensitive family frameworks. They offer a roadmap for institutions, civil society, and development actors committed to advancing gender equality in leadership—transforming the family not as a barrier to overcome, but as a partner in change. This policy brief is part of the “She Leads” project, a joint project of Plan International Netherlands, Defense for Children – ECPAT the Netherlands (DCI-ECPAT), African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), and Terre des Hommes the Netherlands (TdH), targeting social norms in formal and informal institutions in East Africa, West Africa, and the Middle East. As an implementing partner with Terre Des Hommes regionally, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) works towards increased sustained influence of girls and young women (GYW) within the decision-making processes in the MENA region.”
Follow-up to the paper “The General Pardon Law No.5 of 2024 and Its Impact on Refugees: Insights from ARDD”
As part of its ongoing legal efforts in enhancing access to justice, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) issued a legal paper in July 2024 entitled The General Pardon Law No.5 of 2024 and Its Impact on Refugees: Insights from ARDD.”The paper provided a detailed explanation of the key provisions of General Pardon Law No. (5) of 2024, issued on April 2, 2024, and the significance and impact of the law for both Jordanians and refugees. In this context, the paper stated that on May 7, 2024, ARDD submitted a legal petition to the committee formed under the chairmanship of the President of the Court of Cassation, in accordance with Articles (6) and (7) of the General Pardon Law No. (5) of 2024, requesting an official clarification on whether the General Pardon covers: Fines and violations stipulated in the Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs Law and deportation decisions. Fines and deportation decisions contrary to the Labor Law. Fines resulting from violations of the Social Security Law. However, as of the date of publishing the paper, the committee’s decision had not yet been issued, and the organization continued to follow up to obtain the requested clarification as indicated above. Subsequently, the official response from the competent committee was recently issued, explicitly stating that these fines and violations are not covered by the General Pardon. The decision considered that the fines imposed under Article 15 of the Instructions on the Conditions and Procedures for Employing and Recruiting Non-Jordanian Workers represent expenses borne by the State Treasury due to the efforts of the Ministry of Labor and other official bodies in detecting violations, detaining non-compliant workers until their deportation, and covering deportation expenses. The decision also found that this amount constitutes a civil obligation paid to a specific authority when violating the instructions and is paid to a non-judicial entity, thus qualifying as a civil obligation that is not subject to the General Pardon. The same applies to the fine collected from the employer for failing to renew a work permit after 90 days from its expiry date. Likewise, residency fines, deportation, and removal decisions fall under the authority of the Minister of Interior upon the recommendation of the Minister of Labor, unlike the fine stipulated in Article 12 of the Labor Law, which is a criminal penalty imposed on the employer for committing a misdemeanor involving the employment of a non-Jordanian worker without a permit — this fine is covered by the General Pardon. The decision was issued on April 20, 2025.
Redefining Participation: Arab Youth Between Traditional Politics and New Forms of Activism
Over the past five years, the Arab World has faced a series of multifaceted crises that have significantly impacted governance systems and legitimacy. These crises have led to a growing disillusionment among Arab youth and a decline in formal political engagement. This policy brief examines the factors contributing to this demobilization across three levels: international, regional, and national. At the international level, global challenges such as climate change, economic instability, conflict, and the spread of misinformation have fueled frustration and disengagement. At the regional level, in addition to conflicts and insecurity, entrenched systemic issues, including corruption, the absence of long-term youth-focused policies, and the lack of spaces for expression and engagement, have further alienated young people. At the national level, Jordan serves as a case study to illustrate how these broader dynamics shape youth perceptions and civic participation within a specific country context. In response to these challenges, young people have turned to informal activism, including digital engagement, community-based initiatives, and cultural resistance. This policy brief explores the potential and constraints of these alternative avenues, shedding light on how youth navigate restrictive political environments to assert their agency. Ultimately, it provides policy recommendations for governments, civil society, and youth to foster inclusive political participation and rebuild trust in governance structures.
Women, Youth, and Leadership: Lessons Learned
This policy brief explores the evolving dynamics of leadership among youth and women in Jordan, positioning leadership as a central enabler of civic and political participation. It draws on insights from the Youth Civic and Political Participation Policy Lab -organized by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) in collaboration with the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan -particularly the 8th session, Women, Youth, and Leadership: Lessons Learned, held in October 2024. This session served as a validation space, building on discussions from the first three Labs (February–May 2024), where twenty students of political science and law examined topics including: 1) Social Norms and Political Processes; 2) Women’s Leadership in Jordan; and 3) Youth Social Capital. The session also integrated preliminary findings from the 2024 Gen G research on inclusive leadership, exploring how leadership traits and practices can support youth and women’s meaningful engagement across public, private, and civil society sectors.
Exploring Ways to Develop Youth Social Capital in Jordan
This policy brief addresses the role of social capital in Jordan and its impact on community engagement, political participation, and societal development. In particular, it explores the complex dynamics of youth social capital development and socio-cultural barriers to better understand its impact on young generations and enhance social justice among different societal segments. The brief provides recommendations for government institutions, civil society organizations, and media outlets to promote the creation of social capital opportunities for Jordanian youth in political and civic spheres, thereby fostering a more cohesive and just Jordanian society. The brief is an outcome of the Youth Civic and Political Participation Policy Lab, organized by the Arab Renaissance and Democracy Organization (ARDD) in partnership with the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, as part of the New Generation Program. It highlights the seventh session of the lab, “Exploring Ways to Develop Youth Social Capital in Jordan”, and what twenty participants from political science and law students from the University of Jordan discussed in this regard. Following the Lab’s work methodology, the session featured parliamentary and party activist, Dr. Younes Zahran and was moderated by ARDD’s Chief Executive Director, Ms. Samar Muhareb.
Militarization, Climate Change, and Gendered Injustice: The Case of Gaza
Militarization remains a major but often overlooked driver of environmental collapse. While civilian sectors are increasingly held accountable for carbon emissions, military operations, despite their immense environmental footprint, remain largely exempt from international climate agreements. This exemption allows cycles of resource extraction, violence, and ecological destruction to persist unchecked. Nowhere is this intersection more visible than in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have compounded decades of environmental stress. In addition to the devastating humanitarian toll, the targeting of water systems, energy infrastructure, agricultural land, and marine ecosystems has created a severe and long-term ecological crisis. The environmental toll of war in Gaza is stark. The bombardment of urban centres, the targeting of desalination and wastewater facilities, and the destruction of agricultural zones have created a multi-layered crisis. Contamination of air, water, and soil has become both a consequence and a weapon of conflict, undermining local ecosystems and compromising communities’ ability to survive. These impacts reflect a broader global pattern: despite scientific evidence, the environmental consequences of warfare are systematically excluded from international climate reporting. Military emissions are often classified under national security, allowing governments to expand operations without environmental accountability. This report argues that to advance meaningful climate justice, especially in conflict-affected regions like Gaza, militarization must be addressed as a central driver of ecological breakdown. Without confronting the environmental costs of war, global climate efforts will remain incomplete and inconsistent.
Social Norms and Political Processes: Pathways to Enhance Civic and Political Participation
The brief addresses the role of social and gender norms in shaping youth participation, with a focus on equitable access and political inclusion. Acknowledging barriers and opportunities, the brief provides recommendations for government institutions, civil society organizations, and political parties to foster more inclusive spaces for youth engagement by addressing both structural and cultural barriers to participation. The brief is an outcome of the Youth Civic and Political Participation Policy Lab, organized by the Arab Renaissance and Democracy Organization (ARDD) in partnership with the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, as part of the New Generation Program. It highlights the fifth session of the lab titled “Social Norms and Political Processes: Pathways to Enhance Civic and Political Participation”, and what twenty participants from political science and law students from the University of Jordan discussed in this regard. Following the lab’s work methodology, the session featured Dina Al-Basheer, a lawyer and member of the Jordanian Parliament, and was moderated by Ibrahim Al-Adra, Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at the University of Jordan’s Faculty of Arts.