Harvesting Opportunity: Impact and Sustainability of Season’s Markets in Jordan From Local Markets to Sustainable Livelihoods
The Season’s Market initiative demonstrates how inclusive, low-barrier local markets can become practical pathways for sustainable livelihoods, economic inclusion, and stronger market access for refugees, women, informal workers, and home-based entrepreneurs in Jordan. Implemented by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) in collaboration with the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC), under the project Future Forward: Unlocking Sustainable Local Opportunities, with support from the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP), the initiative provides evidence that locally driven economic models can turn skills, creativity, and community knowledge into income-generating opportunities. About the Report This report assesses the impact of ARDD’s Season’s Market initiative across six seasonal bazaars held in Amman between 2024 and 2025. Drawing on vendor surveys and focus group discussions, it examines how organized local markets contribute to income generation, business development, market access, and social and professional networking. While the findings are based on a pilot sample, they offer important insights into the potential of seasonal markets as scalable and sustainable livelihood platforms. Key Findings The report shows that Season’s Markets created tangible economic and social outcomes for participating vendors: 92% reported the bazaar as a primary source of income during participation. 100% reported increased sales during the bazaars. 92% gained access to new customers or markets. 100% established valuable business contacts. 92% reported improvements in products, sales methods, or customer engagement. 58% experienced a significant increase in sales. These findings highlight the value of local markets not only as spaces for trade, but as platforms for confidence-building, business growth, and inclusive economic participation. Why It Matters In Jordan, many refugees, women, informal workers, and home-based entrepreneurs face barriers to entering the formal labor market. These barriers are often not linked to a lack of skills, but to limited access to regulated, affordable, and supportive economic platforms. Season’s Markets help bridge this gap by providing accessible spaces where vendors can sell, test products, build customer relationships, improve business practices, and connect with wider networks. From Pilot to Policy The report argues that local markets should be recognized as more than temporary livelihood interventions. With supportive policies, flexible licensing, simplified procedures, and institutional investment, seasonal markets can become sustainable economic tools that contribute to inclusive local development. The findings call for greater investment in community-based livelihood models that are rooted in local realities and capable of being expanded across Jordan. Recommendations The report offers recommendations for policymakers, donors, civil society, and the private sector, including: Integrating local markets into livelihood and economic inclusion strategies. Supporting flexible regulatory and licensing frameworks. Investing in market infrastructure and vendor capacity-building. Expanding seasonal market models beyond Amman. Strengthening partnerships between vendors, civil society, donors, and the private sector. This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP III) for Jordan and Lebanon, which is supported by Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The content of this document is the sole responsibility of ARDD and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the RDPP or its donors.
What Future for Localization in Jordan? Reflections and Strategic Directions (2019–2028)
Localization has become one of the defining debates shaping the future of development and humanitarian action worldwide. In Jordan, years of policy commitments, dialogue, and partnership-building have contributed to growing recognition of the role of local and national actors in responding to humanitarian needs and advancing sustainable development. Yet important questions remain regarding leadership, decision-making, financing, and the extent to which localization has translated from aspiration into practice. This publication examines the state of localization in Jordan between 2019 and 2028, reflecting on progress achieved, persistent challenges, and emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing aid landscape. Drawing on a national baseline survey, stakeholder consultations, interviews, and a review of key initiatives and experiences, the report explores how localization is understood, implemented, and experienced by different actors across Jordan. Beyond assessing the current situation, the publication adopts a forward-looking perspective. It considers possible future scenarios for localization in the context of shifting donor priorities, evolving humanitarian needs, growing pressures on civil society, and increasing calls for locally led development. The analysis highlights the importance of equitable partnerships, quality funding, local leadership, and enabling policy environments as critical foundations for a more sustainable and effective ecosystem. Developed as part of ARDD’s localization agenda by the Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) in collaboration with the Jordan National NGOs Forum (JONAF) and the Global Mentoring Initiative (GMI), this publication forms part of the Future Forward: Unlocking Sustainable Local Opportunities project, implemented with support from the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP). The report seeks to contribute to ongoing dialogue among policymakers, donors, civil society organizations, international actors, researchers, and practitioners on the future of localization in Jordan and the pathways toward a more locally led, equitable, and resilient development and humanitarian system. This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP III) for Jordan and Lebanon, which is supported by Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The content of this document is the sole responsibility of ARDD and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the RDPP or its donors.
Education: Shaping Character and Identity Unlocking Girls’ Leadership Potential
Jordan has made significant progress in girls’ education. Girls consistently outperform boys in literacy, school completion, and academic achievement, and the country has achieved near-universal enrollment in basic education. Yet these educational gains have not translated into equal participation in public life. Women remain underrepresented in politics, leadership positions, and the labor market, where female participation has remained between 13–15% in recent years. This raises a critical question: why does educational success not translate into leadership, agency, and participation for girls and young women? This report examines how teachers, school environments, curricula, extracurricular activities, and family engagement shape leadership opportunities for girls and young women in Jordan. Drawing on mixed-methods research conducted in public schools in Amman and Mafraq, the study explores both the role teachers play in encouraging leadership and the broader structural barriers that limit these efforts. The findings show that teachers play a significant role in fostering confidence, participation, responsibility, and public speaking skills among students, particularly girls. Many teachers use active learning methods and classroom responsibilities, such as the “little teacher” approach, to encourage leadership and participation. However, these efforts are constrained by overcrowded classrooms, administrative burdens, limited resources, and the pressure of the Tawjihi examination system, which prioritizes memorization and curriculum completion over creativity, participation, and skill development. The research also demonstrates that gendered expectations continue to shape classroom interactions and perceptions of leadership. Girls are often associated with modesty, obedience, and emotional sensitivity, while boys are linked to assertiveness and authority. Although many teachers actively encourage girls’ participation, these broader stereotypes continue to influence how leadership is understood and practiced within schools. The curriculum itself remains limited in its ability to cultivate leadership skills. Teachers and students alike described the curriculum as overly exam-oriented and lacking strong, culturally relevant female role models. Leadership development therefore depends largely on individual teachers rather than systematic educational approaches. At the same time, important disparities exist between schools and regions. Students in underserved areas, particularly in Mafraq, face limited access to libraries, theaters, extracurricular activities, and psychosocial support services, restricting opportunities for participation and self-development. The report further highlights the importance of family engagement. Previous and current findings show weak and inconsistent communication between schools and families, particularly beyond the early years of schooling. In many cases, teachers are left to negotiate individually with parents to secure girls’ participation in activities and leadership opportunities. The report argues that strengthening girls’ leadership requires moving beyond narrow understandings of academic achievement toward a broader vision of education as a space for shaping character, confidence, participation, and social responsibility. Supporting girls’ leadership cannot depend on teachers alone. It requires investment in the wider educational environment, including curriculum reform, psychosocial support services, extracurricular activities, equitable resource distribution, and stronger parent-school partnerships. Key recommendations include reducing administrative burdens on teachers, reforming aspects of the Tawjihi system, expanding gender-responsive teacher training, increasing the representation of women in school curricula, investing in extracurricular and leadership programs, strengthening psychosocial support services, and improving communication between schools and families. Ultimately, the gap between girls’ academic success and their underrepresentation in public life is not merely an educational issue, but a broader societal challenge. Without addressing the structural conditions that limit girls’ opportunities to develop confidence and leadership, the education system risks losing the potential of an entire generation of young women.
The Only Constant is Change: Jordanian Youth on Driving Social Change
This report examines how Jordanian youth understand, experience, and navigate social change, focusing on their aspirations, perceived roles, and the structures that enable or constrain meaningful transformation. It is the third study produced under the New Generation – GenG program and builds on four years of research, policy engagement, and youth-led advocacy. The GenG program aims to foster gender-just and violence-free societies through youth leadership, civic engagement, and policy influence. Drawing on mixed qualitative and quantitative methods—including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, desk reviews, and Policy Labs—the research explores: Youth aspirations for a better future in Jordan The role young people see for themselves in driving social change The institutional, social, and economic structures shaping youth agency The findings highlight three core areas youth identify as critical for change: education reform, economic justice, and meaningful political participation. While young people strongly value collective action, the study reveals a persistent gap between awareness-raising and structural engagement, driven by economic disenfranchisement, institutional mistrust, and shrinking civic space. The report concludes with actionable recommendations directed at government institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, and community leaders. These recommendations emphasize bridging education and labor market needs, strengthening youth-inclusive governance, fostering intergenerational dialogue, enhancing digital and media literacy, and developing long-term, non-exploitative partnerships with youth. This research contributes to a growing evidence base positioning youth not as passive beneficiaries, but as strategic actors navigating complex realities in pursuit of inclusive and sustainable social change.
How TFGBV Impacts the Democratic Participation of Young Women: Jordan as a Case Study
Digital spaces have become vital arenas for democratic participation in Jordan, particularly for young women who face structural exclusion from traditional public life. Yet these same spaces are increasingly weaponized through Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), a growing form of harm that undermines women’s safety, voice, and political agency. This research is conducted as part of the New Generation Project (GenG), an initiative focused on strengthening youth civic engagement, inclusive participation, and democratic governance. Within this framework, the study examines how TFGBV functions as a mechanism of democratic exclusion, systematically pushing young women out of online public spaces and into silence. Drawing on mixed-methods research, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and expert consultations, the study documents how online harassment, blackmail, defamation, and digital shaming intersect with social norms of honor and stigma to produce severe offline consequences, ranging from psychological harm to withdrawal from education, activism, and political life. The findings reveal a powerful “chilling effect”: fear of violence leads young women to self-censor, anonymize their identities, or disengage entirely from digital platforms that are central to modern civic participation. In this way, TFGBV is not only a gender-based violence issue, but a democratic one, eroding digital citizenship and deepening existing political inequalities. The report also maps legislative, institutional, and sociocultural barriers to reporting TFGBV in Jordan and offers actionable, multi-level recommendations for government institutions, the justice sector, civil society, digital platforms, and communities. It calls for gender-sensitive legal reform, survivor-centered reporting mechanisms, decentralized support services, and long-term social change to protect women’s rights online and safeguard the democratic potential of digital spaces. This study aims to contribute to national and regional debates on youth, gender, digital governance, and democratic participation, reinforcing ARDD’s commitment to amplifying young people’s voices and advancing inclusive, rights-based democracies in the digital age.
Gatekeepers and Enablers – Fathers, Brothers, and Girls’ Leadership in Jordan and Egypt
In both Jordan and Egypt, fathers and brothers play a pivotal role in fostering girls’ and young women’s leadership in the Arab world. According to the survey, 99% of respondents – including fathers, brothers, and girls from Jordan and Egypt – recognized the father’s role as important in supporting girls and young women to assume leadership positions within their families and communities, with 91% describing it as very important. Similarly, 83% of participants identified the role of brothers as either very important (56%) or important (28%), while a small proportion remained neutral (13%) or considered it not important (2%). Fathers, in particular, are seen as key guiding figures in their daughters’ professional development, providing both financial support and mentorship, especially in education and career advancement. In the in-depth individual interviews, all fathers (5/5) emphasized that they encourage their daughters to take on leadership roles within the family, with the goal of becoming self-reliant and financially independent. A main sphere of support provided by male family members is the investment in girls’ educational journeys. As confirmed by all girls during individual interviews (18), their fathers cover university fees and actively support additional educational opportunities, such as trainings and workshops, contributing to build girls’ independence and self-confidence. Nonetheless, while male figures provide considerable support, challenges remain for their engagement in women’s leadership. Social and cultural norms continue to shape men’s perceptions of women’s roles and capacities. For instance, only a minority of fathers expressed support for their daughters’ freedom to travel for study or work reasons, citing among the concerns potential social judgment from community members. Moreover, interviews with brothers reflected social stereotypes as they reiterated the belief that, to assume leadership positions, women should “set aside their emotions,” or work in socially accepted fields, such as education. As societal norms gradually evolve, fathers and brothers often find themselves mediating between traditional expectations and emerging realities. By involving their daughters in decision-making processes and supporting their economic independence, fathers and brothers can play a pivotal role as intermediaries, bridging traditional social norms with more equitable divisions of roles within the family and society. According to the research, in contexts where social and cultural norms continue to restrict women’s opportunities, particularly in rural areas, fathers often serve as key allies, supporting young women in pursuing educational and leadership opportunities.
Evolving Perspective: Leadership Qualities among Young Men and Women in Jordan
What does leadership mean to young women and men in Jordan today—and how are they redefining it in the face of societal norms and challenges? As part of the New Generation (GenG) program, ARDD conducted action research to explore youth perceptions of leadership, with a particular focus on gender dynamics, civic engagement, and the role of social capital. The study reveals both persistent barriers and promising change. While traditional expectations continue to shape attitudes toward leadership, youth are increasingly emphasizing qualities such as empathy, inclusivity, cooperation, and ethical decision-making. The findings also highlight the importance of female role models, intergenerational dialogue, and civic participation as key drivers of more inclusive leadership. This research contributes to the growing movement for gender justice and youth empowerment. It calls for new models of leadership that go beyond stereotypes, embrace diversity, and enable young women and men alike to play an active role in building fairer, more participatory, and more just societies.
Passive or Restrained?
Youth civic engagement and political participation
This research is the first in a series of research works that will be conducted within the framework of New Generation project. It focuses on the meaning of political participation for youth, building on the findings of the Generation G baseline report. The objective of this study is to identify the obstacles and opportunities for enhanced youth civic participation in Jordan and the forms of civic engagement most conducive to the interests. It breaks down and demystifies the concept of political participation by working on defining with youth to define various concepts that relate to political participation and the possible role of youth in making change happen. The research focuses on the needs and perspectives of the Jordanian youth as the principal target of the project, and explores what underlies their needs, expectations, and perspectives. It was conducted between July and November 2022 in Jordan amongst members of five youth networks across the country. The research methodology built on networks and groups engaged with ARDD in various projects and activities, and the process of data collection was itself part of the raising awareness pathway. The methodology for the research used mixed tools, including a survey, eight focus group discussions and 26 semi-structured interviews. The analysis and findings of the report build on the results of the 2021 baseline report and a brief literature review on the topic of MENA youth political participation and civic engagement. Moreover, policy labs and awareness-raising sessions were organized to engage youth in a more meaningful and participatory manner during the research process. Incorporating youth’s perspectives, this research seeks to clarify different political participation concepts and explore the potential role of youth in driving societal change.
Walking On Eggshells: Pathways to Equality in Jordan
A Civil Society Perspective on the Beijing Declaration Commitments
This Shadow Report is an independent civil society assessment of Jordan’s progress over the past five years in implementing the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA). It provides an evidence-based perspective rooted in grassroots voices and feminist advocacy. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are crucial in translating policies into practice, advocating for reforms, and addressing gender inequalities through community-based approaches. Their contributions ensure that national achievements align with the lived realities of women across various Jordanian communities. This report is a collaborative effort led by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) and the Jordanian National NGOs Forum (JONAF), reflecting diverse perspectives. Through their grassroots networks, JONAF provides a platform for community organizations and women’s rights groups to engage in political advocacy and accountability efforts. While national and regional reports on “Beijing+30” highlight legislative progress and institutional reforms, they may not fully capture implementation realities or the daily struggles of women and marginalized groups. This shadow report serves as a civil society accountability mechanism, evaluating Jordan’s commitments under the Beijing Declaration through an inclusive, rights-based lens. It focuses on the voices of women from diverse backgrounds, aiming to bridge the gap between political commitments and on-the-ground realities by assessing progress, identifying key obstacles, and providing evidence-based recommendations.
Advancing Equality: Assessing Women’s Machineries in the Arab Region
The establishment of women’s machineries has been prioritized since 1975 by the international community when the United Nations held the first World Conference on Women in Mexico. In 1995 the Beijing Platform for Action (BPA) acknowledged that most member states established machinery for the advancement of women in their countries but noted that these machineries are “diverse in form and uneven in their effectiveness”. The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD)´s think tank; The Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC) is undertaking this regional review, with a focus on women’s machineries in the Arab world, as part of the review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPA) thirty years after its adoption. The role of women’s machineries in promoting gender justice and the empowerment of women and girls is crucial. These institutions can create impactful changes for women, girls, and the most vulnerable among them. They serve as the entry point for mainstreaming gender in public policies and legal frameworks. Efforts to establish national machineries for the advancement of women’s and girls’ rights in the Arab world began as early as the 1990s. However, the effectiveness of these women’s machineries remains a significant question for the women’s movement in the region. Considering the importance of these machineries for the advancement of women in the region ARDD takes the opportunity of the Beijing + 30 review to assess where they stand, how they dealt with the challenges identified in previous review processes, and develop a reflection that could frame and support women’s movements advocacy in the region.