The workshops were designed to raise awareness of the Local Administration Law, strengthen civic engagement, and encourage greater involvement of youth and women in local governance structures. In total, the initiative engaged participants from diverse communities and fostered dialogue on the future of local administration and political participation in Jordan.
Zarqa | 21 October 2025
The first workshop was held in Zarqa in cooperation with the Women’s Empowerment Unit at the Greater Zarqa Municipality with the attendance of Dr. Ali Al-Khawaldeh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs. The workshop brought together 30 young women and men from Zarqa and its surrounding areas. Municipal governance expert Mr. Rakez Al-Khalayleh provided participants with an overview of the legislative framework governing municipal and governorate councils, while also highlighting the historical development and role of municipalities in Jordan.
Amman | 26 October 2025
The second workshop took place in Amman in cooperation with the Princess Basma Center and gathered 32 young participants from Al-Nozha and neighbouring areas. Dr. Ahmad Al-Jribia introduced key concepts related to municipalities, local elections, and local administration, with a focus on the current Local Administration Law. Discussions also explored decentralisation, sustainable development, and the roles of municipal councils, executive councils, and governorate councils in promoting participatory governance.
Shobak | 3 November 2025
Organized in partnership with the Women’s Shobak Association, the third workshop featured Dr. Osama Al-Saleem, who provided an overview of the upcoming local elections and the existing local administration framework. Participants engaged in discussions on strengthening development processes and increasing youth and women’s participation in local governance.
Hashimi Al-Shamali | 12 November 2025
The fourth workshop was conducted at the Qalqilya Association in Hashimi Al-Shamali and was facilitated by Dr. Layal Essou. Participants, all of whom were visually impaired, received an overview of the legislation governing municipal and governorate councils and discussed the historical role of municipalities in Jordan’s development. The session concluded with an interactive dialogue in which participants contributed recommendations aimed at enhancing development and ensuring greater inclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.
Irbid | 2 December 2025
The fifth workshop was organized in cooperation with Majd Al Urdon for Sustainable Development at the Union of Charitable Societies Hall in Irbid. Led by Dr. Ahmad Al-Jribia, the session focused on local administration, decentralization, electoral participation, and opportunities available to youth and women within the local governance framework. Participants explored different forms of political participation, including candidacy, voting, and election campaigning, while discussing reforms aimed at increasing representation and engagement.
Azraq | 11 December 2025
The sixth and final workshop was held in cooperation with the Ala Qadr Ahl Al-Azm Association in Azraq. Facilitated by Dr. Osama Al-Saleem, the workshop emphasized the role of youth and women in elections and local governance and highlighted their contribution to improving public services and quality of life in local communities. The session featured active discussions and valuable participant contributions on enhancing community participation.
Key Recommendations
Throughout the workshop series, participants formulated several recommendations to strengthen inclusiveness and participation in local governance:
- Introducing a dedicated quota for youth and young women within the Local Administration Law to ensure effective representation.
- Establishing legally recognized volunteer committees linked to local administration councils, including youth and women’s committees, to support community initiatives and monitor service delivery.
- Creating advisory committees representing different community sectors, including commercial, cultural, and civil society stakeholders, to strengthen local partnerships and citizen engagement.
Outcomes and Impact
The workshop series successfully raised awareness of the Local Administration Law and increased participants’ understanding of local governance structures and electoral processes. Youth and women reported greater confidence in engaging with local governance mechanisms and expressed stronger interest in participating in future elections and public affairs.
A particularly significant outcome was the development of collaborative community networks among participants. Young people established new connections that can serve as platforms for future cooperation, knowledge exchange, and civic action. Similarly, female participants formed informal support networks aimed at promoting women’s leadership, advocating for greater representation, and engaging local authorities on issues affecting their communities.
The project demonstrated the importance of continued civic education and inclusive dialogue in supporting Jordan’s political modernisation process. Sustained efforts in awareness-raising, advocacy, and policy reform will remain essential to ensuring meaningful participation of youth and women in local governance and decision-making.
