Danish-supported civil society partners in Jordan

Caritas Denmark is supporting Caritas Jordan (CJ), which has long-standing experience of working with refugees and vulnerable people across the country. The organization was officially established and registered under the Lebanese Ministry of Social Development in 1968, following the large influx of Palestinian refugees to Jordan. Since its foundation, CJ has been responding to humanitarian crises that affect Jordan, such as the influx of Iraqi refugees during the Gulf wars in 1991 and 2003. Since June 2011, CJ has been active in responding to the massive influx of refugees into Jordan due to the Syrian crisis. In Jordan, CJ is active in nine governorates, through a network of 26 centres staffed by 400 trained staff members who are being supported by a network of more than 3,000 trained volunteers (including Syrian refugee volunteers, both male and female).

The Jordanian national health system has limited capacity to absorb the increased demand and needs of new patients. Therefore, Caritas Jordan provides, without any discrimination, the access to basic and emergency health care services to the most vulnerable refugees and host community with the aim to meet their health needs through its 12 health care centres and medical outreach team spread all over Jordan.

Example of project
Caritas Jordan Health Programme, supported by Caritas Denmark, contribute to improving the health status of Jordanian host communities, Syrian and non-Syrian refugees by meeting humanitarian health needs, promoting resilience, and strengthening the national health system and services (ref.: Jordan Response Plan 2020-2022). This is achieved through the fulfilment of three interlinked outcomes: 1) increased access, uptake, and quality of health care services, 2) strengthened health promotion, particularly on Non-Communicable Disease (NDC) risk reduction and maternal & neonatal best practices, and 3) strengthened capacity of beneficiaries, Caritas Jordan and the national health care system.

Local partners
Caritas Jordan. Caritas Jordan works in close partnership with the Jordanian Ministry of Health, the Royal Health Awareness Society, the Institute for Family Health, the High Health Council among others.

Read more about Caritas Denmark on its website here:
Caritas Danmark

Denmark supports DRC's efforts to help Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in Jordan to access their fundamental rights through protection services. This includes psychosocial support, social and legal counselling and interventions related to gender-based violence. It includes a special focus on women and young people. The DRC has been successful in engaging local authorities and ministries around protection issues, as well as by focusing on capacity building of civil society partners. DRC also works to promote self-sufficiency through career guidance, vocational training, information on decent working conditions, etc. Finally, the DRC works to promote sustainable solutions for all groups affected by displacement.

Example of project

The project "Strengthening the Social and Economic Self-Help of Syrian Refugees and Affected Host Communities in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey" aims to support displaced persons by accessing markets in camps and urban areas to make money in a safe and dignified manner. At the same time, efforts are being made to change structural barriers and protection-related challenges that prevent vulnerable people from achieving financial security and self-sufficiency. In Jordan, the project is implemented in the Azraq refugee camp, where refugees are provided with technical training on product development such as tailoring, carpentry, shoe repair and carpet making, or digital employment training including English or ICT skills training. Subsequently, a portion of these refugees are linked with income generating opportunities. Jordanians in the city of Azraq are also given opportunities to participate in similar activities. This is a multi-year project ongoing till the end of the year 2025.

The project “Bridging the prevention gap in Jordan and Lebanon: evidence-based behaviour-change programming for more protective homes and communities” aims to build on the foundation of the Gender-Based Violence Prevention Evaluation Framework (GBV PEF) and contribute to addressing gaps in the prevention of GBV  and child protection risks among refugee and host communities in Jordan and Lebanon, with contextualised resources for designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating prevention at household level and essential response services. The project aims to bring substantial medium to long-term positive change for the targeted individuals, households, and communities by enhancing their resilience to protection threats and fostering positive behaviour change. DRC also works to build local partners’ organisational and technical capacities to deliver sustainable tested and impactful prevention programming during and beyond the project lifetime, which is planned to be completed by the end of the year 2024. In Jordan, the project is implemented in the governorates of Amman, Madaba, and Karak.

The project “Addressing Critical Protection Gaps through Integrated Protection and Economic Recovery Solutions” provides preventive and responsive protection services addressing different forms of abuse and violence to vulnerable individuals affected by the Syrian conflict, build capacity of local protection actors, and increase access to labour markets and sustainable economic opportunities for the project’s participants.

In Jordan, the project is implemented in the governorates of Irbid and Mafraq, and in the Azraq camp, and is closing by the end of May 2023.

Areas
In Jordan, the Danish Refugee Council works in the governorates Amman, Karak, Ma’an, Madaba, Irbid, Mafraq, Azraq city and Azraq refugee camp.

Local partners
Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), Jordan River Foundation (JRF), the Institute for Family Health (IFH), Aydoun Charity and Al-Erfan Charitable Society.

Read more about the Danish Refugee Council on its website here:
DRC | Dansk Flygtningehjælp

ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR) operates in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria where it supports young people and women. AAAR has three main priorities: humanitarian response and protection, women’s rights and youth civic and political participation. AAAR is working through women and youth led local organizations strengthening the participation of women and youth, especially girls, and their community based organization in local and national development processes. AAAR has established women safe spaces and youth hubs in the three countries to offer safe spaces to empower women and youth to lead and cascade sustainable change in their communities. Furthermore, AAAR aims to address structural causes of violence against women and girls, as well as strengthen and secure women’s economic justice by engaging local communities and partners involved in protracted crisis. AAAR is guided by feminist and human right-based principles and approaches seeking to shift and transform power, through empowerment, solidarity, campaigning and the generation of alternatives.

Example of project

In 2019-2021, AAAR with its local partners Dawaer and USpeak implemented a Youth Emergency project in Lebanon to build hope and agency of youth for collective actions in protracted crisis as an innovative initiative. By the establishment of one Youth Hub in Baalbeck and one Youth Hub in Joub Jannine, the project built capacities of 1,027 young people through vocational training (e.g. photography classes, computer literacy, etc.) and equipped 84 young women and men with skills to lead eight social cohesion actions and two humanitarian responses i.e. Covid-19 in Bekaa and the Beirut Blast. Youth were directly involved in humanitarian responses, strengthening their capacities and management skills, and empowering them to take on their role as change agents in their communities. This increased their sense of hope and usefulness and it helped the communities and vulnerable families. A total of 5,315 community members were reached through youth-led social cohesion and humanitarian action initiatives.

Example of project
As a result of the protracted displacement crisis, refugees and vulnerable host communities are experiencing an increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Women and girls are disproportionately affected and difficult to reach with support. In addition to sexual harassment, honor crimes, polygamy and child-marriage are on the rise. Such cases are often underreported, while services such as psychosocial support can be difficult to access for women, who are often socially and economically isolated. AAAR is trying to change this through the project "Safer cities and gender-relevant public services for women". Here, AAAR educates young men and women in how violence against women is avoided and develops action plans to combat it. The project is implemented in Zarqa and Mafraq in Jordan, areas with many Syrian refugees. Through the project, women and girls get the opportunity to share their stories and get the support they need in safe spaces. In addition, they are encouraged to become leaders in their communities. The project also engages existing local groups, trains leaders and develops materials that can be re-used when training others. Together, they advocate for local authorities and officials to enact policies and laws that will put an end to sexual harassment, gender inequality, and create security for women in public space. In addition, the project seeks to offer women psychosocial support and create sustainable living conditions in the form of small agricultural projects and non-traditional employment sectors.

Areas
Intergovernmental Cooperation is present in the governorates of Zarqa, Mafraq, Amman, Irdbid and Karaq.

Local partners
In Lebanon: Dawaer and USpeak. In Jordan: Family Guidance and Awareness Center (FGAC) and Sama Albadia.

Read more about ActionAid on its website here:
Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (ms.dk)

Oxfam has been in Jordan since the early 1990s, working primarily through Jordanian civil society. As a development organization with a humanitarian mandate, Oxfam provides essential humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanian households, while promoting more sustainable solutions to meet the challenges of a protracted crisis. Oxfam’s work in Jordan focuses on three areas: water, sanitation and hygiene; economic justice; and gender justice.

Example of project
Through the Danish Arab partnership programme, Denmark supports Oxfam’s work to enhance youth participation and employment for young Jordanians and Syrians under the Youth Participation and Employment initiative. Through this programme, Oxfam helps young people, especially young women, to access jobs, start businesses and create change in their communities by providing training, connecting young people to employment and skills development opportunities and building a vision for the full participation of young people in public life. This project is implemented in Amman, Balqa, Tafileh, Madaba, Karak, Ajloun and Aqaba governorates, areas characterized by limited employment opportunities and space for youth civic participation.

Areas
Amman, Balqa, Tafileh, Madaba, Karak, Ajloun og Aqaba.

Local partners
Leaders of Tomorrow, King Hussein Foundation, INJAZ, Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development, Phenix Center for Economics and Informatics Studies and I Dare for Sustainable Development.

Read more about Oxfam IBIS on their website:
Oxfam IBIS | Sammen mod ulighed

NRC is one of the largest non-governmental aid providers in Jordan, providing support to over 200,000 people each year across its Education and Youth, Shelter, Information Counselling and Legal Assistance and Livelihoods programs. Currently, NRC operates in Zaatari and Azraq Camps as well as in the governorates of Irbid, Mafraq, Jerash, Amman, Zarqa, Balqa and Madaba.

Example of project
In Jordan, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), supported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and together with the Seefar Foundation, employs a rights-based approach to (1) empower rights holders to address challenges to legal stay and legal civil documentation; and (2) increase duty bearers’ capacity to deliver inclusive and sustainable services ensuring access to basic legal rights. The ultimate objective of the project is to achieve a system that delivers broader and deeper protection based on sustainable access to rights. Rights holders will be better able to engage with legal protection services to access documentation and maintain legal stay, with a permanent reduction in the effort required. Duty bearers will have stronger capacities to deliver legal stay and documentation services with the same or fewer resources. The project targets Syrian refugees and Jordanians in need of legal civil documentation, including women and youth.

Areas
Refugee camps Zaatari and Azraq, governorates Irbid, Mafraw, Jerash, Amman, Zarqa, Balqa and Madaba

Local partners
Justice Centre for Legal Aid (JCLA) and Tamkeen. Additionally, NRC leverages the expertise of local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) with connections to target refugee groups. 

Read more about the Norwegian Refugee Council on its website:
NRC

The International Center for Religion & Diplomacy (ICRD) works to bridge the gap between religious considerations and global peace-building practices at the grassroots level. In Jordan and Lebanon, the ICRD supports local efforts to create positive change and lasting peace.

Example of project
The project "Increased capacity for change in Jordan and Lebanon through entertainment-based educational offerings" is being implemented in collaboration with ICRD's partners Big Bad Boo Studios, INITIATE and Thaki. The aim is to support efforts to create a safer and healthier environment for upbringing and development among vulnerable children and their families in Lebanon and Jordan. Through the development and wide distribution of an animated series, complemented by targeted teaching materials, the ICRD and its partners aim to address key social issues facing children and families in the region, such as the Syrian refugee crisis, the prevalence of gender-based violence and the importance of mental health.

Areas
Online platforms in Jordan and Lebanon as well as through physical education in schools in Lebanon.

Local Partners
Big Bad Boo Studios, INITIATE and Thaki.

Read more about ICRD on its website here:
International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (icrd.org)

Danmission is an independent faith-based organisation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark. In Jordan, Danmission works through partnerships with religious institutions and civil society organisations. Their work focuses on three overarching themes rooted in Danmission's vision of sustainable existence and peaceful coexistence: 1) Theology and social action 2) Dialogue and peacebuilding 3) Sustainable and just management of natural resources.

Project example
Through the project "Teachers of Tomorrow", teachers in Jordan participated in workshops that built their capacity and skills to be able to spread knowledge about inclusion, pluralism, tolerance and respect for diversity and human rights to their students. Teachers have a strong influence on the lives of young Jordanians; therefore, they must be strong advocates of a culture of peace. In addition, 244 Muslim regional teachers were trained to prevent young Jordanians from being recruited into Islamic State and other radical groups. In the training, the teachers learned new methods to teach the students a tolerant version of Islam, which increases the acceptance of other religions, strengthens citizenship and supports human rights.
This project has ended in 2021, and currently there are no active projects in Jordan. Jordanian participants are part of Danmission’s regional projects.

Areas
Danmission's projects in Jordan take place in several of Jordan's governorates.

Partners
Jordanian Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIFFS)

Read more about Danmission on its website:
Danmission

Save the Children works in Jordan with funds from the Danish government. In Jordan, the focus is on the many Syrian refugees as well as on the most vulnerable children, young people and families in the communities that receive them. In collaboration with Jordanian civil society organizations, Save the Children works to ensure relief and protection, and to help children return to school after a long absence. Save the Children works with local actors to strengthen children's self-esteem and social skills so that they can better protect themselves and others, provide psychological first aid, and initiate creative activities and group courses that allow children to recover from mental war injuries. Save the Children supports young people in their efforts to be heard and have a say.

Example of project
With the project "Off the Streets - Promoting the Rights of Children in Street Situations", Save the Children, with funds from both Denmark and the EU, wants to strengthen civil society in Jordan to promote human rights and democratic reforms and focus on the children and families who various reasons live on the street. The aim is to create a situation where children living on the streets can have a dignified life and are guaranteed protection. Save the Children collaborates with the Justice Center for Legal Aid, but also with a number of ministries and other authorities to ensure both capacity building of the responsible bodies and improved legislation.

Areas
In Jordan, Save the Children works with Danish support at the national level and in a number of different locations across the country.

Local partners
Justice Center for Legal Aid

Read more about Save the Children on its website:
Red Barnet | Støt og red børn i Danmark og resten af verden