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All Publications
All Publications
06 May 2026
Integrating the Water- Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus Concept into National Strategies and Planning: Jordan’s Experience
The paper reflects on Jordan’s efforts to move from fragmented sectoral planning towards a more integrated approach to water, energy, food, and environmental governance. It highlights how institutional coordination, national planning, renewable energy integration, treated wastewater reuse, and clima...
Author : Dr. Majd Al Naber
12 Feb 2026
Unlocking Green Finance Instruments for Jordan’s Energy Transition
Jordan’s energy transition, driven by high reliance on energy imports and the imperative to reduce emissions, requires substantial financial
capital. Green finance is a key enabler, yet its progress is shaped by Jordan’s early-stage landscape, where several tools remain underexplored and clear stan...
Author : Samer Fakhoury
12 Feb 2026
Capacity for Change: Strategic Pathways to Scale Climate-Smart Agriculture in Jordan
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an integrated framework for building resilience in agricultural system, promoting environmental sustainability, and addressing pressing challenges of food security and water scarcity. The widespread adoption of CSA in Jordan faces significant barriers, including fi...
Author : Salsabeal Abo-Thrais
12 Feb 2026
The Energy Transition in Jordan: Policy Lessons from Germany and the EU
This paper addresses Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) target of a reliable, sustainable, and interconnected energy sector. To do so, the paper identifies the constraints that limit Jordan’s energy transition and translates them into a reform package. Drawing on Jordanian legal documents,...
Author : Sanad Al-Quran
12 Feb 2026
From Classroom to Community: Leveraging Social Studies Education for Long-Term and Inclusive Economic Growth
Jordan ranks in the bottom 20th percentile of countries globally on social capital indices, indicating low levels of interpersonal trust, civic engagement, and tolerance, which undermine Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision’s goal of inclusive economic growth and improved quality of life. Civic an...
Author : Salma Nasser
12 Feb 2026
Men’s Participation in Jordan’s Early Childhood Education and Care Sector: Barriers, Opportunities, and Policy Directions
This paper examines men’s participation in Jordan’s paid care economy, focusing on early childhood education and care (ECEC), a sector historically dominated by women. It investigates the social, cultural, and structural barriers limiting male involvement, including gender norms, parental expectatio...
Author : Oraib Abu Raideh
12 Feb 2026
Embedding Social Justice in Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision – A Rights-Based Analysis
Social justice principles are commonly adopted in the design and implementation of strategies and projects undertaken by humanitarian actors, including NGOs, civil society, and advocacy groups. However, they are rarely incorporated as a primary lens into economic and governmental reform strategies. ...
Author : Sara Abu Omarah
12 Feb 2026
The Role of Civil Society Organisations as Sites for Knowledge Production in Jordan
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Jordan play a crucial role in development, driving social change, and enhancing the welfare of the country’s citizens. They advocate social protection and human rights, contributing to lifelong learning by providing training and educational services to local com...
Author : Dr Yara Shaban
14 Jan 2026
Green Financial Instruments in the GCC: Trends, Deployment, and Collaboration Pathways
This chapter is part of a joint study group titled “Pathways to Euro-Arab Gulf green partnership: how renewable energy-based manufacturing value chains can expand EU-GCC cooperation in green transition and climate diplomacy” under the EuroMeSCo network. WANA Institute’s Research and Studies Speciali...
Author : Samer Fakhoury
24 Aug 2025
An urban refugee dividend? Rethinking humanitarian aid as WASH investment in Jordan
Since the start of Syria’s prolonged civil war in 2011, refugees have been moving to neighbouring countries, including to Jordan.
Most of the Syrian refugees in Jordan don't live in formal refugee camps, but in urban, peri-urban and rural areas. But these refugees receive only limited support from i...
Author : Lucy Earle, Loan Diep, Deena Dajani, Ghada Balaw, Ala’a Omoush, Kate Crawford, Majd Al Naber, Samer Fakhoury, Margarita Garfias, Royo and Samer Talozi
13 Mar 2025
Navigating Conflict: A Comprehensive Analysis of Water Security and Food Security in Yemen
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused a humanitarian crisis that has become one of the main drivers of water and food insecurity. Yemen has long struggled to meet its water and food needs, producing only ten percent of its requirements while facing an acute water scarcity, resulting in the spread...
Author : Salsabeal Abo-Thrais, Dr. Majd Al Naber, Hesham Ahmed, Satheesh Krishnamurthy
24 Jan 2025
The Role of Human Security in Addressing the Inclusion of Women: Nuclear Security and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Jordan and Egypt
This paper argues for a human security approach to women’s participation in nuclear security that stems from the larger Women, Peace and Security framework. This approach incorporates a gender perspective and a feminist lens that argues that women’s participation should extend beyond the diversity, ...
Author : Dr Yara Shaban, Jasmine Auda
11 Jul 2024
Psychosocial Support Services and Their Impact on People with Hearing and Visual Disabilities and Their Families in Al Karak District
People with disabilities face a range of challenges, from societal exclusion to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. These issues can significantly impede their academic and practical development, often necessitating specialized local psychological and social support services. This paper examine...
11 Jul 2024
Employment of People with Hearing and Visual Disabilities in Al Karak District
This paper sheds light on the issue of employing people with disabilities in Al Karak District by examining the lived reality and identifying challenges from social and economic perspectives. The paper offers a set of recommendations to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities a...
11 Jul 2024
Accessibility for People with Mobility and Visual Disabilities in Al Karak District
The paper focuses on accessibility for individuals with mobility and visual impairments in Al Karak District, encompassing important buildings and main roads. It outlines the major challenges encountered by people with disabilities in terms of accessibility and their ability to participate actively ...
09 Jul 2024
Building on Women’s Needs to Improve the Legal Conditions for Female Participation in the Jordanian Labour Market
This policy paper is part of the project “Policies Against Violence—PAVE,” supported by the European Union and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF). It presents the general legal framework governing women’s participation in the Jordanian Labour market, focusing on issues related to Gen...
Author : Hayat Al-Shoubaki , Dr Yara Shaban, Liliann Saudi, Rawa'a Moumar
13 Jun 2024
The Role of Green Bonds in Enhancing Energy Security in Jordan
The policy brief provides recommendations for the utilisation of green bonds as a financial instrument in enhancing energy security in Jordan. It examines the European Union (EU) green bond market and the European Green Bond Standard (EuGB), including regulatory frameworks and lessons learned to ide...
Author : Samer Fakhoury
19 Dec 2023
Towards Dignified Inclusive Opportunities: Enhancing Self-Reliance and Access to the Formal Labour Market for Refugees and Host Communities
This advocacy paper aims to raise awareness of refugees' accessibility to the formal labour market in Jordan among governments and international stakeholders at the Global Refugee Forum. The paper provides recommendations for reinforced coordination between different stakeholders to promote economic...
Author : Dr Yara Shaban, Marah Jamous
06 Dec 2023
Gender, climate and cohesion - Uncovering the linkages between climate change, human security and gender in Jordan
Women in Jordan are particularly impacted by climate change facing disproportionate economic, social and cultural challenges, and exposure to climate-related social tensions. Furthermore, women and girls can be at increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV) despite these compound challenges, women...
Author : Dr. Majd Al Naber, Reem Alhaddadin, Samer Fakhoury
06 Dec 2023
Gender, climate and cohesion - Uncovering the linkages between climate change, human security and gender in Jordan - Research Summary
Women in Jordan are particularly impacted by climate change facing disproportionate economic, social and cultural challenges, and exposure to climate-related social tensions. Furthermore, women and girls can be at increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV) despite these compound challenges, women...
Author : Dr. Majd Al Naber, Reem Alhaddadin, Samer Fakhoury
21 Nov 2023
Challenges in the WASH Sector in Dahiyet Al Malek Abdallah in Light of the Syrian Refugee Influx
The policy brief presents challenges in the WASH sector in urban refugee-hosting areas and suggests technical and policy recommendations to accommodate the influx of Syrian refugees in Jordan, based on a research study conducted in Dahiyet Al Malek Abdallah in Al Mafraq Governorate.
The policy brief...
Author : Samer Fakhoury , Reem Alhaddadin
01 Aug 2023
Conservation of Oasis Ecosystems in the MENA Region under Water Stress
This report explores the challenges that are facing the oasis ecosystem attributed to climate change and unsustainable practices in different countries in the MENA region including Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Oman and Algeria. The report highlights examples where oasis ecosystems are used as dr...
Author : Samer Fakhoury , Reem Alhaddadin
05 Apr 2023
Scaling up sustainable energy in Jordan’s public buildings: The case for greening schools and hospitals in refugee-hosting countries.
This white paper demonstrates that coordinated efforts to adopt a people‐centred approach to retrofitting and solarizing public buildings can bring national wellbeing, humanitarian and economic gains. The findings and recommendations are the culmination of a series of inter-ministry discussions and ...
Author : Glada Lahn, Eng. Lama Gharaibeh, Dr Majd Al-Naber, Nour Al-Najjar, Reem AlHaddadin, and Dr Sahar Jreisat
13 Dec 2022
Labour Contractual Problems in the Construction Sector in Jordan: Can Innovation Provide Practical Solutions?
The construction sector is becoming a contributor to Jordan’s economy due to its role in raising the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing many workers. With the growing population in Jordan, it is expected that the construction sector will witness further growth. However, Jordanian workers and...
Author : Atallah Mashaqbeh
13 Dec 2022
Overview of the Challenges Facing the Realisation of Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Jordan
This policy paper offers a review of the existing policies on accessibility for persons with disabilities (PwD) in Jordan and sheds light on their experiences in order to identify gaps that hinder the adoption of these policies. This paper discusses how people with disabilities actually experience a...
Author : Enas Alkhatib
13 Dec 2022
The Case for Increased Collaboration Between Academia and Industry in the Food Sector in Jordan
Collaboration between universities and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can facilitate knowledge transfer and stimulate the production of new knowledge and technology. This paper addresses the limited collaboration venues between universities and MSMEs in the food processing sector in Jor...
Author : Reham Al-Hanakta
13 Dec 2022
Civic Technology to Enhance Citizens' Engagement in Jordan's Public Policy
The government of Jordan and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) continue to launch new digital tools to keep up with the globalised world and enhance citizens' engagement through the use of technology. However, the term "Civic Technology" is yet to be introduced into Jordan's public policy, and more...
Author : Shahd Almahameed
13 Dec 2022
Applying a Geopolitical Perspective in Designing Innovation Policies: A Comparative Case Study Between Jordan and Lebanon
This paper argues how a geopolitical perspective can shed light on the dynamics of policymaking and policy recommendations. Introducing a geopolitical point of view might help strengthen the design of innovation policies by considering the geopolitical factors involved in policy success. The geopoli...
Author : Amélie André
08 Dec 2022
Public Policies for Innovation in Jordan: Realities and Ambitions
These policy papers are part of the project entitled "Public Policies for Innovation in Jordan: Realities and Ambitions" implemented jointly by the West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA) and the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) – Jordan Office. The aim of the project is to raise awareness on the iss...
27 Nov 2022
Dropout of Students with Disabilities from Public Schools’ Basic Educational Stage: Jerash Governorate
This policy brief aimed to study the reality of school dropout among students with disabilities from the basic school stage in public schools in Jerash Governorate. This was done in order to reveal the causes of this problem and the extent of its impact on this category of children. It also aims to ...
27 Nov 2022
Micro-Enterprises Run by Women in the Kufranja District: Reality and Challenges
This policy brief aimed to study the reality of women who manage micro-enterprises in the Kufranja District in Ajloun Governorate, and to identify the most important challenges that hinder the process of their economic empowerment through micro-enterprises. The policy brief concludes with a number o...
27 Nov 2022
Women Overburdened by the Public Transport: Obstacles to Economic Participation
This policy brief put forth a number of recommendations addressed to decision and policy makers in the public transportation sector, which aim to improve the public transportation system in Jerash governorate in a manner commensurate with the conditions of women, and in light of their multiple roles...
27 Nov 2022
Promoting Accessible Tourism for Persons With Motor and Visual Disabilities
This policy brief is designed to study the status of the touristic places in Ajloun Governorate, specifically Ajloun Castle and Mar Elias Hill, and the extent to which they are prepared in a manner appropriate for the needs of persons with motor and visual disabilities. The policy brief concluded wi...
27 Nov 2022
Impacts of Domestic Water Supply on Women in Jerash Governorate: Health, Safety and Income
This policy brief is designed to identify the status of domestic water supply in Jerash Governorate, specifically the Al-Mirad area (Sakib, Al-Hawaiyah, and Al-Husayniyyat), and how it impacts on women’s lives. The policy brief concluded that the scarcity of water resources in Al-Mirad area led to a...
17 Jul 2022
Natural Resource Governance in Light of the 2030 Agenda: The Case of Competition for Groundwater in Azraq, Jordan
This study analyses a complex social-ecological system (SES), the case of competition for groundwater in Azraq, in the light of the 2030 Agenda. Building on the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework (IAD) and the concept of Networks of Adjacent Action Situations (NAAS) it assess the compl...
Author : Ines Dombrowsky, Ramona Hägele, Lukas Behrenbeck, Thomas Bollwein, Mirjana Köder, Daniel Oberhauser, Ronja Schamberger, Majd Al-Naber, Marwan Al-Raggad, Elias Salameh
04 Jul 2022
Assessing the Job Creation Potential of the Social Economy in the MENA Region
The role of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in the process of job creation and formalisation of the informal economy has been understudied. This policy study aims to examine the issue of widespread youth employment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the mismatch between la...
Author : Philippe Adair; Vladimir Hlasny; Kareem Sharabi Rosshandler; Mariem Omrani
08 May 2022
A Decade of Hosting Syrian Refugees in Jordan - Lessons Learnt for Poland
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, approximately 6.5 million persons became internally displaced and over 4 million fled to neighbouring countries, predominantly to Poland. Given the country’s lack of experience in welcoming such a large number of refugees, the present article proposes a set of...
Author : Katarzyna Sidło and Marah Jamous
28 Mar 2022
Scaling up renewable energy and energy efficiency for public facilities in a refugee-hosting country: The case of schools and hospitals in Jordan
This white paper demonstrates that a coordinated effort to take a people‐centred approach to retrofitting and solarizing public buildings can bring national wellbeing, humanitarian and economic gains. The findings and recommendations are the culmination of a series of inter-ministry discussions and ...
Author : Glada Lahn, Eng. Lama Gharaibeh, Dr Majd Al-Naber, Nour Al-Najjar, Reem AlHaddadin, and Dr Sahar Jreisat
24 Mar 2022
Jordanian Young Analysts: Refugees and Forced Migrants - Jordanian Youth Policy Perspectives
These policy papers are part of the project entitled «Jordan-EU Dialogue on Human Security Issues» implemented jointly by the West Asia-North Africa Institute (WANA) and the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS) – Jordan Office. The aim of the project is to raise awareness on the issues of importance and ...
01 Feb 2022
Bans, Restrictions, and Missed Opportunities in Jordan: 3D Printing and Drone Technology
This study seeks to estimate the opportunity lost to Jordan’s economy owing to the regulations governing two cross-cutting ICT technologies, commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) and 3D printers. In an effort to assess how restricted access to new technologies – namely 3D printers and drones ...
24 Oct 2021
Women Working in the Agricultural Sector within the Northern Jordan Valley District: Realities and Challenges
The paper was designed to study the reality of women's work in the agricultural sector within Tabqat Fahl municipality, including: The nature and conditions of the work; the challenges facing women and how they affect them. Thus, it aimed to provide solutions and recommendations to decision makers f...
21 Oct 2021
Labour Market Inclusion of Persons with Mobility Disability, in Kasbat Irbid
Work is central to people’s well-being. Due to the importance of work in improving the lives of persons with disability and its role in obtaining their rights to economic participation, achieving their independence, equal opportunities, and improving their lives and those of their families, which l...
20 Oct 2021
Media Monitoring of the Rights of People with Disabilities in the Jordanian Official Newspapers
This paper aims to clarify the extent of the official written media commitment, especially Al-Rai newspaper and Al-Dustour, to tackle the 'rights' of persons with disabilities correctly based on the human rights approach. The paper also aims at shedding light on the extent to which media organisatio...
20 Oct 2021
Women Working in Micro Enterprises in Kasbat Al-Mafraq: Reality and Challenges
This paper aimed to identify the reality of micro income-generation enterprises run by women in the Kasbat Al- Mafraq, by identifying the nature of the enterprises run by the women, and highlighting the difficulties faced by these women entrepreneurs, and then providing solutions and recommendations...
19 Oct 2021
Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the “livelihoods” of Syrian refugees in Jordan
Through the lens and voices of syrian refugees in Jordan, the policy brief highlights how covid19 affected their livelihoods, especially access to water (already scarce) & education, despite efforts to mitigate the impact. The brief provides recommendations to alleviate the conditions of the ref...
Author : Reem Alhaddadin
18 Oct 2021
Cyberbullying: Online Violence Against Women during COVID-19 Pandemic, in Irbid Governorate
This paper aims to shed light on cyberbullying practiced against women during the Covid-19 pandemic, through the social media platform Facebook. The research aimed to identify the methods of cyberbullying that were practiced against women; its causes, forms and effects during the pandemic, the paper...
06 Sep 2021
Tracing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Jordanian Civic Education Curriculum
This study aims to identify the extent to which the rights of persons with disability are included in the Jordanian curriculum, specifically the curriculum of national and civic education in the basic stage of grades 4-10 based on the Law No. 20 of 2017 on the Rights of Persons with Disability, whic...
Author : Hayat Al-Shoubaki
26 Aug 2021
From Refugee to Restaurateur: A Syrian Entrepreneur’s Route to Success in Jordan
Ten years have passed since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict, and it “remains the world’s largest refugee crisis.” After a decade of continuously hosting Syrians in Jordan, today they form 10 per cent of the Jordanian population. Making Jordan the second host country of refugees per capita in the...
Author : Marah Jamous
15 Aug 2021
Stateless: A Refugee Success Story
This policy brief highlights the social, procedural, and financial difficulties facing refugees, especially Gazans in Jordan, through the story of the entrepreneur Mohammad. He is a Palestinian refugee living in the Gaza Camp who is directly affected by the lack of documentation.
Author : Samer Fakhoury
04 Jul 2021
The Story of a Soap
This policy brief sheds light on refugee entrepreneurship in Jordan inspired by a success story of a Syrian refugee entrepreneur. It provides an analysis of the context and challenges she faced on her way to entrepreneurship. The brief puts forward key policy-recommendations responding to these chal...
Author : Rawa'a Moumar