Training for Change: Empowering Civil Society to Advocate Policies

Background

In order for civil society organisations to use their platform to help solve environmental issues, it requires greater efforts in capacitating them with relevant technical and social tools, knowledge, and skills. This two-year, EU funded project aims to build the capacity of 7 chosen Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and 2 co-applicant organisations based in the northern and southern governorates of the Kingdom. Training is provided over a period of 8 months followed by 10 months of monitoring and mentoring the CBOs’ implementation of a sub-granted activity.

During the first 8 months, the CBOs will be provided with extensive training on various topics with an aim to empower, develop, and increase their knowledge of the following:

CBOs’ rights as well as national and international environmental agreements;
local environmental challenges;
quantitative and qualitative research;
research analysis and policy advocacy;
grant proposal writing.

The result of this 8- month activity is 7 concrete grant proposals written by the CBOs that offer solutions to environmental problems and challenges at the governorate level. The proposals are then evaluated and supported for implementation through a sub-granted activity that lasts over 10 months.

Moreover, during the second year of the project, an online map is designed and developed, listing a network of Jordanian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). The overall aim of building this platform is to bring together a network of Jordan’s CSOs, making sure all are visually represented on the national CSO landscape. The tool serves the following purposes: (a) it provides a Geographic Information Systems-based map locating all of Jordan’s estimated 6,540 CSOs, colour-coding them according to a scheme of CBOs, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs); (b) provides a brief account of CSOs’ fields of activity; (c) provides a database for CFPs with short Arabic summaries of objectives and target applicants.

Goal: Strengthen the Technical, Administrative, and Financial Skills of the CBOs for Sustainable Results

Call for Consultants (1)- Narrative and Financial Proposals

Call for Consultants (2)- Narrative and Financial Proposals

Call for Consultants (3)- Narrative and Financial Proposals

Call for Consultants (4)- Narrative and Financial Proposals

Country

Jordan

Focus Area

Sustainable Development

Start date

01 Feb 2020

End date

30 Jun 2022

Funded by

European Union

Project Beneficiaries:

The project targets 7 CBOs, 4 CBOs in the southern governorates of Aqaba, Karak, Tafilah, and Ma’an, and 3 CBOs in the northern governorates of Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash, and Mafraq. Each CBO nominates 3 employees to undertake training for 18 months. Interested CBOs apply through tender and an online application. Based on a pre-designed selection criteria, a committee will be responsible for choosing the best CBOs to meet the pre-determined criteria.

Selection Criteria:

A CBO located in the northern or southern governorates of Jordan.
A CBO that provides a variety of services in sectors such as: environment, education, economy, and social development.
A CBO that caters to at least 100 constituents within their community.
A CBO that employs at least three full staff members.
A CBO that has has solid representation of youth and women staff members.
A CBO that previously implemented at least one environmental project or initiative that addressed climate change, environmental challenges, or sustainable development.
A CBO that has previous demonstrated experience in managing grants.

Project Partners:

Intermediaries Change Center for Sustainable Development (Ajloun governorate) and
Al-Khansa for Social Development (Tafileh governorate)

Project Partners’ Responsibilities:

Each project partner nominates two staff members to work closely with the WANA Institute: a Financial and Administrative Coordinator as well as a Field Coordinator. They are responsible for the following:

Participating in the dissimenation of the project tender and application.
Participating in writing CBO selection criteria.
Taking part in the CBO selection committee.
Coordinating project trainings (administrative and financial) and ensuring the compliance of all attendees (selected CBOs).
Assisting the CBOs in registering their data on the CSO online platform (map).

Project Overview:

First Year:

The following trainings are provided:

Domestic and International Environmental Laws and Obligations:
Highlighting Jordan’s environmental profile, specifically its main environmental challenges, the milestones it has set for itself according to its international obligations, civic and governmental initiatives underway attempting to tackle climate change in the Kingdom, and existing laws governing environmental practice.

Methodologies for Designing Advocacy Plans and Gaining Support:
Strengthen the role of civil society in advocating for environmental issues that affect the community at large and women and youth in particular.

Scientific Research Skills in Analysing and Presenting Environmental Problems:
Training the project beneficiaries in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

Data and Information Analysis:
Providing the project beneficiaries with various scientific and practical research methods to build stronger and holistic environmental solutions.

Writing Grant Proposals:
Training the project beneficiaries in proposal writing to address and recommend solutions to their local environmental challenges.

Second Year:

Review grant proposals and imburse the 7 selected CBOs with sub-grants (15,000-25,000 Euro) to enable them to implement their proposed projects.

Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the proposed concepts throughout the project cycle- to be done by the WANA team.

Build a database and map network of Jordanian CSOs to be launched at a closing ceremony.