Community-Centered Policy Design and Engagement

Edmaaj delivered Phase I of the Corporate Diplomacy (CD) Training under the USAID Makanati Program in Jordan. The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of local committee members—including government representatives, private sector actors, CSOs, and community leaders—to build trust and facilitate collaboration between private sector firms, local communities, and public institutions.

The training focused on a range of critical topics, including stakeholder mapping and analysis, engagement planning, risk and reputation management, negotiation and advocacy skills, acquiring social licenses, and influencing policy change. Edmaaj designed and delivered training materials tailored for in-person delivery and conducted outreach across diverse sectors. A total of 244 participants engaged in the training sessions held across Jordan, and surveys were administered to collect feedback and assess outcomes.

Edmaaj supported the capacity development of 25 civil society organizations (CSOs) from Yemen to design and implement impactful advocacy campaigns. The campaigns addressed key thematic areas including access to education, protection of civic space, climate change, and transitional justice. In addition to a comprehensive training program delivered in Amman, Edmaaj provided tailored mentorship and coaching sessions to guide each CSO in formulating effective advocacy strategies aligned with their local priorities and contexts.

Edmaaj provided youth advocacy and training support for Plan International to empower young people, CSOs, and Scout Leaders in Jordan. The project aimed to enhance access to education, employment opportunities, and protection through targeted advocacy and capacity-building efforts.

Key activities included the development and delivery of advocacy training modules, facilitation of interactive training workshops, and provision of tailored capacity-building support. Edmaaj conducted a desk review, stakeholder mapping, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) to inform content design and engagement strategies. Feedback collected throughout the process was used to refine training approaches and advocacy tools. The project strengthened the ability of youth and community leaders to design and lead impactful advocacy initiatives.

Edmaaj led the development of a Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) National Strategy for the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) in Jordan, with funding support of the CBM. The strategy aimed to promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in social, economic, and political life through a five-year national framework grounded in CBID principles.

Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive desk review and led inclusive data collection, including KIIs with government and service providers, FGDs with persons with disabilities, caregivers, CSOs, and OPDs, and participatory workshops with stakeholders from ministries, the private sector, and international partners. Activities spanned multiple regions to ensure contextual relevance and diversity of input.

The final deliverables included a national CBID Strategy, an operational action plan, and an M&E framework aligned with international best practices and Jordan’s national priorities.

Edmaaj provided technical assistance for the “Qudra 2 – Resilience for Refugees, IDPs, Returnees, and Host Communities” project, implemented by AECID in response to the protracted Syrian and Iraqi crises. The project aimed to strengthen the capacities of local governmental institutions and civil society organizations by ensuring that Local Development Units (LDUs) developed responsive and inclusive work plans in six municipalities: Basilieh, Sarhan, Hosha, Mafraq Great Municipalities, Rihab, and Manshiah Bani Hassan.

Edmaaj applied a participatory approach to ensure alignment with community needs. The consultancy included a desk review of national and international documents, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), CSOs/CBOs, and international partners such as Italian NGOs and non-government agencies. Based on the collected data and stakeholder feedback, Edmaaj submitted a final report with actionable recommendations validated by AECID to support inclusive local development planning.

Edmaaj developed a Digital Transformation and Digital Identity Manual for Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) as part of the Naumann TechTalk Project. The manual was designed to support civil society organizations (CSOs) and individuals in Jordan in understanding and adopting digital transformation practices, while building secure and functional digital identities.

The manual covers key topics such as the principles of digital transformation, implementation strategies within CSOs, digital identity development, cybersecurity, and global best practices. Edmaaj conducted research and content development, creating detailed step-by-step guidance supported by real-world case studies and practical tools.

To ensure usability and relevance, Edmaaj collaborated closely with FNF to align the manual with organizational goals and audience needs. The final product is a user-friendly, comprehensive guide that contributes to the digital readiness and resilience of civil society in Jordan.

Edmaaj conducted a Target Audience Analysis for Friedrich Naumann Stiftung (FNF) to define and better engage uneducated youth and three additional sub-target groups in Jordan. The assignment aimed to identify key challenges facing each group and develop sustainable, audience-specific solutions to inform FNF’s outreach and programming strategies.

The process began with an extensive desk review of secondary sources to map the social, economic, and behavioural dimensions of the target audiences. Edmaaj facilitated key informant interviews (KIIs) with FNF team members to incorporate internal insights and field experience. Youth-focused workshops were conducted to support problem analysis and persona identification.

Based on the findings, Edmaaj developed four detailed Persona Maps, each representing a distinct sub-target group, along with an analysis of their challenges, motivators, and barriers. The final deliverable included a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to enhance FNF’s engagement strategies and messaging frameworks.

Edmaaj provided targeted training to strengthen the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the co-creation and co-implementation of national action plans under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) framework. Delivered in partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the training aimed to enhance CSO engagement with government actors and promote more transparent, participatory governance.

Edmaaj developed a tailored training curriculum covering core topics such as stakeholder engagement, co-creation methodologies, and mechanisms for effective collaboration between CSOs and public institutions. Workshops provided CSOs with practical tools and strategies for meaningful participation in OGP processes.

The training was informed by feedback from participants and adapted to the specific needs of the Moroccan context. It contributed to building the capacity of local organizations to take an active role in shaping and monitoring OGP commitments.

Edmaaj conducted a comprehensive mapping and capacity assessment of NGOs, INGOs, and CBOs working in the fields of solid waste management and women’s economic empowerment in Jordan. Commissioned by UNDP, the assignment aimed to identify organizational gaps, assess capacity needs, and explore opportunities for collaboration and targeted support.

The assessment included national-level mapping of NGOs and INGOs across Jordan’s 12 governorates, alongside a local-level assessment of CBOs in Northern Shouneh and Kourah districts. Edmaaj evaluated the technical and institutional capacities of these organizations and developed a ranking tool to identify priority partners for future programming.

Data collection involved a desk review and virtual interviews using the Capacity Assessment Tool (CAT) and the Institutional Capacity Assessment Tool (ICAT). The final report included tailored capacity development recommendations and a proposed support program to strengthen the operational performance and strategic positioning of mapped organizations.

Edmaaj delivered a structured capacity-building programme to strengthen the role of grassroots civil society organizations (CBOs) in advancing social cohesion in Zarqa Governorate. The assignment was implemented for the “We Participate” initiative and targeted 10 local CBOs through a combination of training, consultation, and technical support.

The program included a two-day training on needs assessment and research to help CBOs map stakeholders and produce evidence-based reports. This was followed by a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) to build the leadership and facilitation skills of female leaders engaged in social cohesion work. A three-day training supported CBOs in designing and managing community-based initiatives, including goal setting, planning, and impact evaluation. In addition, a one-day session on financial and administrative management of sub-grants equipped participants with tools for compliance and accountability.

Throughout the project, Edmaaj provided tailored consultation services to guide project design and implementation. This support enabled participating CBOs to apply their learning directly and lead sustainable, community-driven social cohesion efforts.