Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF)

JONAF was established in 2016 by ARDD and  non-governmental civil society organizations (CSOs),  community-based organizations (CBOs), experts, and media activists from different regions of the Kingdom.

The coalition also work together in tandem of government officials and decision makers at both the national and local levels.

Together we stand at the forefront of the humanitarian response and development efforts in Jordan and with a diverse set of programs serve the needs of vulnerable refugee communities – be they Syrian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Sudanese, Somali or other – as well as to those of the Jordanian host communities who are most impacted by the effects of the conflicts and crises in Jordan’s neighboring countries.

What Do We Do?

The Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF) facilitates coordination among members by identifying strategic issues of concern, advocating for common positions with a unified and consistent voice, engaging and representing members with external stakeholders and sharing information. JONAF provides a joint platform to facilitate our members’ work and help members to efficiently and effectively address key issues of common interest. These interests are interrelated and aim to enhance the practices and roles between members to achieve a better delivery of aid, accountability, and efficiency.

JONAF’s Overall Objective:

JONAF aims to activate the localization and decentralization of humanitarian and development work, and to emphasize the role of women as an active player in security and peace.

JONAF’s specific objectives

1. Make the “localization of humanitarian and development work” a clear approach and a strategic goal for donors and the United Nations.
2. Putting the charter “for change” and “grand bargain” principles into practice.
3. Seek to include the methodology of “decentralization” not only in planning, but also in implementing relief and development efforts and involving national actors in all stages of responding to crises.
4. Building an equal partnership between international NGOs and their local counterparts.
5. Reviewing domestic and international policies, especially those related to financing, to ensure the success and sustainability of efforts made.

JONAF’s Main Areas of Work

JONAF Work Mechanisms

1.Coordination and Representation:

•  Coordinating intervention efforts and focus on refugee and migration issues between members in Jordan and representing members before regional and international actors and stakeholders including the international donor community

2. Advocacy Efforts:

• Advocating for equal treatment of national actors in the humanitarian response and long-term development efforts in Jordan.
• Highlighting the importance of national actors taking on a role in designing aid efforts from the very beginning based on their unique knowledge and experience, rather than functioning as mere implementers and service providers.
• Streamlining efforts for the effective implementation of the Jordanian National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325.

3.Knowledge exchange and capacity building for members:

• Engaging in mutual knowledge and skills exchange efforts among the members of the Forum to build the capacity of all and enhance intervention programs.

Why a “Jordan National NGOs Forum”?

Over the past several years there has been much talk in the international community about localization of development and humanitarian efforts. In 2017, a number of national and international NGOs developed the Charter for Change, which highlights that, “Now is the time for humanitarian actors to make good on some of the excellent recommendations by committing themselves to deliver change within their own organizational ways of working so that southern-based national actors can play an increased and more prominent role in humanitarian response”. As national civil society and governmental actors who stand at the front line of the humanitarian response and long-term development efforts in Jordan, we strongly condone this charter.

JONAF advocates for the localization of aid and equal treatment of national actors in the humanitarian response and long-term development efforts in Jordan. Localization can only truly happen when national actors are taken seriously at both the research and analysis phases of tackling some of the most pressing challenges our world faces today. It is only when this happens that national actors will feel that localization has actually been achieved.

In addition to advocating for more attention and equal treatment of national actors, it is necessary to bring national players to the planning and decision-making table and not just the response table so that the deep knowledge of their communities and government is taken into account from the beginning. This includes enhancing the protection of women during times of conflict; global actors must decentralize decisions to allow for local experts, quick responses, and the sustainability of aid efforts. JONAF calls for equal partnerships between INGOs and LNGOs in emergency and development response including decentralizing relief planning in favor of local partnerships for context-driven, multi-stage, long term sustainable interventions.

UNSCR 1325 cannot be implemented without first achieving localization and decentralization. UNSCR 1325 was passed in 2000 to protect women from violence by involving them in peace and security operations. Six additional complementary resolutions have since been passed by the UN Security Council to build on its stipulations and help develop the policy framework and promote positive norms. However, despite its existence since 2000, the resolution has not been adequately activated equally around the globe, particularly in Jordan. Both the government and local agencies responsible for women’s rights require more understanding of its contents. Alongside decentralization, JONAF intends to step in to streamline and effectively implement the Jordanian National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325.

This is why now is the time to stand at the forefront of change and become active agents for meaningful localization by launching the first Jordanian National NGO Forum.

Structure and Membership:

Jordan NGO Forum Members have an equal voice in decision-making. Work is coordinated in form of thematic Working Groups, e.g.:

• Advocacy and Communications Working Group
• Government Liaison Working Group
• Membership Working Group

JONAF is currently comprised of 20 founding members covering geographically the central, northern and southern regions of the Kingdom of Jordan and work together in coordination with a group of experts, and (7) partners.