Happy to be back in Amman for the second round of the Celebrate your Local Jane Jacobs initiative, where I joined participants from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, and Lebanon in a workshop focused on community-led action and social impact. The first day brought together a rich range of initiatives addressing urgent local challenges across the region, while also opening space for exchange between participants working in very different contexts.
The projects presented reflected an inspiring diversity of approaches, from supporting street children and remote rural and Bedouin communities to strengthening women’s livelihoods through heritage, agriculture, and local development. The round concluded with three outstanding winners: Dr. Abla El Badry (Egypt), Hafida El Falahy (Morocco), and Aysheh Alhawatmah Al Hawatmeh (Jordan). Their work stood out for its relevance, community engagement, impact, and sustainability, as well as their perseverance in the face of institutional, financial, and cultural challenges.
Know more about the initiative and participants’ work here.
Amir Gohar, PhD. FHEA. AMLI. 