It is a community radio station that aims to create societal dialogue using social media and community media to address the social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental challenges faced by youth, women, marginalized groups, and areas within the governorate. It raises awareness about human rights concepts, the Sustainable Development Goals, and community participation in achieving them. The station promotes the values of dialogue, youth engagement in public affairs, decision-making mechanisms, good governance, and accountability, while opening channels of communication between citizens and decision-makers.
“Sawt Ajloun Podcast” is a community podcast that reflects the concerns and aspirations of the people of Ajloun Governorate, especially youth, women, and marginalized groups, through interactive dialogue episodes focusing on social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental issues.
The podcast aims to create a safe conversational space that promotes human rights, good governance, and community participation, and contributes to opening channels of communication between citizens and decision-makers.
By hosting experts, activists, and stories from the local reality, “Sawt Ajloun” seeks to build critical awareness, spread a culture of accountability, and support efforts to achieve sustainable development goals in rural and marginalized communities.
This space aims to empower rural youth to express themselves and address topics related to social justice, gender equality, and women’s participation in economic and political life in rural communities.
It offers learning and training opportunities in filmmaking and digital media techniques, helping to raise awareness of community issues and promote positive change through media.
In light of the economic and social challenges facing youth in local communities, and based on the vision of the Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development to empower individuals and build their capacities, the Entrepreneurship Space was launched as one of the pioneering initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering youth, women, and entrepreneurs at various stages of their projects.
This space serves as an incubator for ideas and emerging ventures, offering a stimulating environment for learning, innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among ambitious young people. It provides participants with access to educational resources, specialized training, technical and administrative consultations, and local and regional support networks — all contributing to transforming ideas into sustainable projects with social and economic impact.
وتتجلى أهمية “مساحة ريادي الأعمال” في تعزيز ثقافة الريادة والعمل الحر، واحتضان الطاقات الإبداعية، خاصة في المناطق المهمشة، بما يتماشى مع أهداف التنمية المستدامة، لا سيما تلك المتعلقة بالتعليم الجيد، العمل اللائق، والحد من أوجه عدم المساواة.
The Safe Rural Youth Political Space was launched in 2024 out of our deep belief that rural youth are not on the margins of decision-making, but rather active partners in shaping public policies at both the national and local levels. These young people possess a profound awareness of their communities’ issues and deserve a free and safe space where their voices are heard and their presence in positions of influence is strengthened.
This space brings together a group of young leaders and activists from the rural areas of Ajloun Governorate who are genuinely passionate about change and public engagement. It is a platform that promotes rural political participation, offering tools for knowledge, training, and dialogue, helping to elevate youth voices from passive recipients to active agents of change, and affirming their roles as true leaders for a more just and effective future.
Through the “Safe Rural Youth Political Space”, the Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development is committed to supporting and providing all necessary resources to empower youth in rural communities, enabling their effective participation in shaping public policies and building a more inclusive and just future.
There are countless stories of women striving to save their communities from the deep-rooted suffering of discrimination, exclusion, deprivation, inequality, economic stagnation, unemployment, and poverty. From this reality emerged the urgency to establish the “Rural Women’s Forum – Equal Movement in the Countryside.” We believe that the mobilization of civil society—especially women—is an urgent step toward institutionalizing feminist action in rural areas, advocating for women’s rights, and confronting the violence, discrimination, and exclusion that are systematically practiced against women in many rural communities.
Founded in 2020, Equal Movement has taken it upon itself to amplify the voices of those who have none, and to create a sense of solidarity among rural communities in their pursuit of change—toward justice, equality, and the adoption of human rights standards that place the priorities of rural women on the agenda of local and national policymakers. This vision is rooted in international frameworks of rights and human dignity.
As we reflect on the heavy reality of change, crises, resistance, and conflict in the Arab region, we remain committed to resilience and adaptability in the face of these shifting dynamics. We aim to mobilize national and international solidarity to sustain our collective feminist work and shared achievements for rural women. In the next three years, we seek to deepen, develop, and strengthen the rural feminist movement despite the intersecting challenges faced by civil society and women—under conditions of power dominance, violence, fragility, conflict, and instability, all of which have made women more vulnerable to violations, marginalization, and injustice.
Between 2020 and 2024, we have implemented fearless interventions, published research, policy briefs, and analyses on the intersections of gender, justice, and equality in rural areas. We have championed bold feminist agendas in coalition spaces—particularly in local feminist politics. We now aim to take this momentum to new heights, propelled by the rural feminist struggle for gender justice—toward the sustainability of this movement and toward the recognition of women as equal partners in development, political decision-making, partisan work, and local governance based on justice and equality.
We strive to sustain solidarity and cooperation with our partners and donors to finance our interventions aimed at ending violence, discrimination, and exclusion faced by women in rural and marginalized areas—places in urgent need of response and protection. These efforts are essential to safeguarding the future of rural women and eliminating all forms of discrimination, violence, and exclusion.
Cultural and Arts Creativity Space
The Cultural and Arts Creativity Space is one of the vital spaces within the Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development. It aims to empower youth, women, and emerging artists to express themselves through various arts such as theater, music, painting, photography, and creative writing. The space functions as an open platform to nurture talents, develop skills, promote freedom of expression, and link culture with community development.
The space implements a variety of programs and events including art workshops, cultural evenings, exhibitions, and community festivals, alongside awareness-raising artistic performances and short films addressing social and environmental issues. It also provides a safe environment for dialogue and cultural exchange among different segments of society, contributing to the preservation of local cultural heritage with a contemporary spirit.
This space has made a tangible impact in enhancing cultural and community participation and has successfully highlighted young talents at both local and national levels. It has also helped integrate art as a tool for sustainable development and community peacebuilding through fruitful partnerships with cultural, educational, and media institutions inside and outside Ajloun Governorate.
Among the most notable artistic activities organized by the Cultural and Arts Creativity Space at the Intermediaries of Change Center was the musical concert of Maestro Tarek Al-Nasser held at Ajloun Castle in celebration of the International Music Day. This event represented a unique artistic experience in the heart of one of the most prominent historical landmarks in the governorate. The space also organized a distinctive musical event titled “Voices that Unite Us… Mediterranean Day – Third Edition,” celebrating “Mediterranean Day,” which brought together artists and youth from diverse cultural backgrounds in a framework of shared creativity and cultural dialogue. These events embody the center’s vision of utilizing the arts as a bridge for encounter and dialogue, strengthening cultural identity and community belonging.
This safe space serves as a vital platform dedicated to providing psychological, social, and artistic support for women survivors of violence. It is one of the essential spaces within the Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development. The space aims to restore the dignity of abused women and empower them to overcome the effects of traumatic experiences through a supportive environment that fosters recovery and personal empowerment, especially in light of the challenges women face in local communities, particularly in rural and marginalized areas.
The space offers comprehensive psychological support programs, including individual and group sessions with specialists in psychological and social counseling. It also includes therapeutic art activities used as tools for expression and healing, such as drawing, writing, theater, and handicrafts. Additionally, it provides professional and artistic training that helps build women’s capacities and equips them with employable skills or freelancing opportunities, opening new horizons for economic independence and sustainable recovery.
The space also focuses on raising awareness about the rights and laws that protect women from violence through educational sessions and awareness workshops conducted in partnership with lawyers and experts in gender issues. It encourages women to reclaim their social roles by creating a participatory and safe environment that helps build mutual support networks and enhances the sense of belonging and empowerment. Moreover, the space strives to break the silence and confront the stigma associated with gender-based violence.
This space represents a comprehensive model for recovery and empowerment, combining psychological support, artistic and economic rehabilitation, and relying on a holistic and humane approach that considers the needs of women at different stages. The space has contributed to enabling many survivor women to rebuild their lives with confidence and independence, making each participant’s story one of change, resilience, and renewed hope.
“My Municipality, How Are You?” is one of the prominent community media platforms adopted by Sawt Ajloun Radio in partnership with local municipalities, as part of efforts to enhance communication between local authorities and the community. The program aims to create an open and transparent space for direct dialogue between citizens and municipal council members, reflecting the spirit of participatory democracy and promoting the principles of transparency and accountability.
The program is based on a clear vision to enhance community participation in local decision-making and to achieve effective partnership between the municipality and citizens in line with modern approaches to local governance rooted in transparency and openness. It works to build bridges of trust and effective communication between decision-makers and citizens, transforming the voice of the citizen into an effective tool for evaluating and improving the quality of municipal services.
The program is regularly broadcast on Sawt Ajloun Community Radio, coinciding with municipal council meetings or through special dialogue sessions. During these sessions, mayors and council members, as well as representatives of civil society and local activists, are invited. The dialogues are conducted professionally, respecting diverse opinions and opening the door for direct popular participation.
Citizens participate via phone calls, social media, or in-person attendance at some sessions, enhancing interaction and giving the program a vibrant community character.
Since its launch in 2019, the program has had a tangible impact in strengthening trust between citizens and municipal councils. It has contributed to raising citizens’ awareness of their monitoring and participatory role. It has also helped improve the quality of some municipal services following recommendations made by participants and communicated to the municipality through the program.
Thanks to this program, municipal council sessions have become more open and receptive to accountability and feedback, helping to cement a culture of good governance at the local level.
Within the shared vision of empowering youth and building their capacities in the fields of media and sustainable development, both the Intermediaries of Change Center for Sustainable Development and Ajloun Community Radio have launched a series of fellowship and training programs targeting young people, community activists, and those interested in the media field. The aim is to enhance their active participation in their communities’ issues and equip them with tools for influence and change.
These programs stem from the importance of investing in local youth energies and strengthening their roles in community media and social change-making. The main objectives of the programs focus on:
Enabling trainees with practical skills in radio media, community project planning, and local leadership.
Transferring the accumulated knowledge and experience gained by the Center and the Radio through years of community work.
Promoting values of active citizenship, participation, dialogue, transparency, and accountability.
Graduating qualified young cadres who can effectively contribute to the development of the local community and work in media and development institutions.
The fellowship and training programs provided by Ajloun Radio and the Intermediaries of Change Center represent a vital model for building youth capacities in media and development, emphasizing the importance of investing in human resources as the first step toward a more aware, engaged, and just society.
Efforts continue to expand and develop these programs to include a larger number of participants, opening doors to creativity and impact at both local and national levels.
The “Voices for Democracy” project aims to enhance the participation of youth and women in decision-making processes and to promote participatory democratic governance in rural areas. The project focuses on empowering target groups to influence local policies, contributing to sustainable development in rural communities.
The “Rural Women: A Voice of Political Importance” project aims to enhance the participation of rural women in parliamentary elections and ensure the inclusion of gender-responsive development priorities in electoral programs. The project focuses on motivating rural women to actively engage in political life, whether through candidacy or voting.
Enhancing the participation of rural women in parliamentary elections. Integrating gender priorities into electoral programs.
Organizing training workshops to raise awareness about electoral rights and mechanisms of political participation. Developing electoral programs that take into account the priorities of rural women. Enhancing communication with decision-makers to strengthen the role of women in political life.
Increasing the participation of rural women in parliamentary elections. Improving electoral programs to include gender priorities and sustainable development.
It is a project launched in Ajloun Governorate, Jordan, by the Change Makers Center for Sustainable Development, in cooperation with Ajloun Voice Radio and the German Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. The project aims to enhance the political and developmental participation of youth in rural areas.
Building the capacities of young men and women in rural areas through specialized training programs. Enhancing youth political and civic participation in decision-making processes. Supporting political reforms at the national level.
Organizing training workshops under the title “Young Leaders Academy,” where participants are trained in skills such as political communication, speech building, and dialogue management. Holding dialogue sessions with representatives of political parties and decision-makers. Raising awareness about political party laws, electoral laws, and party diversity.
Empowering youth to actively participate in political life. Promoting local development by involving rural communities in decision-making. Supporting youth rights to be represented in leadership positions.
This project represents an important step toward achieving fair civic participation and participatory democratic governance in Jordan.
The “Political Participation for a Better Future for Rural Women” project aims to increase political participation opportunities for rural women and strengthen their role in accessing decision-making positions within the 19th Parliament (2020 elections). The project also seeks to enhance rural women’s involvement in public policy-making, contributing to sustainable political development in rural areas.
Increasing political participation opportunities for rural women in parliamentary elections. Enhancing the role of rural women in public policy-making. Supporting women who wish to run for parliamentary elections.
Conducting training workshops for women interested in running for elections, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills. Organizing dialogue sessions with the local community and decision-makers to highlight the importance of women’s participation in political life. Developing gender-sensitive development plans to guide government policies and programs in support of rural women.
Increasing the number of women participating in parliamentary elections. Enhancing the role of rural women in public policy-making. Raising local community awareness about the importance of women’s participation in political life and their role in decision-making.
The “Youth for Women’s Political Participation” project aims to enhance women’s political participation opportunities in Ajloun Governorate, with a focus on empowering them to reach decision-making positions at the municipal level. The project seeks to enable women to run for municipal elections and actively contribute to local governance.
Increasing women’s political participation in municipal elections. Enhancing women’s role in decision-making at the municipal level. Supporting female candidates in municipal elections through training and preparation.
Holding dialogue sessions with the local community and decision-makers to raise awareness about the importance of women’s participation in political life. Organizing training workshops for women and youth on their political rights and the mechanisms of candidacy and voting. Developing gender-sensitive development plans to promote women’s participation in political life.
Increasing the number of women participating in municipal elections. Enhancing women’s role in local decision-making within the municipalities of Ajloun Governorate. Raising local community awareness about the importance of women’s participation in political life and their vital role in managing municipal affairs.
The “Voices for Rural Development” project aims to empower young men and women in Ajloun Governorate by building their capacities in community media and training them to address gender issues in effective and impactful ways. The project serves as a platform for youth engagement in community development through media, by launching a community radio station called “Ajloun Voice Radio.”
Building the capacities of young men and women in community media and empowering them with effective tools of expression. Raising awareness about gender issues and the challenges faced by women in rural areas. Supporting youth participation in addressing and highlighting community issues through media platforms.
Organizing training workshops for young men and women on the fundamentals and techniques of community media. Providing specialized training courses on analyzing and addressing gender issues in media. Launching a local community radio station, “Ajloun Voice Radio,” to serve as a platform for youth to express themselves and highlight issues in their communities.
Training 100 young men and women in community media skills and related professional practices. Increasing community awareness of gender issues through purposeful and inclusive media content. Providing a free and community-based platform that enables youth to express their opinions and contribute to solving societal challenges through media.
The “Mubadroon” project aims to promote the development of community initiatives to address social challenges in Jordan, by supporting individuals and social institutions in providing social solutions and services to reduce poverty and empower target groups, especially youth and women, to actively participate in the formal economic system. The project is implemented by the Plan International office in Jordan in partnership with several institutions, and is funded by the European Union – European Development Fund. The Change Agents Center for Sustainable Development has played the role of the official incubator for these projects in Ajloun Governorate, hosting 14 projects with funding ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 euros per project, thereby contributing to the promotion of social entrepreneurship and the development of local capacities in support of sustainable development.
Empowering youth and women to build sustainable social projects. Supporting integration into the formal economy by providing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Strengthening local institutions to enhance social entrepreneurship.
Providing training in entrepreneurship and business management.Providing grants and technical support for 14 projects in Ajloun.Facilitating communication and community dialogue.
14 community projects were supported (€20,000–€40,000 per project). More job opportunities were provided for youth and women. Enhancing the community’s capacity to achieve sustainable development.
